With just over a week left in the regular season, Ballard FC is hosting the Tacoma Stars for their second to last home match of 2026. Sunday’s match is also the club’s annual Pride match, a chance to recognize, celebrate, platform, and empower the LGBTQIA+ community within the club’s very own hyperlocal community.
Ballard FC is a proud member of Common Goal, where one percent of the Bridges United Foundation’s profits go every year. One of Common Goal’s biggest initiatives is Play Proud, a “grassroots-driven program that works with all stakeholders in soccer to make communities and stadiums a safer space for the LGBTQ+ community.”
Ballard FC is honored to have been part of the 2024 Play Proud cohort, alongside other incredible Seattle soccer organizations. Play Proud is a grassroots-driven initiative that brings together all stakeholders in soccer to create safer, more inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals. As part of this program, the club completed over 100 hours of in-person training to promote inclusivity and safety within soccer, the game we love.
The match itself is a crucial one in the Northwest Division playoff race as just three clubs (Ballard FC, Snohomish United, and the Portland Bangers) are competing for the division’s two playoff spots.
Now, let’s meet Sunday’s visitors.
The Tacoma Stars
The Tacoma Stars entered USL League Two in 2024 at the same time as Midlakes United and West Seattle Junction FC. The Stars have long existed as professional indoor soccer team competing in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL).
The Stars have and up and down two season in league two so far. In 2024, the Stars actually went undefeated against Ballard FC with a win and a draw against the eventual division winners. But then in 2025 the Stars were one of the worst teams in the division, struggling to string together results and keep the ball out of the back of the net.
So far in 2026, the Stars are comfortably mid-table as they are tied for fourth place with the West Seattle Junction. Despite this, the Stars are one of only two clubs to take points off of Ballard FC this season, securing a 1-1 draw in Tacoma earlier this summer. The Stars roster is headlined by former Ballard FC defender Khai Brisco who won three straight division titles with Ballard FC. Brisco will look to shut down whoever makes up the left side of Ballard’s attack this weekend.
Get tickets to Sunday’s match!
MATCH DETAILS
In addition to all the information below, fans should read this year’s “Know Before You Go” matchday guidelines and all of the below information to learn everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s match.
Salmon Bay FC Playoffs: After Sunday’s Ballard FC match, the USL W League Western Conference Final is scheduled for 6:30pm at Interbay stadium. Fans with tickets to both matches will need to clear the stadium after the Ballard FC match and can then return when gates open for the Conference Final at 5pm!
Gates: Gates open at 12:30pm! We recommend arriving early to enjoy the food and beer offerings, watch the players warm up, beat the hassle of traffic and parking, and to enjoy all of the prematch festivities. There will be a happy hour on Friday with all drinks half off from 12:30-1:15!
Food Vendors: Beyond the thrilling soccer action, Friday’s match will feature an array of food vendors, including Urban Native, Big Boy’s Filipino, and Mainstay Provisions. Also, before you head to Pagliacci Pitch, you can take advantage of the Pagliacci Pizza BOGO slice deal on game days. Just show your ticket at any Pagliacci location and get two slices for the price of one. Outside food is not allowed in the venue except for Pagliacci Pizza. Fans can also purchase snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, and hot dogs (including the famous “Ballard Dog”) from the concession stand.
Ballard Food Bank: We also encourage fans to support the community by bringing donations of jerky sticks for the Ballard Food Bank.
Beer Garden: The Bridges United Foundation Beer Garden is back and better than ever this season. The Beer Garden proudly serves Stoup Brewing. In addition to beer from Stoup, fans can purchase tequila from Orgullo Ajeno Tequila, cider from Incline Cider, N/A beer from Athletic Brewing, and wine from Vino FC. The Beer Garden is all ages, however there is a 21+ zone in the southeast corner of the stadium, which includes the new bleachers that were installed during phase one of the Interbay Stadium Expansion, which was completed earlier this month. Although alcohol can only be purchase inside the Beer Garden, fans can now take beer, wine, and cider outside of the Beer Garden and back to their seats or standing room area. Check out the Beverage Map below.
Transportation: Parking is extremely limited and will not be available in the parking lot by the time gates open. Street parking can be found to the north, east, or west of the stadium. We highly recommend alternative forms of transportation, including biking as we will have the Wombi Bike Parking area available at every home match this year. Please also consider riding King County Metro on game day, where youth through age 18 always ride free! Check out transit mode in Google Maps, the TripPlanner.kingcounty.gov website, or an app like OneBusAway. For more information, check out our full matchday transportation guide.
Live Stream: Can’t make it to the match? All Ballard FC home matches can be found at goballardfc.com/stream and will be streamed live on SportsEngine Play.
Written by Max Dresbach
