The World Cup Just Showed the World What We Already Know — And What That Means for Your Home in 2026

I've lived in Kirkland for 24 years. I've watched this area grow, evolve, and quietly become one of the most desirable places to live in the entire country. But this summer was different.

This summer, the world showed up.

Six FIFA World Cup matches came to Seattle, with fan celebrations stretching across Seattle Center, Waterfront Park, and beyond. Organizers anticipated an additional 150,000 people in the Puget Sound region, with visitors staying close to a full week — longer than almost any other sporting event draws. And if you own a home on the Eastside right now, I want to talk about what that actually means for you.

The World Cup didn't create the demand. It revealed it.

Here's what I keep telling my clients: the World Cup didn't suddenly make Seattle desirable. It broadcast what we've known for years to an audience that had never considered it before.

International buyers and relocators don't just come to watch matches. They explore. They walk Kirkland's waterfront. They drive through Mercer Island. They eat in Bellevue and ask questions about the neighborhoods they're passing through. For World Cup visitors, Bellevue offered a quieter alternative to downtown Seattle crowds while still providing convenient access to the stadium — and many of them noticed something while they were here. This area is extraordinary. And it's not overbuilt. And it's not chaotic. It's exactly the kind of place people with options choose to plant roots. 

That matters for anyone thinking about buying or selling right now.

What the market actually looks like heading into the second half of 2026

I'm going to be straight with you because that's what I'd want from my agent.

Kirkland is actually bucking the broader Eastside trend right now, holding firm and even rising modestly to around $1.4M, while parts of Bellevue and Woodinville have softened. Active listings across the region are up nearly 17% year over year, which means buyers have more inventory and more negotiating leverage than they've had in years.

That's not bad news. That's a window.

For buyers who've been waiting on the sidelines, this is the most negotiable market we've seen in a long time without prices actually collapsing. For sellers with well-positioned properties in Kirkland and the surrounding Eastside, strong fundamentals are still holding values up where others have softened.

What about short term rentals during the tournament?

A lot of homeowners asked me about this. Short term rental rules vary across the region — Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and Lynnwood allow renters to host, while Seattle has stricter rules that limit most renters unless they hold a pre-2017 legacy listing. If you own property in Kirkland or on the Eastside and were hoping to rent during the tournament, the rules here are more favorable than in the city. Worth knowing for future events too, because this won't be the last time Seattle hosts something at this scale.

The bigger picture for Eastside homeowners

What the World Cup did for this market isn't measurable in a single data point. It's the kind of visibility that compounds over time. International professionals, athletes, and high net worth individuals came through this city and many of them are going home thinking about it differently.

I specialize in luxury and sports and entertainment real estate for a reason. The people I work with move with intention. They want privacy, proximity to the right things, and a market that holds its value. The Eastside delivers all three and this summer put it on a global stage.

If you're thinking about what your next move looks like, whether that's selling into this moment, buying before the next wave of interest arrives, or simply understanding what your home is worth right now, I'd love to have that conversation.

Reach out anytime. That's what I'm here for.

Amanda Aguiar
Kirkland, WA | Luxury Real Estate Concierge