Lumen Field Stadium Capacity, Tickets, Seating Plan, Records, Location, Parking
Lumen Field (formerly known as CenturyLink Field) is a multi-purpose stadium located in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the home field of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL) and the Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). The stadium opened in 2002 and has a seating capacity of around 68,740 people.
Originally named Seahawks Stadium, it was renamed Qwest Field in June 2004 when telecommunications operator Qwest acquired the naming rights. The stadium became known as CenturyLink Field following CenturyLink’s June 2011 acquisition of Qwest and was nicknamed “The Clink” as a result; [4] received its current name in November 2020 with the rebranding from CenturyLink to Lumen Technologies.
It is a modern facility with views of the downtown Seattle skyline and a seating capacity of 68,740 for NFL games and 37,722 for most MLS games. The complex also includes the Events Center, which houses the Musical Theater of Washington (WaMu Theatre), a parking garage, and a public plaza. The venue hosts concerts, trade shows, and consumer shows along with sporting events. Located within one mile (1.6 km) of downtown Seattle, the stadium is accessible by multiple highways and forms of public transportation.
The stadium was built between 2000 and 2002 on the site of the Kingdom after voters approved construction funding in a statewide election held in June 1997. This vote created the Washington State Public Stadium Authority to oversee the property public of the place Seahawks owner Paul Allen formed First & Goal Inc. to develop and operate the new facility. Allen was very involved in the design process, and he stressed how important it was to have a small, open space.
In 2013 and 2014, Seahawks fans at Lumen Field broke the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd roar in an outdoor stadium. The first time, the noise level was 136.6 decibels, and the second time, it was 137.6 decibels. Notorious crowd noise has also contributed to the team’s home court.
The advantage with an increase in false start (movement by an offensive player before the play) and delay of the game (failure of the offense to get the ball out before the play clock expires) penalties against visiting teams. The stadium was the first in the NFL to install an artificial FieldTurf surface. Numerous college and high school football games were also played at the stadium, including the 2011 Apple Cup and all of the Washington Huskies’ home games during Husky Stadium’s 2012 renovation.
The XFL’s Seattle Dragons began play in Lumen Field in 2020 and are scheduled to return in 2023 as the Sea Dragons.
Lumen Field is also designed for soccer. The first sporting event held included a United Soccer League (USL) Seattle Sounders match. The USL team began using the stadium regularly for home games in 2003. The stadium hosted the inaugural season of MLS expansion team Seattle Sounders FC in 2009.
Lumen Field was the site of MLS Cup in 2009 and 2019. The venue also hosted the 2010 and 2011 tournament finals for the US Open Cup, as well as the second leg of the tournament final for 2022 for the CONCACAF Champions League; the Sounders won all three finals, with new tournament attendance records set for each final (or stage) hosted at Lumen Field.
In August 2013, the Sounders broke a new home court attendance record when 67,385 fans turned out to watch them play the Portland Timbers. The stadium hosted several matches of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in multiple editions and the Copa América Centenario in 2016.
It will also host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was awarded to the United States, Canada and Mexico.
| Built In: | September 28, 1998 |
| Capacity: | 68,740 |
| Home Teams: | Seattle Seahawks |
| Ground Size: | 120 yd × 53.3 yd |
Lumen Field Stadium History
Construction and layout
Architectural firm Ellerbe Becket, in association with Loschky Marquardt & Nesholm Architects of Seattle, designed the 1.5 million square foot (140,000 m2) project. Allen was very involved during the design process. Growing up, he attended games at the outdoor Husky Stadium at the University of Washington. His goal was to create a similar experience and atmosphere in the new place. The exhibition center portion of the project was designed over a 14-month period by Loschky Marquardt & Nesholm Architects, while construction was carried out by First & Goal. Community meetings were held to discuss the impact on the public, and the company created a $6 million mitigation fund for nearby neighborhoods. Pursuant to a schedule established by the construction team, contracts totaling $81 million were awarded to minority- and women-owned businesses. Union apprentices made up 19% of the workforce through another program with local unions.
Construction on the new parking and exhibition center was scheduled to begin on 19 September 1998, but protracted leasing discussions between First & Goal and the Public Stadium Authority delayed the official opening until 28 September. The exhibition center opened on October 30, 1999, and subsequently hosted its first event on November 4. On March 26, 2000, to make way for the stadium, the Kingdome was demolished in the world’s largest implosion of a single concrete structure. Almost all of the Kingdome’s rubble was recycled with about half being used for the new stadium. The designers were challenged by the soft soil on the site, as it was a tidal marsh until public works projects in the early 20th century adjusted the waterline of nearby Elliott Bay. The top layer is a soft fill taken from grading projects that had leveled parts of the Seattle hills. To account for the soft ground, the complex sits on more than 2,200 piles driven 50 to 70 feet (15 to 21 m) below ground to form what is essentially a pier for the foundation. Eight individually connected sections were built to account for soil concerns, temperature effects, and earthquake potential. The adjoining expo center and parking lot are separate structures and not part of the eight-section stadium.
The Lumen Field site is the smallest of those developed for new NFL stadiums, at 30 acres (12 ha). The upper levels were cantilevered over the lower sections to accommodate the limited space. Together with the angle of the seats and the location of the lower sections closer to the field, this provided a better view of the field than is normally seen across the country and allowed for a seating capacity of 67,000. Space is available to increase the total capacity to 72,000 for special events. Capacity includes 111 suites and more than 7,000 club seats. The stadium has 1,400 seats for people with disabilities and their companions located in various sections. In 2009, Qwest Field was ranked 21st out of 31 NFL stadiums in total seating capacity.
Lumen Field’s configuration is U-shaped with an open north end to provide views of downtown Seattle and the Great North Plaza. The large retractable roof of T-Mobile Park along with Mount Rainier to the southeast can be seen from the partially open south end. The stadium concourses were built to be spacious and provide additional views of the surrounding area. A 13-story tower was erected at the north end of the stadium that visually complements the Seattle skyline. The tower features a vertically oriented scoreboard that is the first of its kind in the NFL. At the base there are bleacher seats for 3000 called the “Hawks’ Nest”. Another addition not seen before in the NFL are field-level luxury suites located directly behind the north end zone.
In the early stages of building the stadium, Allen turned down plans for a roof that could be moved up and down. The lack of a retractable roof opened it up to the elements, provided better views, and lowered the overall cost of the project. The roof, 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2), covers 70% of the seats but leaves the field open. The roof spans 720 feet (220 m) between the concrete pylon supports at the north and south ends of the stadium. Its two expansive sections are supported from below by trusses.
From above, two arches with additional supports rise 200 feet (61 m) above the field. Post-tensioned cables were used to achieve its final shape and positioning. To minimize damage in the event of an earthquake, the roof has a friction pendulum damping system. This disconnects the roof from the support pylons so that it can move independently of the structure.
The technology had never been applied to a large-scale roof before Lumen Field. A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Seattle area during construction. The structure responded as the designers expected and there was minimal damage. The project was completed on budget and one month ahead of schedule.
The roof was painted white at first to make it look different from both T-Mobile Park and the industrial area nearby. The east side of the stadium has a large glass curtain wall that faces the nearby International District. The outside of the stadium is also made of salmon-colored concrete, and part of the west side is covered in red brick.
The color and façade were designed so that the stadium would blend in with the older buildings in neighboring Pioneer Square. To reduce costs, the exterior was not completed with brick or ornate steel. After the stadium’s name change in 2020, the 240,000-square-foot (22,000 m2) roof was repainted blue with white lettering that is illuminated by 4,000 feet (1,200 m) of light-emitting diodes.
In 2015, the stadium was expanded with the addition of the Toyota Fan Deck, which includes a new platform for hoisting 12 flags. This expansion was privately financed by the Seahawks and the additional 1,000 seats were made available to current season ticket holders on Blue Pride’s waiting list for season tickets. The additional seats brought the stadium’s capacity to 68,740. The stadium also has additional seats that can be unfolded for special events, bringing the maximum capacity to 72,000.
Stadium Capacity
Lumen Field Stadium has a seating capacity of 68,740.
Lumen Field Stadium Seating Plan
The seating plan for Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, is designed to accommodate a capacity of 68,000 fans. The seating is divided into several sections, each with its own unique features and amenities.
The lower level of the stadium is where the majority of the seats are located. These seats offer a great view of the field and are well-suited for watching football and soccer games. There are also club level seats on this level, which offer a premium view of the field along with exclusive access to VIP lounges and other amenities.
The upper level of the stadium has additional seating, which offers a less expensive option for viewing games and events. The View level is located in the upper level and it offers a great panoramic view of the field.
The end zone seating is also available in the both levels, which is great for those who enjoy watching the game from a specific angle and proximity to the action.
The Lumen Field also has a unique feature, the “Hawaii 5-0” section, also known as the north end zone, which is known for the loudest and rowdiest fans that attend the games.
Keep in mind that specific seating arrangement may vary depending on the type of event, the organization’s rules and regulations and the seating available for the specific event, you should check their official website for updated information.
Notable Events & Records
As the home field of the Seattle Seahawks, Lumen Field has seen many notable moments and records set throughout the years. Some of the records include:
- On December 2, 2012, the Seattle Seahawks set a new record for the loudest crowd noise in a stadium at 136.6 decibels during a Monday night game against the New Orleans Saints.
- The Seattle Seahawks has one of the best home records in the NFL, with a .697 win percentage at home.
- The Seattle Sounders FC set a new record for the highest average attendance in Major League Soccer, with an average of 43,144 fans per game during the 2019 season.
- The record for most points scored in a single game at Lumen Field is 58, set by the Seattle Seahawks in a game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 9, 2017.
- The record for most passing yards in a single game at Lumen Field is 522, set by quarterback Matt Hasselbeck of the Seattle Seahawks in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 27, 2002.
Upcoming Events
2026 FIFA World Cup
This stadium is in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Stadiums and Venues. Lumen Field was one of 58 places in the United States that could have hosted FIFA World Cup games if the country had won the right to host the tournament in 2018 or 2022. Speaking of Seattle as a candidate, Sunil Gulati of the USA Soccer Federation called it “a world-class facility.”
Seattle finally hosted a World Cup qualifier on June 11, 2013; The qualifier, which was the city’s second overall and first since 1976, saw the United States beat Panama 2-0 in front of a raucous crowd of 40,847. The United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Canada and Mexico; Lumen Field was one of 23 finalist venues named by the organizing committee in 2018 after FIFA awarded the bid.
Lumen Field was subsequently announced as one of 11 US venues, as well as one of five current MLS venues selected to host matches in June 2022; along with BC Place in Vancouver, both will be the only host venues based in the Pacific Northwest out of a total of 16. According to preliminary city government plans, it would cost up to $10.5 million to host Cup games World Cup, including installing a temporary turf surface, policing the venue and practice fields, and running a fan festival at the Seattle Center or city stadium.
Parking
There are three parking lots managed by Lumen Field: the North Lot, the Lumen Field Event Center Garage, and the Union Station Garage. The entrances to these three parking lots are as follows: Lumen Field Event Center Parking: Royal Brougham Way South, opposite T-Mobile Park. North Lot: 2nd Ave.
