Researched and compiled by
Carrie Birdsong
1. Seahawks Stadium 2002 – 2004
2. Qwest Field: 2004 – 2011
3. CenturyLink Field: 2011 – 2020
Address: 800 Occidental Avenue South
Location: Seattle, Washington
Owner: Washington State Public Stadium Authority
Operator: First & Goal Inc.
Executive Suites: 111
Capacity:
2. The Toyota Fan Deck is sponsored by the
3. 2002 also marked the Seahawks' first season in
4. Under then-current NFL policy, a game that
5. All Seahawks home games during the 2020
6. As of 2014, the Seahawks refer to their fans as
2. Qwest Field: 2004 – 2011
3. CenturyLink Field: 2011 – 2020
Address: 800 Occidental Avenue South
Location: Seattle, Washington
Owner: Washington State Public Stadium Authority
Operator: First & Goal Inc.
Executive Suites: 111
Capacity:
1. 68,740 (NFL) Expandable to 72,000
for special events.
2. 10,000 National Women’s Soccer League
Record Attendance: Concert: 77,286 (Ed Sheeran,
August 26th, 2023)
Soccer: 69,274 (Seattle Founders FC vs. Toronto
FC, November 10th, 2019).
Field Size: American Football: 120 yd x 53.3 yd
Soccer: 116 yd x 75 yd.
Surface: FieldTurf Revolution 360.
Scoreboard: 84 ft x 24 ft.
44 ft x 50 ft
Field Size: American Football: 120 yd x 53.3 yd
Soccer: 116 yd x 75 yd.
Surface: FieldTurf Revolution 360.
Scoreboard: 84 ft x 24 ft.
44 ft x 50 ft
Construction
Broke Ground: September 28th, 1998 (complex)
Opened: July 28th, 2002.
Construction Cost:
Broke Ground: September 28th, 1998 (complex)
Opened: July 28th, 2002.
Construction Cost:
1. $430 million (entire complex)
2. ($728 million in 2023 dollars(1))
Architect: Ellerbe Becket (2)
LMN Architects(2) Streeter & Associates(3)
Structural Engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Services Engineer: McKinstry/Cochran(2)
General Contractor: Turner Construction Company(2)
Tenants
1. Seattle Seahawks (NFL) 2002 – Present
2. Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) 2009 – Present
3. Seattle Reign FC (NWSL) 2022 – Present
4. Seattle Bowl (NCAA) 2002
5. Seattle Sounders (A-League/USL 1) 2003 – 2007
6. Washington Huskies (NCAA) 2011 – 2012
7. Seattle Dragons/Sea Dragons (XFL) 2020, 2023
Lumen Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington. Located in the city’s SoDo neighborhood, it is the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL), Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer (MLS), and Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Originally called Seahawks Stadium, it was renamed Qwest Field in June 2004 when telecommunications carrier Qwest acquired the naming rights. The stadium became known as Century Link Field following Qwest’s June 2011 acquisition by Century Link and was nicknamed “The Clink” as a result(4); it received its current name in November 2020 with CenturyLink’s rebrand to Lumen Technologies(5). It is a modern facility with views of the Downtown Seattle skyline and a seating capacity of 68,740 spectators for NFL games and 37,722 for most MLS matches. The complex also includes the Event Center which is home to the Washington Music Theater (WaMu Theatre), a parking garage, and a public plaza. The venue hosts concerts, trade shows, and consumer shows along with sporting events. Located within a mile of Downtown Seattle, the stadium is accessible by multiple freeways and forms of mass transit.
The stadium was built between 2000 and 2002 on the site of the Kingdom after voters approved funding for the construction in a statewide election held in June 1997. This vote created the Washington State Public Stadium Authority to oversee public ownership of the venue. The owner of the Seahawks, Paul Allen, formed First & Goal Inc. to develop and operate the new facilities. Allen was closely involved in the design process and emphasized the importance of an open-air venue with an intimate atmosphere.
Seahawks fans at Lumen Field have twice claimed the Guinness World Record for loudest crowd roar at an outdoor stadium, first at 136.6 decibels in 2013, followed by a measurement of 137.6 decibels in 2014. The crowd’s notorious noise has also contributed to the team’s home-field advantage with an increase in false starts (movement by an offensive player before the play) and delay of game (failure of the offense to snap the ball before the play clock expiring) penalties against visiting teams(6). The stadium was the first in the NFL to install a FieldTurf artificial surface. Numerous college and high school football games gave also been played at the stadium, including the 2011 Apple Cup and all Washington Huskies home games during the renovation of Husky Stadium in 2012. The XFL’s Seattle Dragons began playing at Lumen Field in 2020 and returned in 2023 as the Sea Dragons.
Lumen Field is also designed for soccer. The first sporting event included a United Soccer Leagues (USL) Seattle Founders match. The USL team began using the stadium regularly for home games in 2003. The MLS expansion team, Seattle Sounders FC, began its inaugural season in 2009 at the stadium. Lumen Field was the site of the MLS Cup in 2009 and 2019; the latter set a new attendance record for the stadium with 69,274 spectators. The venue also hosted the 2010 and 2011 tournament finals for the U.S. Open Cup as well as the second leg of the 2022 tournament for the CONCACAF Champions League; the Sounders won all three finals, with new tournament attendance records set for each final (or leg) hosted at Lumen Field. The stadium hosted several CONCACAF Gold Cup matches across multiple editions, including the Copa America Centenario in 2016. It will also host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was awarded to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (7)
Funding
The Seahawks played their home games at the Kingdome from their 1976 inaugural season until 1999, sharing the stadium with Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners and the National Basketball Association’s Seattle SuperSonics(8). In 1995, a proposal was made to issue county bonds to fund a remodeling project of the facility. The proposal failed, and as a result, Seahawks’ owner Ken Behring threatened to sell or move the team (likely to Los Angeles). In 1997 local billionaire Paul Allen pledged to acquire the team if a new stadium could be built and said that the team could not be profitable until they left the Kingdome. He asked the state legislature to hold a special statewide referendum on a proposal to finance a new stadium Allen also agreed to cover any cost overruns(9)(10). With Allen agreeing to pay the 4 million dollar cost, the legislature agreed. The vote was scheduled to be held in June 1997, but in May a Seattle resident filed a lawsuit that claimed the legislature did not have authority to call for such a vote since it would be paid for by a private party who could gain from the result. The case was delayed until after the vote(11). The proposal was pitched to voters as providing both a new home for the Seahawks and a venue for top-level soccer. It passed on June 17th, 1997,(12) with 820,364 (51.1%) in favor and 783,584 against(11)(13). The vote was close in Seattle, but it received 60% approval in Seattle’s northern and eastern suburbs. The public funding was unpopular farther away in the eastern portion of the state(14). In October, a Thurston County Superior Court judge ruled that the legislature acted properly and in the public’s interest, and he dismissed the pending lawsuit. The Washington Supreme Court upheld the decision that December.(11)(15)
Voter approval of the referendum created a public-private partnership(12). The Washington State Public Stadium Authority was created to oversee public ownership of the stadium, exhibition center, and parking garage complex. Allen purchased the Seahawks and formed First & Goal Inc. to build and operate the facility. The budget for the project was $430 million. Of this cost, $44 million was allotted to build the Event Center, $26 million for the parking garage, and $360 million for the stadium. First & Goal was to cover the cost overruns and pay up to $130 million for the project while the contribution from the public was capped at $300 million(16). The public funding package included new sports-related state lottery games, taxes on the facility’s admissions and parking, sales tax credits and deferrals, and an eight-year extension of the 2% tax on hotel rooms in King County(17). The taxes on admissions and parking were set below the authorized 10% to preserve the tax-exempt status of the project’s bonds, which were first issued on May 1st, 1999; the percentage was increased to the full amount when the bonds were completely paid on January 1st, 2021, with the taxes subsequently serving as dedicated funding sources for maintenance and modernization of the facilities(16)(18). Furthermore, a clause in the referendum required Allen or his estate to give the Public Stadium Authority 10% of the proceeds from the sale of a majority or all of their interest in the Seahawks if they had done so before or on the 25th anniversary of the first bond sale. The proceeds would have been reserved for the state’s public schools had a sale of the team occurred before the bonds were fully paid off; any sale in between the bond retirement and the clause expiration would have seen the proceeds go towards improvements to the stadium instead.(18)
In September 1998, First & Goal signed a 30-year stadium lease that includes options to extend for another 20(19). Per the agreement, the Public Stadium Authority receives $850,000 a year from First & Goal (adjusted for inflation), and First & Goal keeps all the revenue from the stadium and parking garage. The company receives 80% of the revenue from the exhibition center while the other 20 percent is allotted to a state education fund. First & Goal is responsible for all operating and maintenance costs, expected to be $6 million a year, and must keep the facility in “first-class” condition. Other details of the lease include the availability of affordable seats, a coordinated effort with neighboring T-Mobile Park (the Mariners’ current ballpark) to prevent gridlock, a provision for naming rights, the investment in public art at the stadium, and the giveaway of a luxury suite to a fan each Seahawk’s game.(19)
Construction and Layout
The architectural firm Ellerbe Becket, in association with Loschky, Marquardt, and Nesholm (LMN) Architects of Seattle, designed the 1.5 million square feet project. Allen was closely involved during the design process. While growing up he attended games at the University of Washington’s (UW) outdoor Husky Stadium. His goal was to create a similar experience and atmosphere at the new venue(20)(21). The exposition center portion of the project was designed over a period of 14 months by LMN Architects while First & Goal managed the construction(22)(23). Town meetings were held to discuss the impact on the public, and the company created a 6 million dollar mitigation fund for nearby neighborhoods(24). Per a program established by the building 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 trade unions.(25)
Construction of the new exhibition center and parking garage was set to commence on September 19th, 1998, but prolonged lease discussions between First & Goal and the Public Stadium Authority delayed the official groundbreaking to September 28th(26)(27). The exhibition center opened on October 30th, 1999, and subsequently hosted its first event on November 4th(28). On March 26th, 2000, to make way for the stadium, the Kingdome was demolished in the world’s largest implosion of a single concrete structure(29). Almost all of the Kingdome rubble was recycled with roughly half used for the new stadium. The designers were challenged by the soft soil at the site since it was a tidal marsh until public works projects in the early 20th century adjusted the waterline of nearby Elliot Bay. The top layer is a soft fill taken from the gardening projects that had leveled portions of Seattle’s hills. To account for the soft soil, the complex sits on over 2,200 pilings driven 50 to 70 feet below the ground to form what is essentially a pier for the foundation(30). Eight individually connected sections were built to account for the soil concerns, temperature effects, and the potential for earthquakes(31). The adjoining exhibition center and parking garage are separate structures and are not part of the eight-section stadium.(31)
The site of Lumen Field is the smallest of those developed for new NFL Stadiums, at 30 acres. The upper levels were cantilevered over the lower sections to fit within the limited space. Along with the angle of seats and the placement of the lower sections closer to the field, this provided a better view of the field than typically seen throughout the country and allowed for a 67,000-seat capacity(34). Space is available to increase the total capacity to 72,000 for special events. Included in the capacity are 111 suites and over 7,000 club seats. The stadium has 1,400 seats for those with disabilities and their companions located in various sections(34). In 2009, Qwest Field ranked 21st out of the 31 stadiums in the NFL for total seating capacity. (35)
The configuration of Lumen Field in a U-shape with an open north end provides views of downtown Seattle and the large 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(32). The stadium’s concourses were built to be wide, and they provide additional views of the surrounding area(36). A 13-story tower was erected at the north end of the stadium that visually compliments the Seattle skyline(37). The tower features a vertically oriented scoreboard which is the first of its kind in the NFL. At the base is a bleacher section for 3,000 called the “Hawks Nest”. Another addition not previously seen in the NFL is field-level luxury suites located directly behind the north end zone.(32)
Allen rejected plans for a retractable roof during the early stages of the stadium’s design. The lack of a retractable roof made it open to the elements, provided better views, and reduced the total cost of the project(32). The roof, at 200,000 square feet, covers 70% of the seats but leaves the field open(25). The roof spans 720 feet between concrete pylon supports at the north and south ends of the stadium. Its two expansive sections are held from below by trusses(39). From above, two arches with additional supports rise 200 feet over the field(38). Post-tensioned cables were used to achieve its final shape and positioning(40). To minimize damage in the event of an earthquake, the roof has a friction pendulum damper 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(31). A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Seattle area during construction. The structure responded as expected by the designers, and there was minimal damage(40). The project was completed on budget and a month ahead of schedule.(39)
The roof was originally painted white to aesthetically distinguish it from both T-Mobile Park and the nearby industrial area;(37) however, the paint gradually turned ash gray despite cleanings and repainting, prompting a blue-colored repaint of the roof from May to July 2010(41)(42). Light-emitting diodes following the outline of the stadium’s logo were subsequently installed on the roof in October 2019(43). The east side of the stadium has a large glass curtain wall that faces the nearby International District. The exterior of the stadium also consists of salmon-colored concrete, and the west side of the structure is partially clad with red brick. The coloring and façade were designed so the stadium would blend with the older buildings in neighboring Pioneer Square. To reduce costs, the exterior was not completed with brick or ornate steel work.(32)
In 2015, the stadium was expanded with the addition of the Toyota Fan Deck(b) on 5,775 square feet of space at its southern end; privately funded by the Seahawks, it consisted of a new 12-raising platform flanked by two 500-seat sections, pushing the capacity of the stadium to 68,000. The 1,000 additional seats were made available to then-current season ticket holders, with the remaining seats allocated to the Blue Pride waiting list for season tickets(45)(46). The stadium also has additional seats that can be deployed for special events, bringing the maximum capacity to 72,000.(47)
Lumen Field underwent minor renovations in 2022 as the stadium marked its twentieth anniversary. Improvements to the stadium made before the start of the 2022 Seahawks season include the conversion of an unused 6,300-square-foot space below the Hawks’ Nest into a food and beverage area on the concourse behind the Toyota Fan Deck, and the replacement of a pair of video display boards from Mitsubishi Electric that were more than double the size of the pre-existing ones(48), a 1,800-square-foot pregame hospitality area adjacent to the home team’s locker room was then opened for the 2023 Seahawks season; named the Tunnel Club, it allows spectators to view players walking between the locker room and field(49)(50). Additional planned renovations include the creation of two standing room open-air decks.(51)
Surface
The 1997 state referendum stated that the stadium would feature a natural grass surface, but FieldTurf was not an option when the stadium was originally presented to voters according to the Public Stadium Authority(52). Seahawks management reconsidered the playing surface after the Seahawks played on FieldTurf at Husky Stadium during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Artificial turf was installed because it was easier to maintain than natural grass. The potential damage to a natural grass field caused by Seattle’s frequent rain also made the surface an appealing option(32). To keep a grass surface robust under heavy football use during late fall and early winter rains, a $1.8 million irrigation and heating system would have been required(53). The coach of the Seahawks at the time, Mike Holmgren, said that FieldTurf installation was the right decision and stated that “the players love it, and I think this surface will offer a better product on the field for the fans.”(54) Local soccer fans were concerned that the lack of a natural grass field would hinder Seattle’s chances of receiving an MLS expansion franchise(53). They asserted that voters had approved the facility with the understanding that the new stadium was intended for soccer as well as football(54). In a compromise, First & Goal agreed to pay for grass to be installed for special events when needed.(55)
In 2002, Seahawks Stadium became the first stadium in the NFL to install a FieldTurf artificial field(20). The surface is made of plastic fibers rooted in a mixture of ground rubber and sand(53). The field was replaced in early 2008 after tests showed that compression of the sand and rubber increased the risk of player injuries. For the second installation, FieldTurf won the bid over Polytan. For the replacement surface, a one-inch poured rubber foundation was added to prevent the compression from reoccurring. Under the naming rights agreement, Qwest paid $500,000 for the installation and First & Goal paid the remaining amount, which was undisclosed(55). By 2010 the FieldTurf’s quality had decreased with the blades becoming matted down. It also failed FIFA’s quality testing to be ranked 2 Star. A new FieldTurf surface was laid down in 2012 and it met the requirements of a 2 Star field after testing(56). A new turf field, using the FieldTurf Revolution 360, was installed in February 2016 ahead of the 2016 Sounders season.(57)
There have been various opinions regarding both the artificial surface and temporary grass surfaces used for soccer matches. After the Brazilian national team defeated Canada’s side 3 – 2 in 2008, Brazil’s coach commented the one reason for his team’s unexpectedly poor performance was the loosely installed grass field(58). The Grenada national team struggled to cope with the artificial surface during their loss at the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup(59). In July 2009, the U.S. Soccer Foundation chose D.C. United’s RFK Stadium over Qwest Field for the U.S. Open Cup. The general manager of D.C. United speculated that RFK’s grass field was one of the reasons his team had a stronger bid(60). The general manager of the Sounders, Adrian Hanauer, told The Seattle Times in 2010 that replacement of the surface was a contributing conversation between the Sounders and Allen’s Vulcan Inc.(61). When the Los Angeles Galaxy traveled to Seattle in May 2012, the FieldTurf was noted one of the reasons David Beckham and Robbie Keane were left out of the lineup(62). In 2014, the field was criticized during an ESPN broadcast after an Amazon corporate event involving a game of Quidditch damaged the pitch before a Sounders match(63). Zach Scott expressed concerns over the same installation of the field and its effects on his body. The 10-year lease extension between Sounders FC and First & Goal announced in 2015 mandates new turf every four years or sooner; the first such new installation was in 2016.(64)(65)
Between August and November, both the Seahawks and Sounder FC host games at Lumen Field. Each team has emphasized the importance of playing their games without the other team’s painted lines on the field(66). Around 2003, at the Seahawks’ request, local company EcoChemical developed for the field a new kind of paint that is “designed to fail”. The new paint is relatively easy to remove with a power washer and a special chemical solution, a process that the company describes as environmentally friendly. With the new paint, converting the field between American football and soccer takes 14 hours in dry weather, though painting logos and other colors takes additional time(67). Despite various preparations, some Sounders matches – particularly in the playoffs – have had Seahawks logos and American football lines painted on the turf.(68)
References:
1. View from the southernmost point of the eastern
2. ($728 million in 2023 dollars(1))
Architect: Ellerbe Becket (2)
LMN Architects(2) Streeter & Associates(3)
Structural Engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Services Engineer: McKinstry/Cochran(2)
General Contractor: Turner Construction Company(2)
Tenants
1. Seattle Seahawks (NFL) 2002 – Present
2. Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) 2009 – Present
3. Seattle Reign FC (NWSL) 2022 – Present
4. Seattle Bowl (NCAA) 2002
5. Seattle Sounders (A-League/USL 1) 2003 – 2007
6. Washington Huskies (NCAA) 2011 – 2012
7. Seattle Dragons/Sea Dragons (XFL) 2020, 2023
Lumen Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington. Located in the city’s SoDo neighborhood, it is the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL), Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer (MLS), and Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Originally called Seahawks Stadium, it was renamed Qwest Field in June 2004 when telecommunications carrier Qwest acquired the naming rights. The stadium became known as Century Link Field following Qwest’s June 2011 acquisition by Century Link and was nicknamed “The Clink” as a result(4); it received its current name in November 2020 with CenturyLink’s rebrand to Lumen Technologies(5). It is a modern facility with views of the Downtown Seattle skyline and a seating capacity of 68,740 spectators for NFL games and 37,722 for most MLS matches. The complex also includes the Event Center which is home to the Washington Music Theater (WaMu Theatre), a parking garage, and a public plaza. The venue hosts concerts, trade shows, and consumer shows along with sporting events. Located within a mile of Downtown Seattle, the stadium is accessible by multiple freeways and forms of mass transit.
The stadium was built between 2000 and 2002 on the site of the Kingdom after voters approved funding for the construction in a statewide election held in June 1997. This vote created the Washington State Public Stadium Authority to oversee public ownership of the venue. The owner of the Seahawks, Paul Allen, formed First & Goal Inc. to develop and operate the new facilities. Allen was closely involved in the design process and emphasized the importance of an open-air venue with an intimate atmosphere.
Seahawks fans at Lumen Field have twice claimed the Guinness World Record for loudest crowd roar at an outdoor stadium, first at 136.6 decibels in 2013, followed by a measurement of 137.6 decibels in 2014. The crowd’s notorious noise has also contributed to the team’s home-field advantage with an increase in false starts (movement by an offensive player before the play) and delay of game (failure of the offense to snap the ball before the play clock expiring) penalties against visiting teams(6). The stadium was the first in the NFL to install a FieldTurf artificial surface. Numerous college and high school football games gave also been played at the stadium, including the 2011 Apple Cup and all Washington Huskies home games during the renovation of Husky Stadium in 2012. The XFL’s Seattle Dragons began playing at Lumen Field in 2020 and returned in 2023 as the Sea Dragons.
Lumen Field is also designed for soccer. The first sporting event included a United Soccer Leagues (USL) Seattle Founders match. The USL team began using the stadium regularly for home games in 2003. The MLS expansion team, Seattle Sounders FC, began its inaugural season in 2009 at the stadium. Lumen Field was the site of the MLS Cup in 2009 and 2019; the latter set a new attendance record for the stadium with 69,274 spectators. The venue also hosted the 2010 and 2011 tournament finals for the U.S. Open Cup as well as the second leg of the 2022 tournament for the CONCACAF Champions League; the Sounders won all three finals, with new tournament attendance records set for each final (or leg) hosted at Lumen Field. The stadium hosted several CONCACAF Gold Cup matches across multiple editions, including the Copa America Centenario in 2016. It will also host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was awarded to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (7)
Funding
The Seahawks played their home games at the Kingdome from their 1976 inaugural season until 1999, sharing the stadium with Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners and the National Basketball Association’s Seattle SuperSonics(8). In 1995, a proposal was made to issue county bonds to fund a remodeling project of the facility. The proposal failed, and as a result, Seahawks’ owner Ken Behring threatened to sell or move the team (likely to Los Angeles). In 1997 local billionaire Paul Allen pledged to acquire the team if a new stadium could be built and said that the team could not be profitable until they left the Kingdome. He asked the state legislature to hold a special statewide referendum on a proposal to finance a new stadium Allen also agreed to cover any cost overruns(9)(10). With Allen agreeing to pay the 4 million dollar cost, the legislature agreed. The vote was scheduled to be held in June 1997, but in May a Seattle resident filed a lawsuit that claimed the legislature did not have authority to call for such a vote since it would be paid for by a private party who could gain from the result. The case was delayed until after the vote(11). The proposal was pitched to voters as providing both a new home for the Seahawks and a venue for top-level soccer. It passed on June 17th, 1997,(12) with 820,364 (51.1%) in favor and 783,584 against(11)(13). The vote was close in Seattle, but it received 60% approval in Seattle’s northern and eastern suburbs. The public funding was unpopular farther away in the eastern portion of the state(14). In October, a Thurston County Superior Court judge ruled that the legislature acted properly and in the public’s interest, and he dismissed the pending lawsuit. The Washington Supreme Court upheld the decision that December.(11)(15)
Voter approval of the referendum created a public-private partnership(12). The Washington State Public Stadium Authority was created to oversee public ownership of the stadium, exhibition center, and parking garage complex. Allen purchased the Seahawks and formed First & Goal Inc. to build and operate the facility. The budget for the project was $430 million. Of this cost, $44 million was allotted to build the Event Center, $26 million for the parking garage, and $360 million for the stadium. First & Goal was to cover the cost overruns and pay up to $130 million for the project while the contribution from the public was capped at $300 million(16). The public funding package included new sports-related state lottery games, taxes on the facility’s admissions and parking, sales tax credits and deferrals, and an eight-year extension of the 2% tax on hotel rooms in King County(17). The taxes on admissions and parking were set below the authorized 10% to preserve the tax-exempt status of the project’s bonds, which were first issued on May 1st, 1999; the percentage was increased to the full amount when the bonds were completely paid on January 1st, 2021, with the taxes subsequently serving as dedicated funding sources for maintenance and modernization of the facilities(16)(18). Furthermore, a clause in the referendum required Allen or his estate to give the Public Stadium Authority 10% of the proceeds from the sale of a majority or all of their interest in the Seahawks if they had done so before or on the 25th anniversary of the first bond sale. The proceeds would have been reserved for the state’s public schools had a sale of the team occurred before the bonds were fully paid off; any sale in between the bond retirement and the clause expiration would have seen the proceeds go towards improvements to the stadium instead.(18)
In September 1998, First & Goal signed a 30-year stadium lease that includes options to extend for another 20(19). Per the agreement, the Public Stadium Authority receives $850,000 a year from First & Goal (adjusted for inflation), and First & Goal keeps all the revenue from the stadium and parking garage. The company receives 80% of the revenue from the exhibition center while the other 20 percent is allotted to a state education fund. First & Goal is responsible for all operating and maintenance costs, expected to be $6 million a year, and must keep the facility in “first-class” condition. Other details of the lease include the availability of affordable seats, a coordinated effort with neighboring T-Mobile Park (the Mariners’ current ballpark) to prevent gridlock, a provision for naming rights, the investment in public art at the stadium, and the giveaway of a luxury suite to a fan each Seahawk’s game.(19)
Construction and Layout
The architectural firm Ellerbe Becket, in association with Loschky, Marquardt, and Nesholm (LMN) Architects of Seattle, designed the 1.5 million square feet project. Allen was closely involved during the design process. While growing up he attended games at the University of Washington’s (UW) outdoor Husky Stadium. His goal was to create a similar experience and atmosphere at the new venue(20)(21). The exposition center portion of the project was designed over a period of 14 months by LMN Architects while First & Goal managed the construction(22)(23). Town meetings were held to discuss the impact on the public, and the company created a 6 million dollar mitigation fund for nearby neighborhoods(24). Per a program established by the building 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 trade unions.(25)
Construction of the new exhibition center and parking garage was set to commence on September 19th, 1998, but prolonged lease discussions between First & Goal and the Public Stadium Authority delayed the official groundbreaking to September 28th(26)(27). The exhibition center opened on October 30th, 1999, and subsequently hosted its first event on November 4th(28). On March 26th, 2000, to make way for the stadium, the Kingdome was demolished in the world’s largest implosion of a single concrete structure(29). Almost all of the Kingdome rubble was recycled with roughly half used for the new stadium. The designers were challenged by the soft soil at the site since it was a tidal marsh until public works projects in the early 20th century adjusted the waterline of nearby Elliot Bay. The top layer is a soft fill taken from the gardening projects that had leveled portions of Seattle’s hills. To account for the soft soil, the complex sits on over 2,200 pilings driven 50 to 70 feet below the ground to form what is essentially a pier for the foundation(30). Eight individually connected sections were built to account for the soil concerns, temperature effects, and the potential for earthquakes(31). The adjoining exhibition center and parking garage are separate structures and are not part of the eight-section stadium.(31)
The site of Lumen Field is the smallest of those developed for new NFL Stadiums, at 30 acres. The upper levels were cantilevered over the lower sections to fit within the limited space. Along with the angle of seats and the placement of the lower sections closer to the field, this provided a better view of the field than typically seen throughout the country and allowed for a 67,000-seat capacity(34). Space is available to increase the total capacity to 72,000 for special events. Included in the capacity are 111 suites and over 7,000 club seats. The stadium has 1,400 seats for those with disabilities and their companions located in various sections(34). In 2009, Qwest Field ranked 21st out of the 31 stadiums in the NFL for total seating capacity. (35)
The configuration of Lumen Field in a U-shape with an open north end provides views of downtown Seattle and the large 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(32). The stadium’s concourses were built to be wide, and they provide additional views of the surrounding area(36). A 13-story tower was erected at the north end of the stadium that visually compliments the Seattle skyline(37). The tower features a vertically oriented scoreboard which is the first of its kind in the NFL. At the base is a bleacher section for 3,000 called the “Hawks Nest”. Another addition not previously seen in the NFL is field-level luxury suites located directly behind the north end zone.(32)
Allen rejected plans for a retractable roof during the early stages of the stadium’s design. The lack of a retractable roof made it open to the elements, provided better views, and reduced the total cost of the project(32). The roof, at 200,000 square feet, covers 70% of the seats but leaves the field open(25). The roof spans 720 feet between concrete pylon supports at the north and south ends of the stadium. Its two expansive sections are held from below by trusses(39). From above, two arches with additional supports rise 200 feet over the field(38). Post-tensioned cables were used to achieve its final shape and positioning(40). To minimize damage in the event of an earthquake, the roof has a friction pendulum damper 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(31). A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Seattle area during construction. The structure responded as expected by the designers, and there was minimal damage(40). The project was completed on budget and a month ahead of schedule.(39)
The roof was originally painted white to aesthetically distinguish it from both T-Mobile Park and the nearby industrial area;(37) however, the paint gradually turned ash gray despite cleanings and repainting, prompting a blue-colored repaint of the roof from May to July 2010(41)(42). Light-emitting diodes following the outline of the stadium’s logo were subsequently installed on the roof in October 2019(43). The east side of the stadium has a large glass curtain wall that faces the nearby International District. The exterior of the stadium also consists of salmon-colored concrete, and the west side of the structure is partially clad with red brick. The coloring and façade were designed so the stadium would blend with the older buildings in neighboring Pioneer Square. To reduce costs, the exterior was not completed with brick or ornate steel work.(32)
In 2015, the stadium was expanded with the addition of the Toyota Fan Deck(b) on 5,775 square feet of space at its southern end; privately funded by the Seahawks, it consisted of a new 12-raising platform flanked by two 500-seat sections, pushing the capacity of the stadium to 68,000. The 1,000 additional seats were made available to then-current season ticket holders, with the remaining seats allocated to the Blue Pride waiting list for season tickets(45)(46). The stadium also has additional seats that can be deployed for special events, bringing the maximum capacity to 72,000.(47)
Lumen Field underwent minor renovations in 2022 as the stadium marked its twentieth anniversary. Improvements to the stadium made before the start of the 2022 Seahawks season include the conversion of an unused 6,300-square-foot space below the Hawks’ Nest into a food and beverage area on the concourse behind the Toyota Fan Deck, and the replacement of a pair of video display boards from Mitsubishi Electric that were more than double the size of the pre-existing ones(48), a 1,800-square-foot pregame hospitality area adjacent to the home team’s locker room was then opened for the 2023 Seahawks season; named the Tunnel Club, it allows spectators to view players walking between the locker room and field(49)(50). Additional planned renovations include the creation of two standing room open-air decks.(51)
Surface
The 1997 state referendum stated that the stadium would feature a natural grass surface, but FieldTurf was not an option when the stadium was originally presented to voters according to the Public Stadium Authority(52). Seahawks management reconsidered the playing surface after the Seahawks played on FieldTurf at Husky Stadium during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Artificial turf was installed because it was easier to maintain than natural grass. The potential damage to a natural grass field caused by Seattle’s frequent rain also made the surface an appealing option(32). To keep a grass surface robust under heavy football use during late fall and early winter rains, a $1.8 million irrigation and heating system would have been required(53). The coach of the Seahawks at the time, Mike Holmgren, said that FieldTurf installation was the right decision and stated that “the players love it, and I think this surface will offer a better product on the field for the fans.”(54) Local soccer fans were concerned that the lack of a natural grass field would hinder Seattle’s chances of receiving an MLS expansion franchise(53). They asserted that voters had approved the facility with the understanding that the new stadium was intended for soccer as well as football(54). In a compromise, First & Goal agreed to pay for grass to be installed for special events when needed.(55)
In 2002, Seahawks Stadium became the first stadium in the NFL to install a FieldTurf artificial field(20). The surface is made of plastic fibers rooted in a mixture of ground rubber and sand(53). The field was replaced in early 2008 after tests showed that compression of the sand and rubber increased the risk of player injuries. For the second installation, FieldTurf won the bid over Polytan. For the replacement surface, a one-inch poured rubber foundation was added to prevent the compression from reoccurring. Under the naming rights agreement, Qwest paid $500,000 for the installation and First & Goal paid the remaining amount, which was undisclosed(55). By 2010 the FieldTurf’s quality had decreased with the blades becoming matted down. It also failed FIFA’s quality testing to be ranked 2 Star. A new FieldTurf surface was laid down in 2012 and it met the requirements of a 2 Star field after testing(56). A new turf field, using the FieldTurf Revolution 360, was installed in February 2016 ahead of the 2016 Sounders season.(57)
There have been various opinions regarding both the artificial surface and temporary grass surfaces used for soccer matches. After the Brazilian national team defeated Canada’s side 3 – 2 in 2008, Brazil’s coach commented the one reason for his team’s unexpectedly poor performance was the loosely installed grass field(58). The Grenada national team struggled to cope with the artificial surface during their loss at the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup(59). In July 2009, the U.S. Soccer Foundation chose D.C. United’s RFK Stadium over Qwest Field for the U.S. Open Cup. The general manager of D.C. United speculated that RFK’s grass field was one of the reasons his team had a stronger bid(60). The general manager of the Sounders, Adrian Hanauer, told The Seattle Times in 2010 that replacement of the surface was a contributing conversation between the Sounders and Allen’s Vulcan Inc.(61). When the Los Angeles Galaxy traveled to Seattle in May 2012, the FieldTurf was noted one of the reasons David Beckham and Robbie Keane were left out of the lineup(62). In 2014, the field was criticized during an ESPN broadcast after an Amazon corporate event involving a game of Quidditch damaged the pitch before a Sounders match(63). Zach Scott expressed concerns over the same installation of the field and its effects on his body. The 10-year lease extension between Sounders FC and First & Goal announced in 2015 mandates new turf every four years or sooner; the first such new installation was in 2016.(64)(65)
Between August and November, both the Seahawks and Sounder FC host games at Lumen Field. Each team has emphasized the importance of playing their games without the other team’s painted lines on the field(66). Around 2003, at the Seahawks’ request, local company EcoChemical developed for the field a new kind of paint that is “designed to fail”. The new paint is relatively easy to remove with a power washer and a special chemical solution, a process that the company describes as environmentally friendly. With the new paint, converting the field between American football and soccer takes 14 hours in dry weather, though painting logos and other colors takes additional time(67). Despite various preparations, some Sounders matches – particularly in the playoffs – have had Seahawks logos and American football lines painted on the turf.(68)
References:
1. View from the southernmost point of the eastern
grandstand's upper deck, looking northwards.
The field, dressed in an American football format,
is decorated with the livery of the Seattle
Seahawks, the stadium's home tenant.
2. The Toyota Fan Deck is sponsored by the
Western Washington Toyota Dealers, an
association of local Toyota dealers; it is not
sponsored directly by Toyota.[44]
3. 2002 also marked the Seahawks' first season in
the National Football Conference (NFC) since
their inaugural season in 1976; they were
members of the American Football Conference
4. Under then-current NFL policy, a game that
failed to sell out 72 hours prior to its start time
would result in its blackout in the home team's
television market. This policy was effectively
suspended in 2015.[88]
5. All Seahawks home games during the 2020
season were played without spectators due to
6. As of 2014, the Seahawks refer to their fans as
the "12s" due to licensing restrictions from
Texas A&M University, which holds the rights
1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much
Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal
Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price
Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved
2013. Archived from the original on January 23,
Journal of Commerce. June 27, 2002. Retrieved
of Sports in Seattle Begins". Seattle Seahawks.
June 23, 2011. Archived from the original on
Field". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November
The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved November
be the surface of Lumen Field". The Seattle
of Sundays with the Hawks". Seattle Post-Intelli-
gencer. Retrieved March 20, 2012.[permanent
New Facility Is Open". Seattle Times. Retrieved
Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on
November 17, 2009. Retrieved September
begin play in '09". ESPN. Associated Press.
Archived from the original on November 16,
2007. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
13. "Seattle Gets OK to Build New Stadium". The
13. "Seattle Gets OK to Build New Stadium". The
Rocky Mountain News. News Wire Services.
June 27, 1997.
14. Schaefer, David; Serrano, Barbara; Varner,
14. Schaefer, David; Serrano, Barbara; Varner,
Lynne (June 19, 1997). "Stadium Won Big In
hawk Issue Less Popular". The Seattle Times.
court". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.
Center" (PDF). Washington State Legislature.
Archived from the original (PDF) on October
The New York Times. p. 2. Retrieved
unlikely before May 2024". The Seattle Times.
25, 1998). "Seahawks Sign Lease For 30 Years
At New Stadium". The Seattle Times. Retrieved
drive team to higher level". Seattle Post-Intelli-
Allen, Seahawks owner". Tribune-Review.
Archived from the original on October 22, 2006.
engineers". Puget Sound Business Journal.
six-year effort". Puget Sound Business Journal.
million dollar mitigation". Seattle Daily
Journal of Commerce. Retrieved December
Building Design+Construction. Retrieved
Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. B2 – via NewsBank.
28. Jump up to:a b Fryer, Alex (October 29, 1999).
28. Jump up to:a b Fryer, Alex (October 29, 1999).
host trade and consumer shows". The Seattle
make stadium strong". Seattle Daily Journal
Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. Re-
(August 2, 2002). "Allen's vision: Open
venue with a view". The Seattle Times.
Archived from the original on April 17,
Seahawks Stadium". Puget Sound Business
ESPN. September 17, 2009. Retrieved
2002). "Taking fans beyond the game".
Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.
Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.
hawks Stadium" (PDF). Modern Steel
Construction. Archived from the original
(PDF) on November 26, 2010. Retrieved
1, 2001). "Tackling a Stadium Project".
Point of Beginning Magazine. A/E/C
Media Group. Cover Story. Retrieved
love". Seattle Sports Blog. Seattle Post-
Seattle Sports Blog. Seattle Post-
Lighting From Signify" (Press release).
Seattle Seahawks. October 3, 2019.
Link Field" (Press release). Seattle Sea-
hawks. February 23, 2015. Archived from
the original on November 17, 2015.
expanding the Clink". Puget Sound
than quantity". The Seattle Times. Retrieved
up at Lumen Field". Seattle Daily Journal of
Commerce. July 22, 2022. Retrieved April 1,
'23 NFL season". Sports Business Journal.
Field" (Press release). Lumen Field. February
FieldTurf". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
September 27, 2001. Retrieved September
stadium". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Re-
from players". USA Today. Retrieved
replaced". Puget Sound Business Journal.
The Seattle Times. Retrieved February
Canada 3–2". USA Today. Retrieved April
in Gold Cup". Reuters. July 4, 2009.
Responds to Sounders". The Washington
Post. Archived from the original on January
7, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
59. Mayers, Joshua (September 15, 2010).
59. Mayers, Joshua (September 15, 2010).
with Sounders FC". The Seattle Times.
Major League Soccer. Archived from the
original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved
May 4, 2012.
61. Oshan, Jeremiah (August 1, 2014).
61. Oshan, Jeremiah (August 1, 2014).
Sounder At Heart. Retrieved March 10,
The Seattle Times. Retrieved
November 6, 2022.
64. Romero, José Miguel (August 25, 2009).
64. Romero, José Miguel (August 25, 2009).
games". The Seattle Times. Archived
from the original on August 27, 2009.
Retrieved November 30, 2009.
65. Chris, Daniels (September 12, 2013).
65. Chris, Daniels (September 12, 2013).
football field in 48 hours". KING 5.
Archived from the original on September
22, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
66. Oshan, Jeremiah (November 1, 2013).
66. Oshan, Jeremiah (November 1, 2013).
Timbers playoff matchup". MLSsoccer.
com. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
No comments:
Post a Comment