​The World Cup is nearing its conclusion, and there are several valuable takeaways the NFL could consider from this international tournament. Across the United States, cities have greeted fans from around the world this summer, exposing a new sporting culture to many Americans. Seattle, in particular, has welcomed the World Cup and the thousands of visitors it attracted, offering a glimpse of how a global event can energize a city. Lumen Field, already renowned for its high-energy atmosphere, witnessed soccer fans bring a distinctly different matchday rhythm to the venue. This contrast was highlighted by Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde after he attended a World Cup match in the Emerald City.
The USMNT’s loss to Belgium produced an electric, almost overwhelming crowd noise—nearly rivaling the Seahawks’ infamous 2013 decibel record. Yet Durde argues that the overall ambiance at a soccer match can surpass what fans experience on a typical NFL game day. “I actually went to the Egypt vs. Belgium game in Seattle, I think that was the first one,” he told TalkSPORT. “I just loved that kind of atmosphere and the energy it created. It’s not about tailgating; it’s about turning up, being ready, the chants, and seeing Lumen Field like that. It was different, and it was really cool.”
Seattle already boasts one of the most vociferous fanbases in the country, so the city isn’t in dire need of guidance on how to drum up excitement. The World Cup has nonetheless illuminated how other sports organize and present their events, offering a fresh perspective for code-switching between sports during a shared venue or city-wide experience. Durde, an Englishman by background, might naturally view soccer’s routines as an ideal template, but it’s important to recognize that tailgating remains deeply ingrained in American sports culture. Expecting NFL fans to fully adopt soccer supporters’ traditions in response to the World Cup might be overly ambitious.
The World Cup’s footprint across the United States has sparked conversations about how much of soccer’s game-day energy could be translated to American football, yet it also underscores the distinct identity of each sport’s fan rituals. As cities continue to celebrate this summer’s global competition, NFL teams may glean insights into engaging larger, more diverse audiences, while respecting the unique passions that define their own game-day experiences.