Ballard FC opens its fifth season Friday night with a home match against FC Olympia at Interbay Stadium (3027 17th Ave W).
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. so fans can watch Salmon Bay FC’s season opener from televisions in the beer garden before the match, according to Ballard FC’s match preview.
Ballard FC enters the 2026 season after winning its third straight Northwest Division title and the 2025 Western Conference championship. The club says it returns 18 players from last year’s team and was ranked second nationally in the first USL League Two power rankings of the season.
According to the club’s roster preview, returning players include midfielder Abeselom Zemenfes, who was named the USL 2 Western Conference Player of the Year in 2025, as well as goalkeeper Stockton Short and defenders Christian Engmann and Luke Hammond.
Led by head coach Mutanda Kwesele, new additions to the roster include Alex Bazia and Alex Notzka from Seattle University, plus Emmett Layman and Jordy Dierks from the University of Washington.
Friday’s opponent, FC Olympia, joined USL League Two in 2022 alongside Ballard FC. According to Ballard FC, Olympia was the only team to defeat Ballard during its 2023 national championship season.
FC Olympia opened its season with a 3-0 loss to the Portland Bangers and will be seeking its first points of the season Friday night, according to the match preview. Ballard FC says it holds an 8-1-2 all-time record against Olympia and has won the last five meetings between the clubs.
The match will also debut several stadium updates for the 2026 season. The Bridges United Foundation Beer Garden returns this year with drinks from Stoup Brewing, Incline Cider, Athletic Brewing, Vino FC, and Orgullo Ajeno Tequila. Fans will also now be able to bring beer, wine, and cider from the beer garden into seating and standing-room areas.
Ballard FC says alcoholic beverages will be 50% off from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. during a pregame happy hour. Food vendors scheduled for Friday include Eva’s Wild, Kottu, Kathmandu MoMoCha, and Mainstay Provisions.
The club is also encouraging fans to donate canned meat and fish for the Ballard Food Bank at Friday’s match.
Parking near Interbay Stadium is expected to be limited, and the club recommends biking, carpooling, or using public transit to reach the match. Tickets are available online.
Featured photo: Ballard FC