Seattle prepares for potential World Series celebrations as Mariners near victory in ALCS

SEATTLE — As the Mariners edge closer to the World Series, the city is preparing for the potential for even more games to be hosted in Seattle should the Mariners make the World Series, with less than two weeks’ notice.

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Mayor Bruce Harrell revealed the city is prepared for crowd management, traffic control, and a potential, celebratory parade if the team advances. He said the city looks to what it’s done for large events of the past, like the 2014 Super Bowl that drew about 700,000 people to the downtown core, and the 2023 MLB All Star Week events in SODO.

“We have an ordinary strategy for removing encampments and offering people shelter and so that doesn’t change depending on the event,” Harrell said when asked about street clean-up and addressing homelessness. “We will make sure we’re sheltering people who are unsheltered, and we don’t want any health or safety issues to present itself because we’re going to have a lot of people here.”

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The Downtown Seattle Association is also making preparations, planning events for fans and families at Occidental Square ahead of the remaining ALCS home games, and again for the World Series, if necessary.

“We’re stepping up our game with activations and activities for families and all the fans, including giveaways and selfie locations, and wiffle ball may make a return,” DSA’s VP Public Realm and Ambassador of Operations Jennifer Casillas explained. “The more games we have in Seattle, the foot traffic just keeps increasing in the Pioneer Square neighborhood, which of course, is closest to T-Mobile. It has seen an uptick- it’s 140% increase year over year from this time last year. I can only imagine, if we keep playing games, the increase will continue to rise.”

On Thursday at 2 p.m., Mayor Harrell will unveil a 40-foot Mariners banner at City Hall, followed by a public march to T-Mobile Park with the University of Washington marching band.