Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. raised a colossal 9m x 6m Seattle Sounders FC flag atop Seattle's iconic Space Needle on Friday 13 June, marking the club's entry into the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

The moment continued a proud tradition for the Emerald City — green-and-blue flags have flown from the 184-metre tower to celebrate the Sounders' 2019 MLS Cup triumph, their 2022 Concacaf Champions League victory, and Seattle's selection as a FIFA World Cup 2026 host city.

Griffey's message to Seattle

The Seattle Mariners legend did not hold back when describing the scale of the occasion. "It's one of the biggest things that happens," Griffey said. "Super Bowl, NBA titles, World Series — soon — and this. These things don't happen very often, and so this is a great opportunity to show the world that Seattle is a great place to come."

Seattle's Lumen Field will host six matches during the tournament, including the Sounders' three Group B fixtures against Botafogo on 15 June, Atlético de Madrid on 19 June, and Paris Saint-Germain on 23 June.

A once-in-a-lifetime moment for fans

The flag raising was the centrepiece of a wider series of celebrations the club and city are staging around the competition. Former player and club ambassador Brad Evans captured the mood: "Sounders fans have always supported the Seattle Sounders, bar none, since 1974. We've packed out stadiums since I can remember, and this is an opportunity that's going to come once in a lifetime."

Fellow Sounders veteran and club ambassador Steve Zakuani echoed that sentiment. "Football brings people together," Zakuani said. "So just come out there with your families and enjoy the game, and I think the boys could do with all the support they can get."

What's on in Seattle

On Sunday 15 June, the Sounders will partner with the NWSL's Seattle Reign FC, the RAVE Foundation, and Seattle's FIFA World Cup 2026 local organising committee in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the largest soccer lesson. Full-day fan fests at Occidental Park, public match viewings, and concerts will round out the festivities.

The expanded, 32-club FIFA Club World Cup kicked off in Miami on Saturday 14 June and features matches across 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. host cities. The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on 13 July. All matches are available to stream free on DAZN.com, with tickets on sale at FIFA.com/tickets.