Lumen Field
The loudest outdoor stadium, where the 12th Man's roar sets world records.
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 NFL, Seattle Sounders FC of MLS, and Seattle Reign FC of the NWSL. The stadium was built between 2000 and 2002 on the site of the Kingdome after voters approved funding in a June 1997 statewide election. Originally called Seahawks Stadium, it was renamed Qwest Field in 2004, then CenturyLink Field in 2011, and received its current name in November 2020. It has a seating capacity of 68,740 for NFL games and 37,722 for most MLS matches.
- Location
- Seattle, Washington
- Opened
- 2002
- Capacity
- 68,740 (NFL)
- Previous Names
- Seahawks Stadium, Qwest Field, CenturyLink Field
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The culture of Lumen Field is defined by the notorious noise of Seahawks fans, who have twice claimed the Guinness World Record for loudest crowd roar at an outdoor stadium, in 2013 and 2014. This crowd noise has contributed to the team's home field advantage, increasing false start and delay of game penalties against visiting teams. The stadium was the first in the NFL to install a FieldTurf artificial surface. Owner Paul Allen was closely involved in the design process, emphasizing the importance of an open-air venue with an intimate atmosphere, inspired by his experiences at the University of Washington's outdoor Husky Stadium. The stadium sits on over 2,200 pilings driven 50 to 70 feet below ground to account for the soft soil of the former tidal marsh.
In Their Own Story
The first sporting event held at the stadium included a United Soccer Leagues Seattle Sounders match. The USL team began using the stadium regularly 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 U.S. Open Cup finals, as well as the second leg of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final; the Sounders won all three finals, with new tournament attendance records set for each. The stadium hosted several CONCACAF Gold Cup matches, the Copa América Centenario in 2016, and will host six matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, temporarily renamed Seattle Stadium.
Reader's Guide
Seahawks fans at Lumen Field are known for their noise, which has twice set the Guinness World Record for loudest crowd roar at an outdoor stadium. The crowd's noise contributes to the team's home field advantage by causing false start and delay of game penalties against visiting teams. The stadium was the first in the NFL to install a FieldTurf artificial surface. Numerous college and high school football games have also been played here, including the 2011 and 2024 Apple Cups 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.
Did You Know?
- The stadium was built on the site of the Kingdome, which was demolished in the world's largest implosion of a single concrete structure on March 26, 2000.
- The complex sits on over 2,200 pilings driven 50 to 70 feet below ground to account for the soft soil of a former tidal marsh.
- The stadium was the first in the NFL to install a FieldTurf artificial surface.
- Seahawks fans set the Guinness World Record for loudest crowd roar at an outdoor stadium in both 2013 and 2014.
- The stadium will be temporarily renamed Seattle Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where it will host six matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lumen Field located?
The stadium sits in the SoDo district of downtown Seattle, Washington. It serves as the primary home for both the NFL's Seahawks and MLS's Sounders FC.
When did construction finish on the venue?
Lumen Field officially opened its doors to fans in 2002 to replace the aging Kingdome. This timing marked a new era of modern facilities for Seattle sports teams.
Why is Lumen Field considered so loud?
Architects designed the structure with specific acoustic features that amplify crowd noise significantly. This creates an intimidating environment often cited as the loudest stadium on Earth.
What was the stadium called before 2019?
Prior to its current name, the venue operated under CenturyLink Field and originally debuted as Qwest Field. These changes reflect different corporate naming rights agreements over time.
How many fans can attend a Seahawks game there?
The NFL configuration allows for approximately 69,000 spectators to fill the stands. This massive capacity fuels the energy of the famous 12th Man tradition.
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