The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™, today released the Small Business Readiness Playbook: A Practical Guide for Mega Event Preparation in Washington State, a statewide resource developed with small businesses and community partners across Washington to support planning for large events and their long-term impacts.
Large global events like Seattle’s upcoming six FIFA World Cup 26™ matches, concerts, and festivals create important opportunities for small businesses. They can also create operational challenges that require advance planning and coordination. The Playbook provides practical, plain-language guidance to help businesses prepare, adapt, and make the most of these moments.
The Playbook reflects real-world experiences and lessons learned and it was developed through extensive engagement with small businesses, community partners, and state, county, and local agencies across Washington. The input from storefront businesses, service providers, freelancers, independent contractors, and solo entrepreneurs shaped both its content and format, and resulted in a resource designed to be accessible, relevant, and usable statewide.
The Playbook is organized around the full lifecycle of a major event, from early planning to day-of operations and post-event considerations. It includes readiness checklists, case studies, and clear explanations covering business operations, marketing and promotions, safety, and risk. While it includes 2026-specific guidance related to the FIFA World Cup, the Playbook is intentionally designed as a long-term resource that can be reused for future large-scale events.
“We approached this work by listening first,” said Vaughn Taylor, Vice President of Economic Development at the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “Small businesses told us what they wanted to understand better about large events and how guidance could be clearer and easier to use. This Playbook reflects what we heard and brings those insights together in one place.”
“Legacy isn’t just about infrastructure or programs—it’s about building tools that outlast the event itself and create ongoing value to our communities,” said Peter Tomozawa, CEO of SeattleFWC26. “This Playbook was shaped by small business owners who know what works, and it’s designed to serve communities across Washington long after the final whistle in 2026. We thank the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber for their tremendous leadership and partnership in preparing our region for the World Cup and beyond.”
“This Playbook was created for small businesses in cities, towns, and rural communities across Washington,” said Lynnette Buffington, Chief of Staff at the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “Our focus was on practical guidance that businesses can actually use, no matter their size, location, or experience with major events.”
The Small Business Readiness Playbook was created with small business advisors and community organizations to reflect the experiences of businesses across Washington. Its goal is to provide practical, easy-to-use guidance that helps small businesses feel informed and prepared before, during, and after major events. The Playbook is intended as a general planning resource and starting point for preparation, not as a comprehensive list of requirements or a substitute for official regulations or professional advice. Businesses should use the Playbook alongside other trusted information and make decisions based on their own circumstances and needs.
The Playbook is here.About the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce represents businesses of all sizes and industries and works to advance economic opportunity, support small businesses, and build a strong and inclusive economy across Washington state. For more mega event resources, visit www.seattlechamber.com/world-cup.
About Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ Local Organizing Committee
SeattleFWC26 is the local organizing committee for Seattle’s participation as one of the 16 host cities selected for the FIFA World Cup 26™. As a not-for-profit organization, SeattleFWC26’s vision is to foster a lasting legacy for our region, guided by the spirit of soccer, innovation, and inclusion. To keep up to date on the latest news and involvement opportunities with SeattleFWC26, please visit www.seattlefwc26.org.