CenturyLink Field

Grab your earplugs and your 12th Man jersey, and you’ll be ready for game day at CenturyLink Field. Conveniently located just outside of downtown Seattle, CenturyLink Field attracts fans from all over Washington and Oregon. The stadium is one of the smallest by volume in the NFL, but don’t let that fool you; Seahawks fans pack a punch here. Are you ready for a game day experience you won’t soon forget? Welcome to CenturyLink Field.

At A Glance:

Who: CenturyLink Field is home to the Seattle Seahawks.

Where: CenturyLink Field is located just south of downtown Seattle, Washington.

What:

In June 1997, Seattle voters approved a measure to build a new home for the Seattle Seahawks. Paul Allen bought the Seahawks and championed the deal, and in 2002, Qwest Field opened for its premiere game: Seahawks vs. Colts. The field was renamed CenturyLink Field in 2011 when CenturyLink acquired Qwest.

The stadium is home to both the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Sounders FC of the MLS. The U-shaped field provides beautiful views of Seattle on the north end. In the middle of the north end, and complementing the views of the city, is a 13-story tower that holds the “Hawk’s Nest,” a unique seating experience among NFL stadiums.

The stadium features a retractable roof for days when Seattle rain doesn’t dominate game days. The original 1997 agreement called for natural grass, but both Paul Allen and the stadium owners reconsidered in 2000 after the Seahawks played on artificial turf at Husky Stadium. The current ground cover, FieldTurf, is a much more practical solution in a place as rain-drenched as Seattle.

Trivia:

• CenturyLink Field is notoriously loud. The stadium has claimed the Guinness World Record for loudest venue twice: first in 2013 and again in 2014.
• The noise of the crowd is so severe that it has led to a home team advantage, increasing the occurrence of false starts and delays of game for the opposing team.
• As part of the agreement between owner Paul Allen and the city of Seattle, a luxury suite is given away to a fan for free at every game.
• Seahawks call their fans “the 12th man,” as in the 12th man on the 11-person team. Fans frequently wear jerseys with the number 12 on the back.
• CenturyLink Field sits atop the remnants of Kingdome Stadium (the original home of the Seahawks). In 2000, the stadium was destroyed in the world’s largest implosion of a single structure.
• The rubble from Kingdome Stadium was recycled, and about half of it was used to build CenturyLink Field.
• CenturyLink Field is built on the smallest site in the NFL (of the modern NFL stadiums). To fit 67,000 fans in the space, the architects designed a layout placing the seats closer to the field than any other NFL stadium. Additionally, the upper levels are balanced above the lower levels (as opposed to the typical “bowl” layout of most NFL stadiums). The result is some of the best views of the field in the NFL and a comfy, close-knit atmosphere.
• Between August and November, the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders both use the field, and neither team is willing to play with the other team’s colors on the field. As a compromise, the team created a new kind of paint that is easily washed off with a pressure washer. It takes 14 hours to repaint before each game.

Seating Options:

CenturyLink Field boasts 111 luxury suites, seating 12, 14, 18,24, or 36 people. Suite owners get more than just a terrific seat in one of the most exciting and loud stadiums in the NFL; they also get unprecedented benefits. On game days, suite owners get team access, so you can invite your favorite players to your suite before the game to make an impression on your guests. You’ll also get VIP invitations to team events, discounts at the Pro Shop, and perks like reserved parking, private suite access, a full-time dedicated staff, and an expansive catering menu.

Food & Drinks:

As of March 1, 2017, First & Goal Hospitality Inc. took over catering and concessions at CenturyLink Field. FGH is committed to providing local products to fans whenever possible. Food options at CenturyLink Field are widely considered to be some of the best in the NFL. Munch on chicken and waffles, pulled pork sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries, garlic fries, and nachos. Vegan choices are available from Chef John Howie at Grab & Go. Outside the stadium, you can try food from rotating food trucks.

What To Do When You Visit:

Take a Tour: CenturyLink Field offers tours year round. Tours are offered daily June 1st-September 30th and Friday, Saturday and Sunday the rest of the year. There are no tours offered on game days. Tour stops can change depending on construction, but a typical tour includes stops at the Helmet Wall, the field, the Seahawks interview room, the visiting team’s locker room, the “12” flag pole, Verizon Lounge, a luxury suite, the press box, the Wall of Legends, and the Super Bowl XLVIII Numbers.

Visit Touchdown City: Located inside the CenturyLink Field Event Center, Touchdown City offers a fun, interactive experience for fans of all ages. Play games and join contests, get a fake tattoo, see the Sea Gals and Blue Thunder perform, and hope to catch a glimpse of Blitz and BOOM (the Seahawks mascots). Touchdown City is open three hours prior to kickoff.

Take in the art: CenturyLink Field is filled with art from local and national artists. Art is so important to the people of Seattle that there is a provision in the original stadium contract to invest in local art for the stadium.

Parking/Mass Transit:

• Whether you’re coming from Tacoma, Everett, or downtown Seattle, Sound Transit will deliver you to King Station, just a football field’s length away from CenturyLink Field.
• Amtrack Cascades provides easy transportation to games from Portland and Vancouver.
• Parking is available throughout the surrounding area for fees ranging from $10-$40 (subject to change and demand).
• The passenger drop-off location makes it convenient to catch an Uber or Lyft to the game.

Want to get to know that 12th man pride? Contact Seat Valet today to learn how you can get a personal seat license from CenturyLink Field to watch the Seahawks play.