Lumen Field, known before November 2020 as the CenturyLink Field, is a multi-purpose sports stadium in Seattle, Washington.
It is the home of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL), as well as Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) and OL Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Ground was broken at the site in September 1998 and construction was completed in late July of 2002, at a cost of $430 million.
The stadium was known as the Seahawks Stadium until 2004, when a sponsorship deal with Qwest was agreed that renamed the stadium the Qwest Field.
The stadium remained the Qwest Field until 2011, when CenturyLink’s acquisition of Qwest initiated a name change to CenturyLink Field.
CenturyLink’s 2020 rebrand to Lumen brought about the current name.
Lumen Link Field replaced the iconic Kingdome as the home of the city’s NFL team Seattle Seahawks, and was built on the same site after the Kingdome’s demolition.
The Kingdome had been the team’s home for practically its entire history from the Seahawks’ foundation in 1974 through to the 1999 season.
Although the home of the iconic Seahawks, the stadium opened with a soccer match between then USL team Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps.
How Many Seats Are In Lumen Field?
Lumen Field is a modern stadium with a total capacity of 68,740 for NFL games that can be expanded to 72,000 for special events.
The stadium’s capacity is limited to 37,772 for most Sounders matches in the MLS, with the stadium’s upper decks closed off.
For a few games a season, however, the stadium’s upper decks are opened and the capacity is significantly increased.
However, soccer matches have seen some of the stadium’s highest attendances.
An exhibition match between Manchester United and Celtic drew a crowd of 66,772 in 2003, in the first year of the stadium’s existence.
In fact, the stadium’s record attendance was set by the Sounders in the MLS, with a crowd of 69,274 watching the Sounders take on Toronto FC on November 10th, 2019.
Directions- How To Get To Lumen Field
By Public Transportation
Lumen Field is located in the SoDo neighborhood of Seattle, just south of the city’s downtown.
As American cities go, Seattle has an excellent public transport network, of which Lumen Field is at the heart.
The stadium is accessible via several metro routes, ST express buses, the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry, or the link light rail.
There are numerous bus stops in the area, including a Greyhound Bus station, and the Link Stadium and International District/Chinatown stations are just a short walk away.
On top of regular Amtrak services into Seattle, there are also special game day trains put on for Seattle Sounders fans that serve Lumen Field from further afield. These arrive at King Street Station, which is practically on the stadium’s doorstep.
By Car
Lumen Field is one of the few stadiums in the American Major League sports scene that is not designed with private vehicles in mind as the major transport of choice for fans.
For those seeking to use mapping technology to plan their route, the stadium’s address is 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98134.
For those that intend to do it the old-fashioned way, the stadium is located near to the junction of the I-5 and I-90. From the I-90 (east) follow for 4th Avenue South.
From the I-5, whether north or southbound, take any of the Airport Way, James Street, or 4th Avenue exits. These will all leave you in the stadium’s vicinity.
Park & Ride
If you would prefer to combine driving and public transportation, you can opt for park and ride.
There is free parking available at Northgate, Angle Lake, and Tukwila International Boulevard Link light rail stations, all of which are just a short train ride away from the stadium.
Where To Park Near Lumen Field
There are three onsite parking lots operated by Lumen Field: the North Lot, the Event Center Garage, and the Union Station Garage.
However, almost the entirety of these lots are sold on a season basis, with no parking available on a single-game basis.
The one exception is the North Lot, where there may be an extremely limited number of disabled spaces available on game day depending on the game. Depending on the event, parking costs range between $5-$40.
There are, however, tens of thousands of spaces available in the lots surrounding the stadium and downtown.
The Seahawks recommend using the SpotHero app to book parking in advance if you need it.
If you’re interested in tailgating, there is none currently permitted on stadium grounds.
Those fans that want to tailgate can find a number of different lots in the vicinity that allow it.
One such lot is located on 8th and Holgate, about 10 minutes walk from the stadium.
Lumen Field Frequently Asked Questions
Are Bags Allowed In Lumen Field?
The stadium operates a clear bag policy. A clear tote bag or clear backpack are acceptable, providing the bag’s dimensions do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12” and have no more than two compartments.
A clear one gallon storage bag, such as a Ziploc bag, will also be permitted. The only exception to the clear bag policy is personal purses or clutches, which do not have to be clear but must measure no more than 6” x 4.5”.
Can You Take Outside Food & Beverages Into Lumen Field?
Outside food in a clear plastic bag, or pizza in a pizza box, is permitted into the stadium provided the food is single serving only.
Outside beverages are prohibited with a handful of exceptions.
These include factory-sealed water bottles, baby bottles, and soft-sided single-serve containers, e.g juice boxes. Fluids required for medical needs will also be admitted.
Is Lumen Field The Loudest In The NFL?
Seahawks fans at Lumen Field have claimed the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd roar at an outdoor stadium on two occasions.
The best they managed was 137.6 decibels in 2014. For reference, that’s similar to the roar of a jet engine.
The Seahawks and their fans, though, were pipped shortly afterward by fans of the Kansas City Chiefs at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
They achieved a record-breaking 142.2 decibels when defeating the New England Patriots on September 29th, 2014.
Commenti