June 2025 Topic of The Month: FIFA World Cup
Have you heard yet? Seattle is gearing up to host six FIFA World Cup matches next year. With what's expected to be the biggest ever World Cup happening right here in our city, we wanted to reflect on our own contributions to Seattle’s vibrant and growing soccer culture. Our team has had the honor of helping bring identity, energy, and purpose to some incredible soccer and sports-related spaces.
Rendering vs. Installation
Niketown Seattle
In 2015, we worked with Nike for their grand opening on bustling 6th and Pike - a prime example of energizing a space with the passion for sport.
Located in a prominent Seattle retail destination, the store was built to reflect Nike’s strong connection to local athletics. We created a standout neon installation, expanding across the ceiling at 12’ x 18’, suspended from a custom grid structure above the entrance. Fabricated with approximately 1,042 total feet of 15mm white exposed neon, it welcomed fans as soon as they entered their doors and was also visible outside from the busy intersection.
This custom design featured a collage of neon pieces including a Seattle-inspired jersey, hat, and area code. Although the Niketown store closed in 2023, this installation remains a memorable example of how design and sport can activate a space and connect with the community.
Ballard FC / Salmon Bay FC
Images provided by Ballard FC
In 2022, Ballard FC ignited a new era of community-focused soccer in Seattle with its semi-professional men’s team. That momentum carried into 2025 with the launch of Salmon Bay FC, a pre-professional women’s team committed to the same neighborhood pride. We worked closely with their team to design a complete signage package for their stadium that captured that local energy and was cohesive to their identity and brands, while also showcasing their sponsors. Because Interbay Stadium is shared by multiple teams, the signage elements were designed to be easily swappable, allowing for seamless transitions between games while preserving each identity.
This comprehensive package included the following:
Fifteen Sponsor Signs: Structural A-frame units, both 16’x4’ and 8’x4, with Correx panel faces digitally printed with sponsor logo vinyl applied with satin laminate. Attached and swappable using Velcro strips.
Two Mesh Goal Banners: 24’x3’ for the fence mount behind the west goal, digitally printed in their brand colors and grommets for installation between games.
One Inflatable Archway: 20’x13’ with colored section both in Ballard FC and Salmon Bay branding colors.
Two Bleacher Signs: 39’x4’ digitally printed fabric banners mounted to fence on back of grandstand.
Reuben’s Brews Garden Signs: A set of 3 dibond panels installed on an existing beer garden fence.
Two Swappable Scoreboard Signs: Custom made from 6mm Correx panels with full digital print and satin UV laminate. Each sign consists of three panels that slide into custom c-channel mounting rails.
Ten Digital Stickers for Existing Barrier Poles: Vinyl graphics in branding colors
This project reinforced Ballard FC and Salmon Bay FC’s strong branding identities while delivering versatile signage solutions that celebrate both teams and their local partners.
Follow Ballard FC and Salmon Bay FC on IG.
Jam3 / Seattle Sounders
Jam3, a branding design agency, worked with us in 2023 on a project for the Seattle Sounders to provide the local community with a chance to interact, have an experience, and bring momentum to the brand.
We brought Jam3’s concept to life and handcrafted a neon-illuminated, freestanding Sounders sculpture. This unique display was fabricated in two aluminum cabinets to be double-facing and housed both LED power supplies as well as neon transformers. There’s approximately 112 ft of classic yellow neon, including a Space Needle design, with bright yellow vinyl applied to the cabinet for added depth. Wrapped around the Space Needle is about 40 ft of ruby red neon forming a dragon design, with atomic red vinyl applied behind it. The stars are routed acrylic with frosted edges, stacked horizontally with routed black acrylic spacers between each star. The front-facing stars are routed aluminum, painted satin white, and illuminated with white neon, while the remaining stars have white LEDs mounted inside to provide edge lighting.
To ensure the safety of the sculpture and glass, we also fabricated a display enclosure constructed of non-glare clear acrylic panels and aluminum framing painted satin black. Extensive and careful design and planning were done to ensure ease of access and portability, considering this was a freestanding display in the city.
With the actual Space Needle behind the display, it was the perfect spontaneous and destination-worthy photo opportunity for Seattle Sounders fans and locals. We loved the combination of local culture, sport, and interaction with this project and were happy to be a part of the experience.
A City and Culture on the Rise
With all the new eyes coming to Seattle in the next year with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World cup, we are positioning ourselves for the exciting opportunities ahead for local engagement and collaboration. Soccer culture is taking center stage, and we are proud to support the teams, brands, and communities who are creating the wave. Signage helps tell their story – Let's make it unforgettable!
Western Neon creates custom signage, interiors, and public art. With 40 years of experience, we make your vision a success from the first idea to the finishing touch. Start a project today!