Lumen Field: Seattle's Premier Multi-Sport Arena

Located in the heart of Seattle, Lumen Field stands as a cornerstone of Pacific Northwest sports and entertainment. From the thunderous roars of NFL fans to the precision of international soccer, this versatile venue has hosted some of the most iconic moments in modern athletics. Owned by the Washington State Public Stadium Authority, the stadium is renowned for its unique architecture and its ability to create an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.

Since its opening in 2002, the venue has undergone several name changes—previously known as Seahawks Stadium, Qwest Field, and CenturyLink Field—reflecting the evolving landscape of corporate partnerships. Today, it serves as a multi-purpose hub that seamlessly transitions between American football, professional soccer, and global events.

A stadium under construction with two cranes positioned where the field will eventually be installed. The terraced seating sections rise above the partially complete concourse levels, and half of the roof is in place. — The stadium under construction in 2001

Key Facts

Opened: July 28, 2002
Primary Tenants: Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), and Seattle Reign FC (NWSL)
Surface: FieldTurf CORE
Record Attendance: 77,286 (Ed Sheeran concert, 2023)
Construction Cost: $430 million for the entire complex
Notable Feature: Famous for extreme crowd noise, once reaching 136.6 decibels

Construction and Design

The journey of Lumen Field began with a groundbreaking on September 28, 1998. The project was a collaborative effort involving architects Ellerbe Becket, LMN Architects, and Streeter & Associates, with structural engineering provided by Magnusson Klemencic Associates. The general contractor, Turner Construction Company, brought the $430 million complex to life, a cost estimated at approximately $770 million in 2025 dollars.

The stadium from the air on a clear day. SEAHAWKS STADIUM is painted on the white partial roof. The stadium is surrounded by roads and buildings. — The stadium after completion in 2002

The stadium's layout is designed for maximum efficiency and fan engagement. It features 111 executive suites and a massive scoreboard system, including a primary screen measuring 84 ft by 24 ft. One of the most distinctive elements of the design is the roof structure, which helps trap and amplify sound, contributing to the venue's reputation as one of the loudest stadiums in the world.

Two stadiums in an industrial area. Both have roofs with large arched trusses. — The roofs of Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park

Playing Surface

The field utilizes FieldTurf CORE, a high-performance synthetic grass system. This surface is critical for the stadium's dual-purpose nature, meeting the rigorous demands of both the NFL and FIFA's 2-Star testing standards for soccer. The field dimensions are adjusted based on the sport: 120 yd × 53.3 yd for American football and 116 yd × 75 yd for soccer.

A stadium with a soccer pitch at dusk. The lower tier is filled with people. — The stadium prior to a Sounders match on FieldTurf

A Hub for Professional Sports

Lumen Field is most famous as the home of the Seattle Seahawks. The stadium's design creates a legendary home-field advantage, where the fans—known as the "12th Man"—use the architecture to create a wall of sound that has historically disrupted opposing teams' communications.

A stadium filled with spectators with two football teams on the field between a play. — A regular season game for the Seahawks in 2016

A blue flag with a white number 12 flies against a clear sky. An expansive white roof truss is behind the flagpole. — The 12th Man flag and a portion of the roof's support truss

Beyond the NFL, the stadium is a fortress for soccer. It has hosted the Seattle Sounders FC since 2009 and the Seattle Reign FC since 2022. The venue's versatility has also allowed it to host the Washington Huskies (NCAA) and the Seattle Dragons of the XFL.

In an American football game, a runner with the ball faces a defender while a blocker locks with another defensive player. — Washington hosting Air Force in 2005

The lower grandstand of a stadium filled with people during a game, while the upper stands are covered by decorative tarps. The stadium has distinctive trusses for support. — The stadium with its upper tier covered during an OL Reign match in 2023

A stand of a stadium with fans holding a large banner depicting the Space Needle. Green and blue flags wave throughout the stand and the flags of different nations are held by people on the field. — The south end of the stadium before the Sounders FC inaugural match

The field and surrounding seats with pre-game pageantry on the field. — A regular season match for the Sounders in 2024, seen prior to kick-off

Global Stage: FIFA World Cups

Lumen Field's international profile continues to grow through its partnership with FIFA. The stadium hosted matches during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and is a key venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For the 2026 tournament, the venue is rebranded as "Seattle Stadium," with Lumen branding covered to comply with FIFA regulations.

Lumen Field during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

"Seattle Stadium" with Lumen branding covered for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The stadium's ability to adapt is further evidenced by its selection as a host for the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup, cementing its status as a premier global soccer destination.

Lumen Field during the group stage match between Belgium and Egypt.

Beyond the Game: The Event Center and Transit

The complex includes an Event Center that serves the community beyond sports. This facility has been used for diverse purposes, including serving as a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination site in April 2021.

Main exhibition hall at the Event Center during a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination session in April 2021

Aerial view of an empty stadium with prominent arches. The surrounding area has railroad tracks, a plaza, and a parking garage. — Aerial view of Lumen Field (then CenturyLink Field) in 2011, showing its blue painted roof

Accessibility is a priority for the venue, which is served by the Stadium International District/Chinatown light rail stop and is located near King Street Station. For those driving, the stadium offers 3,100 spaces in its parking garage and an additional 7,500 spaces in surrounding lots.

The last commuter train at a train station with a brightly lit stadium nearby. The stadium's roof supports are colored with green and red lights for the Christmas season. — A Sounder commuter train and Amtrak's Coast Starlight at nearby King Street Station after a Seahawks game in 2008

Stadium Specifications Summary

Lumen Field Technical Overview
Feature	Detail
Address	800 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle, WA
Owner	Washington State Public Stadium Authority
Surface Type	FieldTurf CORE
NFL Field Size	120 yd × 53.3 yd
Soccer Field Size	116 yd × 75 yd
Parking Capacity	10,600 total spaces

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the previous names of Lumen Field?

The stadium has been known as Seahawks Stadium (2002–2004), Qwest Field (2004–2011), and CenturyLink Field (2011–2020) before becoming Lumen Field.

Which professional teams call Lumen Field home?

The primary tenants are the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), and Seattle Reign FC (NWSL).

What is the record attendance at the stadium?

The record attendance was set during an Ed Sheeran concert on August 26, 2023, with 77,286 people in attendance.

How is the stadium used for the FIFA World Cup?

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the venue is rebranded as "Seattle Stadium" to meet FIFA requirements, and the playing surface is adapted for international soccer standards.

What makes Lumen Field so loud?

The stadium's architectural design, specifically the roof's support trusses and coverage, helps trap and reflect sound back onto the field, amplifying the noise created by the fans.