Seattle Game Day Survival Guide
Whatever your sport of choice may be, Seattle’s SoDo district has a stadium destination for you. From football and soccer to baseball, the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders FC, and Seattle Mariners provide game day retreats for all Seattlelites to enjoy all year round (and concerts too!). If you’re heading out to a main event, here are some helpful tips to remember when heading to the stadium.
Know Before You go
What to Wear
Double check the weather and your seat location to see if you are under cover or not. Depending on the time of year you will want to layer up for game day. In addition to your sweater and jacket, you may want to grab a scarf, hat & gloves. Preferably, in your favorite teams’ colors. Expecting sunshine? Don’t forget your hat and sunglasses.
Bag Reminder
Bags are not allowed inside Lumen Field unless they are 100% clear (and no larger than a gallon-size zip bag). If you forget this rule, don’t worry you can still go to the game; you’ll just need to rent a locker outside of the stadium.
At T-Mobile Park, only bags 16" x 16" x 8" or smaller are permitted inside. Guests will be able to check their bags for size outside the gates. Oversized bags will not be allowed inside the ballpark.
Enjoy a Pregame Tailgate
On Seahawk game days, Utah Avenue becomes “Hawk Alley” and is filled with fans tailgating. Grab a hot dog, take a look around at the exhibition hall and the team store, and join in the fun!
How to Get There
Fortunately, for sports fans, there are plenty of public transportation options to choose from when trying to make it before kick-off. Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park are both a couple minute walk from the Sound Transit Light Rail and a number of bus options stop at Stadium Station Tunnel and the Sounder train cruises up from Tacoma on weekdays and stops at the stadium as well. Keep your ticket handy, during the season the Light Rail is free during Mariner home games for fans heading to the game.
Want to skip the parking?
Avoid the headache of finding and paying for a parking spot with these other transportation options.
- Take the bus
- Hop on the Sound Transit Light rail or Seattle Streetcar
- Grab a rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
Are you driving?
You’re in luck! There are plenty of parking options. Expect to pay between $35-50 for parking at most events. And allow for extra time getting to and from the added stadium area traffic congestion that occurs before and after games.
- Lumen Field Parking Guide
- Mariners Parking Options
- Want to save money and avoid crowds/traffic? Find a spot or lot further away from the stadiums. Depending on how far, you can take a nice walk over or hop on one of the many bike shares around.
Where to Eat
Outside the Stadium
It would be hard to count every one of the Seattle bar and restaurant options available to us on game day. Here are just a couple of our favorites near the stadium. Have another? Please share below.
- The Hawks Nest Sports Bar
- Seattle’s Historic Triangle Pub
- Sluggers
- Uwajimaya
- Food trucks all around!
Inside the Stadium
Pacific Northwest flavors join together at both stadiums combining a wide variety including classic ballpark concessions like hot dogs and burgers to Asian and BBQ cuisine. Sodas and beer options are also available.
- All stadium food options are listed at Lumen Field Concessions Guide, Sounders Matchdays, and T-Mobile Park Food Map.
Need cash? We have a Seattle Credit Union ATM right across the street from T-Mobile Park.
Enjoy the game!