Galveston to “Welkom” Iconic Netherlands Fan Bus in First Stop on U.S. Tour Ahead of FIFA World Cup™ 2026

Galveston residents and visitors will have the opportunity to welcome one of the world's most recognizable symbols of soccer fandom when the Netherlands' iconic orange double-decker fan bus makes a special stop at Saengerfest Park on June 11.

The Netherlands’ “De beroemde Oranjebus” fan bus, a fixture at the World Cup tournaments around the globe, will officially enter Texas and stop in downtown Galveston for approximately 30 minutes as excitement builds for the FIFA World Cup. The bus will then tour Galveston where World Cup fans will cheer it along a route down 25th street to Seawall to 61st street. From there, the bus will follow the Netherlands team across the United States.

The bus recently completed a trans-Atlantic journey from the Netherlands. It docked at the Port of Galveston, where it was unloaded as excitement for the tournament grows on the island. The double decker bus serves as a centerpiece of Dutch fan celebrations throughout the tournament.

The Galveston Island Park Board, City of Galveston and community partners are inviting media, residents, visitors and downtown businesses to gather at Saengerfest Park or along the route to welcome the bus, take photos and celebrate the growing excitement surrounding the world's largest sporting event. In honor of the double decker bus, participants are invited to wear orange.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

Date: Thursday, June 11
Time: event starts @ 11 am; bus arrives @ 11:10 am; bus departs @ 11:30 am
Location: Saengerfest Park, Strand Street at 23rd
Visual: Proclamation by Galveston Mayor John Paul Listowski, bus photo op

ALSO
Date: Thursday, June 11
Time: approximately 11:40 am (set up beforehand)
Location: 4523 Fort Crockett Blvd – Academy Sports parking lot
Visual: Bus drives down iconic Galveston Seawall with Gulf in background

Galveston Mayor John Paul Listowski and other Galveston officials will participate in the "welkom” and ride aboard the bus as it travels from downtown Galveston along 25th Street and Seawall Boulevard before continuing toward Houston.

The bus arrived in Texas after a three-week ocean voyage and is one of the first visible signs of international fan activity associated with the upcoming matches. Following its time in Galveston, the vehicle will travel to North Texas for the Netherlands' opening match before continuing to additional host cities throughout the tournament, on its way to New York.


For media inquiries or to RSVP, contact:

Chris Stanley
Communications Director
Visit Galveston
409.797.5168 or 901.496.2159 (cell)


About Galveston Island

Galveston Island, Texas is a resilient historic beach town located 50 miles south of Houston. The birthplace of Juneteenth and home to the second largest immigration port into the U.S. in the 1880s, today Galveston Island is a major tourism destination for Texas and beyond. Galveston offers miles of beaches, top-tier museums, family attractions, plus special events and festivals. Galveston’s port is the fourth busiest for cruise passengers in North America and the island eagerly welcomes more than eight million visitors each year. To plan your Galveston Island experience, go to www.visitgalveston.com.