Seattle’s Lumen Field Reveals its Secrets

Seattle is a popular tourist destination. Many come here to start their cruise to Alaska. Others enjoy exploring Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center with its Space Needle and Chihuley Glass Exhibit. Of course wandering the newly rebuilt waterfront is another attraction. Once a visitor has done all that, then what? As in every city there are always some less obvious sights to see. One such option in Seattle is a tour of Seattle’s football and soccer field, Lumen Field.

It may surprise some people to know that tours of sports arenas and fields are actually possible all over the United States. While one can certainly attend a game at the field, usually visitors are limited in the places they can go then. A behind the scenes tour can offer entry into places the average person might never see. When Climate Pledge Arena opened, we were able to visit and see the public spaces, but they also have a behind the scenes tour. T-Mobile park, home of the Seattle Mariners, also offers tours of its facilities. So pick your place or do all three. It can make for a sports themed vacation.

I wanted to check out Lumen Field as I had never been inside. This seemed the perfect opportunity to learn something about this major stadium in Seattle. There is no regular schedule for tours. It all depends on what is happening at the stadium. Obviously on game days tours are not available. Also concert days and other events will mean no tours. To determine available dates just go online and check out the schedule for the tours. Usually there are multiple times throughout the day in which tours are available so you can go at your convenience. The tours last about an hour. The tour was pricier than I expected. I guess I was spoiled by being able to visit the Amazon Spheres for free.

We took the light rail downtown and got off at the stadium exit. It was a bit of a walk from there to Lumen Field up over the railroad tracks. Going back home we used the International District stop which seemed just as close. Since we arrived early, I wandered around taking some photos of the exterior of the field.

Our instructions indicated we should be in the gift shop a half hour before the tour time, but we just stood around waiting. I suppose they are hoping guests might buy something from the shop. It turns out there were only seven people in our tour group so we didn’t have any trouble hearing our volunteer guide. They gave us a lanyard with a pass which we could keep, and then we had a brief security check.

We started out by going to the very top where they have a flagpole with the 12 flag for the Seahawks. Before we reached the elevator, we passed by the Wall of Legends which honored some of the great Seahawk players over time.

We had to walk up a short flight of stairs to the flagpole area. The spot offers a great view of the field. They had a small version of the 12 flag which we were able to have a photo taken with it. Silvette wanted me to do it so I did although I felt a little foolish.

We then walked down into the stadium seating itself where we got a little closer view of the seats. We also had a good view of the flagpole area where we had just been. One surprising thing we learned was that there are standing room spaces. These are numbered squares in front of a wall on an aisle. Fans will pay to stand in those spaces during the game. Depending on the game, those spaces could cost over $100. Our guide indicated that while that seemed a lot just to stand, many fans, even with seats, stood throughout most of the games.

To go back down to a lower floor we went outside and saw the view of Seattle and Puget Sound. From this position there was not a great view of Seattle itself, but perhaps there is from other locations. Our guide used this moment to talk about the construction of the stadium. It is actually six separate structures joined together. The idea is that the joints allow for more flex in case of an earthquake or other movements of the earth.

Our next stop was one of the suites. There are quite a few suites, and they go all the way around the stadium. We learned that corporations lease them by the year not by the game, so the owners could use them for any event throughout the year. The Oberto company leases the one we visited. Our guide said the suites lease for “six figures” and that number varies by size and location. Visitors still need to buy a ticket to the game, and if they want food, it’s extra. Suites do have their own bathrooms.

It was time to go down to the locker rooms. Our guide informed us that no one is allowed in the Seahawks’s locker room without authorization. They are very protective of that space as players keep personal items there. The Sounders also have their own locker room. Our tour took us to the locker room for the visiting soccer team which I think is the lowest one on the totem pole. It was a pretty basic locker room although fairly large. The coach has a room of his own to work from at the entrance to the locker room. This part of the tour was a bit disappointing.

The press conference room was another stop on our tour. This is the room where the media would gather after a game, and the coach would make comments and answer questions. The room is not a very big room. There were seats for maybe 30 to 40 people as well as a platform in the back for cameras. The tour guide encouraged people to stand at the front podium to have their picture taken against the Seahawk backdrop, but I didn’t take the opportunity. To get to the interview room we passed by the entrance to the illusive Seahawk’s locker room.

From the press room we headed to a location called the EQC Tunnel Club. This was a place where one could purchase a ticket and be there before game time. Food and drinks are provided, but the real benefit is that the Seahawk players pass through this room just before they go into the tunnel and out onto the field. Fans in the club can high five or otherwise have a brief interaction with the players. For that privilege a limited number of patrons pay $2000 each.

Our group now went out through that tunnel and onto the field. We passed through the doorway which is just a metal garage type door they raise and lower. We could only stand in the corner of the field. From this vantage point we could see a number of mementos of Seahawk history throughout the stadium including retired jerseys and names of players and coaches from the Circle of Fame.

With that our tour ended. Our guide had been a very genial and informative man, and I learned a number of things, mainly how expensive it is to attend a Seahawk’s game. I was somewhat disappointed as the tour page indicated we would be shown the broadcast booths, but that was not a part of the tour. While I do think the tour is a bit overpriced, if you are a football or soccer fan, you may well find this an informative and interesting way to spend an hour of your day. And if not Lumen Field, check out the other sport’s fields in Seattle. Go Hawks!!!

Have you ever toured any sports stadiums in the US? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comment box below.