Lumen Field (Seattle) - Sports Tourist

Lumen Field, located in the SoDo (South of Downtown) district of Seattle, Washington, is a multi-purpose stadium known globally for its deafening atmosphere and stunning views of the city skyline. It is the fortress-like home of the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), and Seattle Reign FC (NWSL). The stadium is renowned for the “12s” (the fans), who have twice set the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd roar at an outdoor stadium. With its unique architecture and passionate fanbase, it offers one of the most intense sporting experiences in North America.

History and Design

The stadium officially opened in 2002, replacing the imploded Kingdome. It was designed by Ellerbe Becket and LMN Architects with a specific goal: to create an intimate, intimidating atmosphere while preserving views of downtown Seattle and the Puget Sound.

Acoustic Engineering: A key feature of the design is the immense, parabolic roof structures that cover 70% of the seating area. These roofs are designed not just for weather protection in rainy Seattle, but to reflect crowd noise back onto the field, contributing to the stadium’s legendary volume.
Architecture: The stadium features a U-shaped design with a vertically stacked north tower, allowing for the open north end that frames the downtown skyline. It was built with a small footprint to keep fans close to the action, creating excellent sightlines from almost every seat.
Naming History: Originally Seahawks Stadium, it became Qwest Field, then CenturyLink Field, before rebranding to Lumen Field in 2020.

Major Events Hosted

While its primary purpose is to host its three home teams, Lumen Field has a rich history of hosting major international events, cementing its status as a regional hub for sports and entertainment.

NFL & MLS: It hosts all home games for the Seahawks and Sounders, including multiple NFL playoff games and MLS Cup finals (2019).
CONCACAF Champions League: In 2022, it hosted the historic second leg of the final where the Sounders became the first MLS team to win the modern tournament .
2026 FIFA World Cup: Lumen Field is a confirmed host venue for the FIFA World Cup 2026, where it will host several group stage and knockout matches.
Copa América Centenario: The venue hosted matches during this special edition tournament in 2016.
Concerts: The stadium is a premier tour stop, having hosted massive acts like Taylor Swift (whose fans caused seismic activity equivalent to a 2.3 magnitude earthquake), Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, and The Rolling Stones.

Key Information

Official Name: Lumen Field
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Opened: 2002
Capacity: 68,740 (expandable to 72,000 for special events)
Primary Tenants: Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), Seattle Reign FC (NWSL)
Address: 800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134, USA

Contents

Getting to Lumen Field

The stadium is located in the SoDo neighborhood, immediately south of Pioneer Square and downtown Seattle. It is a major transit hub and highly accessible.

By Air: The nearest airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The most convenient and cost-effective way to reach the stadium or downtown from the airport is via the Link Light Rail, which takes about 35 minutes.
By Public Transport (Light Rail & Train):
- Link Light Rail: Take the 1 Line to either Stadium Station or International District/Chinatown Station. Both are a short walk to the gates.
- Sounder Train: For select weekend games, the Sounder commuter train runs directly to King Street Station, located just steps from the stadium’s north lot.
- Ferries: The Seattle Ferry Terminal (Colman Dock) is less than a mile away, serving fans coming from Bainbridge Island or Bremerton.
By Taxi/Rideshare: There is a designated rideshare drop-off zone, usually located to the east of the stadium near the International District, to avoid the heaviest traffic on First Avenue.
By Foot: Lumen Field is easily walkable from downtown hotels and the Pioneer Square neighborhood. It is roughly a 15-20 minute walk from the Pike Place Market area.
Parking: On-site parking is available in the North Lot and Lumen Field Garage, but it is expensive and sells out quickly. Utilizing public transport is strongly recommended.

Tickets & Tours at Lumen Field

Tickets

Tickets for all three home teams are managed digitally.

Seattle Seahawks: Tickets are notoriously hard to get and should be purchased via Ticketmaster (the official partner) or the NFL Ticket Exchange.
Seattle Sounders FC: Tickets for MLS matches are sold via Ticketmaster. They typically have better availability than NFL games, though big matches will sell out.
Seattle Reign FC: Tickets for NWSL matches are also sold via Ticketmaster and offer a great opportunity to see top-tier women’s soccer.

Tours

Lumen Field offers guided tours that provide a behind-the-scenes look at the locker rooms, the press box, the “Hawk’s Nest,” and the field level. Tours typically run on dates when no events are scheduled. Information and booking can be found through Ticketmaster.

Where to Stay Near Lumen Field

The best area to stay is in Pioneer Square or Downtown Seattle. Staying here puts you within walking distance of the stadium while offering access to the city’s best food and tourist sites.

Pioneer Square: This historic district is the closest to the stadium.
- Example: The Silver Cloud Hotel – Seattle Stadium is located directly across the street from the stadium, offering the ultimate convenience.
Downtown/Union Street: A short light rail ride or walk away.
- Example: The Sheraton Grand Seattle or Hyatt Regency Seattle provide central locations near shopping and the convention center.

Booking Tips

Plan Ahead: Book accommodation and tickets well in advance, especially during the NFL season (September–January) or for summer concerts.
Check Transport: Ensure your hotel is near a Link Light Rail station if you aren’t staying within walking distance.
Use Reputable Sites: Use well-known and trustworthy booking websites like TripAdvisor to find and compare accommodation options.