Blue Jays Fans Boost Seattle Tourism Amid Cross-Border Tensions

Pike Place Market artist and vendor Daniel Fleming says Toronto Blue Jays fans always show up in big numbers when the team plays the Seattle Mariners — and the ongoing American League Championship Series has been no exception.

He noted that Seattle’s vibrant market scene feels insulated from political tensions between Canada and the United States, which have otherwise reduced Canadian travel to the U.S.

“Toronto Blue Jays fandom travels maybe as well as any other fandom I’ve ever encountered,” Fleming said. “They come to town, they spend money, they support small businesses and whatnot.”

Tourism Feels ‘Fairly Normal’ Despite Political Friction

The iconic Pike Place Market was bustling with visitors posing for photos in front of the first Starbucks, opened in 1971, and filming the market’s famous fish-tossing ritual.

Fleming described this year’s tourism season as “fairly normal,” although he has noticed a decrease in the number of Korean and Chinese tourists. He suspects broader political issues could affect travel more strongly next year.

“I would expect Seattle’s getting fewer Canadian travelers,” he said. “But judging by the jerseys and crowds, there seemed to be a lot of people out.”

Seattle Faces 26% Drop in International Visitors.

According to Visit Seattle, the city’s tourism marketing agency, international visitors are expected to drop by 26% this year — the largest decline among major U.S. cities. The forecast, by Oxford Economics, attributes the dip mainly to reduced travel from Canada.

Visit Seattle president Tanya Canavan said officials are thrilled to see Canadian fans in the city despite political tensions.

“We’ve traditionally seen a lot of our Canadian friends come down for the game,” Canavan said. “It’s been a wonderful rivalry.”

Politics Cool Relations, But Not Fan Spirit

Canavan, who is originally from Vancouver and has lived in the U.S. for 25 years, said Seattle feels “a lot like home” for Canadians — sharing similar culture, weather, and values. Still, she noted “some hesitation” among Canadian travelers, citing rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump, including his comments about Canada as the “51st state.”

“We hope that in time, that relationship will become stronger,” she said. “The politics are not necessarily the people.”

Fans Cross the Border for Baseball, Not Politics

Saskatoon siblings Kurt and Tracey Bessey traveled to Seattle for the games, flying to Vancouver and then taking a bus south because it was cheaper than attending in Toronto.

Kurt said Seattle has changed since his last visit a decade ago — with more closed shops — but praised the people as friendly and welcoming.

Tracey added that locals were cheerful and welcoming toward them as Canadians in Blue Jays hoodies.

Their only odd moment came at the border.

“It seemed weird. I’ve been through the border several times,” Kurt said.

“We had all our Jays stuff on, so you know why we’re here,” Tracey added.

They said Game 3 was filled with friendly banter — until the Jays surged ahead to win 13–4.

Seattle’s Message to Canadians: ‘Don’t Believe the Hype’

Back at Pike Place, Fleming said he feels sorry for Canadians because of the harsh rhetoric coming from U.S. leaders, but insists that people shouldn’t let politics keep them away.

“Don’t believe the hype,” he said. “The people of a place are not the government of that place.”

According to Visit Seattle, Canadian tourists spent $586 million in Seattle and King County last year — a sign of the enduring bond between the two neighbors.