On June 15, a day before they learned Seattle will be a host of the World Cup in 2026, the Seattle Sounders FC and the RAVE Foundation, the Sounders’ philanthropic arm, hosted a groundbreaking celebration for two RAVE community soccer fields that will be built at SHA’s NewHolly community. SHA committed land in NewHolly’s central park for the facility and RAVE, with help from generous donors, will build two fields, seating areas and more, and will resurface an adjacent basketball court. SHA, RAVE and its partners share the belief that young lives are changed through sports and the availability of free community soccer fields. At the groundbreaking the central park was filled with NewHolly families enjoying locally-prepared food, excited children and Sounders players who kicked balls with them, community members and leaders, and representatives from RAVE, SHA and many partner organizations helping to bring the vision to life.

RAVE Foundation and Seattle Sounders FC are on a mission to build 26 community play fields by 2026 – when the biggest tournament in the world’s game comes to North America – and Seattle! The RAVE fields at Yesler and soon NewHolly are part of that goal to provide safe and healthy places for entire communities. Each RAVE field is developed collaboratively with the communities that surround them, and is enhanced through year-round RAVE programming designed to foster wellness, inspire learning and create joy. There are no fees to use the fields and they cannot be booked for closed events, ensuring the benefit to all of a place to belong and play.