Field Gulls
These upgrades won’t necessarily be for Seahawks games post-World Cup.
There are changes coming to the longtime home of the Seattle Seahawks.
Lumen Field is one of the 16 venues scheduled to host the FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2026 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While it’s already known as a great soccer venue through Seattle Sounders FC, Reign FC, and other international team matches, there are some upgrades that must be made in order to comply with the regulations of the otherwise upstanding FIFA organization.
Washington State legislature and Gov. Bob Ferguson just approved over $19 million in funds for pre-World Cup upgrades for Lumen Field... or ‘Seattle Stadium’ as it will soon be temporarily known, as FIFA doesn’t allow corporate-sponsored stadium names to be used unless they’re official FIFA sponsors.
Not all of these upgrades will remain in place for Seahawks games, but they’re nevertheless going to make the stadium look significantly different come next summer. Here’s the rundown from Axios, who spoke with stadium general manager Zach Hensley.
That will require a new irrigation and ventilation system, along with grow lights and maintenance equipment, Hensley said.
Other changes are designed to create more space for media, such as by removing some of the stadium’s corner seating.
FIFA requires all seats to have backs, which means upgrading the bleacher-style seating in the Hawks Nest, located at the north end zone.
The stadium will also install turnstiles and other security upgrades, such as new bollards, lighting and cameras.
Upon completion of the World Cup in July—Seattle’s final match is July 6 in the Round of 16—the natural grass will be flipped back to artificial turf in time for the Seahawks to return to action.
Obviously the playing surface can’t be swapped for natural grass until the Seahawks’ home slate is over, which maybe not coincidentally is the earliest of any NFL team this year when they host the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16 on a Thursday night. Ideally, the Seahawks are tacking on home games to the schedule for January 2026.
Lumen Field will host the Sounders’ three group stage matches in this needlessly expanded reimagined summer edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. Naming rights can stay intact.
