Seattle Seahawks · NFL · NFC West

Tailgating at Lumen Field

The north side of Lumen Field in Seattle at dusk, with the stadium tower between the two roof arches
Photo: SounderBruce, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped

Seattle doesn't tailgate at its stadium; it pregames in the old brick bars of Pioneer Square, which fill two to three hours before kickoff. Ride the train to the Pioneer Square stop instead of the Stadium stop three minutes from the gate, so the walk takes you down through the bars instead of past them. Get oysters at Taylor Shellfish two hours out, stop at McCoy's Firehouse on the walk down, and if you've got kids, head to Hatback and Victory Hall in SODO, where the food trucks set up well before kickoff. Be in your seat 15 minutes early: the 12 Flag goes up in the south end zone, and who raises it is a secret until it happens.

The lot answer

There's no tailgating anywhere on Lumen Field property, and the North Lot and garage are sold out to season pass holders, so come by train: Sound Transit's Sounder runs game-day service to King Street Station, a football field from the stadium. Driving? Skip it within 3 hours of kickoff, when the streets around the stadium gridlock; if you have to, the team suggests the Union Station Garage on 4th Ave S or the Mariners Garage by T-Mobile Park.

Get the Pregame for the Seahawks. Your lot, your game and what to cook, every week. Free.Get the Pregame for the Seahawks

tailgating on stadium property
No
before kickoff: indoor pregame
3 hrs
gates open before kickoff
2 hrs
3 light rail stations nearby
Link
Get the Pregame for the SeahawksEmail me Or get the one-page game-day sheet
Rules checked Oct 14, 2026
Sources

Rules last verified Oct 14, 2026 against seahawks.com and lumenfield.com.

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Can't miss

  1. Raising the 12 flag Someone different hoists the 12th Man flag at the south end before every game, and the noise that follows is why a Seahawks run once registered on a seismograph, the 2011 "Beast Quake."
  2. Pike Place Market the morning of It's about a half-hour walk north along the waterfront: the fish counter throwing salmon, and the crowd outside the first Starbucks.

Quick answers

Can you tailgate at Lumen Field?

No. Tailgating isn't permitted anywhere on Lumen Field property, the North Lot and garage included. The team sends fans to Ticketmaster Tailgate in the Event Center, open 3 hours before kickoff.

Can you grill near Lumen Field?

Not on stadium property. Private lots nearby set their own rules, so ask the operator before you bring a grill.

Can you drink before a Seahawks game?

Ticketmaster Tailgate has a 21+ sports bar. Outside drinks can't come into the stadium or the Event Center, other than factory-sealed water.

Do you need a ticket for Ticketmaster Tailgate?

Yes. Game tickets are scanned at the door.

How do you park for a Seahawks game?

The North Lot and garage are sold out to season pass holders, with no single-game passes. The team suggests Union Station Garage or the Mariners Garage by T-Mobile Park, or skipping the car for Link.

Getting in

This is a train-and-walk stadium. Driving works only if you've planned the garage in advance.

Link light rail
Line 1 and Line 2. Stadium, International District/Chinatown and Pioneer Square stations are all close.
Sounder
Game trains run for most games to King Street Station, a football field from the stadium.
Stadium parking
North Lot and the garage are sold out to season pass holders. No single-game passes, and no tailgating.
Other garages
The team suggests Union Station Garage on 4th Ave S or the Mariners Garage by T-Mobile Park.
RV / bus
No RV parking at Lumen Field.
Drop-off
Passenger and accessible drop-off at S Charles St and Occidental Ave S, reached from 1st Ave S.
Rideshare
King St and Occidental on the north side, or Royal Brougham Way and Occidental on the south.
Getting to Lumen Field, simplified
Getting to Lumen Field, simplified

Metro's express gameday buses are gone, so check regular weekend routes before you go.
Trains and buses get crowded before and after games. Leave early.
Driving anyway? The team points drivers without a pass to private lots south of T-Mobile Park and around Pioneer Square. Those lots aren't run by the stadium.

The rules

Rules last verified Oct 14, 2026 against seahawks.com and lumenfield.com.

No lot tailgating means the rules that matter are about getting in.

Tailgating
Not permitted anywhere on Lumen Field property.
Nearby
The team points tailgaters to a lot at 8th and Holgate, about a 10-minute walk south.
Pregame
Ticketmaster Tailgate in the Event Center, 3 hours before kickoff, game ticket required.
Alcohol
A 21+ sports bar at Ticketmaster Tailgate. No outside drinks except factory-sealed water.
Outside food
Single-serving food in a clear plastic bag, or a pizza in its box.
Not allowed
Coolers, large backpacks, cans and glass, and smoking or vaping of any kind.
Payment
Cashless: cards and phone pay. Cash-to-card kiosks are on site.
Re-entry
Until kickoff. After kickoff, no re-entry.
Bags at the gate
Clear, up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, a 1-gallon freezer bag or a clear backpack with 2 pockets or fewer, plus a clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches.
Gates open
2 hours before kickoff for general ticket holders.
Compare the rules in all 173 guides →

Before you go

Seahawks transportation guideTicketmaster TailgateSeahawks gameday policiesProhibited items and clear bag policyLumen Field parking and transportation

Official pages. Rules change; check them the week of the game.

Pack for Seattle

What we'd bring.

Everything we carry for Seahawks fans →

Late-season games in Seattle can be cold and wet. Bring a rain shell; collapsible umbrellas are allowed inside.

Shipping and returns

Where the party is

Lumen Field is a downtown stadium, and it plays like one. With no lot tailgating, the pregame moves indoors to the Event Center and onto the walk from the train to the gates.

The official pregame

Ticketmaster Tailgate

Inside the Event Center at the south end, open 3 hours before kickoff: a 21+ sports bar, a kids zone, a gaming zone and value-priced concessions. Game ticket required.

The walk in

Pioneer Square

The team maps walking routes from Pioneer Square and King Street Station straight to the stadium.

The private lots

South of T-Mobile Park

Where the team sends drivers without a pass. Each operator sets its own rules.

Know a setup worth showing off? Nominate your tailgate.

What to eat

Ticketmaster Tailgate runs value-priced concessions before the gates open. You can carry single-serving food into the stadium in a clear plastic bag, or a pizza in its box, but no outside drinks.

Cook thisCedar-plank salmon

Getting out

Downtown means you can walk away from the traffic. Your options, best first:

  1. Ride Link. Stadium, International District/Chinatown and Pioneer Square stations are all close. Trains will be packed, so be patient.
  2. Catch Sounder. Game trains run for most games from King Street Station, a football field from the stadium.
  3. Rideshare from the official stops. King St and Occidental, or Royal Brougham Way and Occidental. Pick a meeting spot before kickoff.

  4. Skip this

    Shove onto the first train. Head back toward Pioneer Square and let the platforms clear. Downtown was built for this.

First time here?

  • Don't plan a lot tailgate. Tailgating isn't allowed on Lumen Field property.
  • Bring your game ticket to Ticketmaster Tailgate. It's scanned at the door.
  • Lumen Field is cashless. Cash-to-card kiosks are on site.
  • Clear bag, 1-gallon freezer bag or a clear backpack with 2 pockets or fewer, all within 12 x 6 x 12 inches.
  • Re-entry works until kickoff, not after.
  • Getting dropped off? Use S Charles St and Occidental, reached from 1st Ave S.

Visiting? How to join a tailgate

There's no lot to wander here, so start at Ticketmaster Tailgate, which is open to anyone with a game ticket. Wear your colors, buy a round and keep the trash talk friendly.

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