The Ultimate Sports City

Why Seattle is a world-class place for fans, and what happens when the World Cup lands here this summer. Plus: a personal investigation into an inconvenient allergy, a look at data centers in Washington, and a guide to cruises from Seattle and beyond.

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Block Party

Seattle Neighborhoods Throw the Best Festivals

Outside is our best side.

06/15/2026 By Taylor McKenzie Gerlach

Poetic

Three Poems by Ching-In Chen

The latest in Seattle Met’s poetry series.

06/04/2026 By Ching-In Chen

Festival on Film

The Heart of the Powwow

Sky Hopinka’s film about a Seattle powwow is straight from the heart—and begins with a big voice.

05/07/2026 By Chase Hutchinson

Well Well Well

These Young Classical Musicians Are Living in a Seattle Retirement Facility

How Skyline got its first-ever chamber quartet in residence.

03/19/2026 By Haley Shapley

Eat & Drink

cold comfort

Seattle's Best Shaved Ice and Slushies

Brain freeze be damned.

06/30/2026 By Naomi Tomky and Seattle Met Staff

Spread ’Em

A Taste Test of Seattle’s Best Jams

Picking a favorite was a sticky situation.

05/22/2026 By Naomi Tomky

First to Feast

Why Are So Many Asian Chain Restaurants Coming to Bellevue?

The Eastside city is the first choice for the first stop when Asian restaurant chains come to America.

03/05/2026 By Naomi Tomky

Health & Wellness

Sockeye to Me

Help, I’m Allergic to the Cover of My Cookbook!

My fishy foray through a minor medical mystery and major identity crisis.

04/13/2026 By Naomi Tomky Illustrations by Derek Abella

News & City Life

Timeline

An Incomplete History of Pro Sports in Seattle

From the Sounders (1970s) to the Sounders (2000s); hydroplanes, the Kingdome, and more.

06/26/2026 By Eric Nusbaum

Hoop Culture

Basketball in Seattle Is Bigger than the Sonics

What made the Sonics’ departure most galling—the city’s undying appreciation for the sport—is also what helps keep the flame burning without the NBA.

06/23/2026 By Christian Caple

Kickin’ It

Guide to the World Cup in Seattle

The games, the teams, and all the fan events.

06/10/2026 By Eric Nusbaum and Allison Williams

Creature Feature

Inside the Chaotic World of Seattle Sports Mascots

What are Buoy, Doppler, and other beloved characters like? We found out.

06/09/2026 By Eric Nusbaum Photography by David Jaewon Oh

Big Fan

Seattle Is Truly a Great Sports City

It’s time for us to get the respect we deserve for our teams, our fans, and how much fun we’re having on the field.

06/08/2026 By Eric Nusbaum

Sports Town

The 25 Greatest Seattle Athletes

A totally objective, impossible-to-dispute ranking.

06/01/2026 By Brittney Bush Bollay, Christian Caple, Eric Nusbaum, and Naomi Tomky

Shake It Up

Natalia Ruppert Will Report an Earthquake in Seconds

The head of a national seismology program thinks she can catch the big one right as it starts.

05/29/2026 By Allison Williams Photography by Grant Hindsley

Up the Bridges

How Ballard FC Democratizes Soccer

Cheap tickets, budding players, and lingonberry hot dogs bring out the crowds.

05/14/2026 By Taylor McKenzie Gerlach

Data Driven

The Fight Over Data Centers Next Door

Will our AI future come with high utility prices and accelerated climate change?

04/20/2026 By Josh Cohen

Travel & Outdoors

Shove Off

Cruise Destinations from Washington That Aren’t Alaska

Dozens of cruises head to the 49th state, but they’re not the only ports of call.

06/11/2026 By Allison Williams

Rodents of Unusual Size

Everything You Need to Know About Marmots

They’re furry. They’re fat. And they’re in places you’d never expect (including your car).

06/05/2026 By Allison Williams

Whistle Pigs

Where to Hike with Marmots in Washington

Hear that? It’s the Northwest’s cuddliest furries. Take these trails to find them.

05/20/2026 By Allison Williams

Destination Dossier

What You Need to Know About a Trip to Nelson, BC

How one town known for draft dodgers perfects the small-town idyll in the mountains of eastern BC.

05/04/2026 By Allison Williams

Over the Top

Maximalism Has Taken Over Hotels. I Love It.

Forget beige—the new look is a little bit of everything.

04/09/2026 By Allison Williams

Way Up North

Tour Detours at the Biggest Alaskan Cruise Ports

Most cruises go to the same spots. That doesn’t mean you have to do the same things.

04/03/2026 By Bailey Berg

It's an Art

How Tiny Tieton Became Mighty

One small Central Washington town found its artsy heart—and a new destination restaurant.

03/30/2026 By Allison Williams Photography by Reva Keller