Editing Lumen Field (section)

== Soccer ==
[[File:OL Reign vs. Washington Spirit - October 6, 2023 - view from southeast.jpg|thumb|right|alt=The lower grandstand of a stadium filled with people during a game, while the upper stands are covered by decorative tarps. The stadium has distinctive trusses for support.|The stadium with its upper tier covered during an [[OL Reign]] match in 2023]]

Lumen Field is also designed for soccer.<ref name="Seattle PI Paul Allen" /> The stadium meets [[FIFA]] sight line requirements and provides separate locker rooms for soccer teams. Camera locations were chosen for optimal television coverage of the sport.<ref name="All Business 2002-12-09">{{cite news |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Seahawks+Stadium+Scores+World-Class+Soccer%3B+Manchester+United+Kicks...-a095094741 |title=Seahawks Stadium Scores World-Class Soccer; Manchester United Kicks Off U.S. Tour in Seattle |agency=Business Wire |publisher=TheFreeLibrary.com |access-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201214356/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Seahawks+Stadium+Scores+World-Class+Soccer%3B+Manchester+United+Kicks...-a095094741 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Numerous [[Exhibition game#Association football|exhibition games]] have taken place at Lumen Field, including high-profile clubs such as [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]], [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Club América]] and [[C.D. Guadalajara|Chivas de Guadalajara]]. These games have proved to be highly popular, and the first sell-out of 66,772 fans at the stadium was a soccer match between Manchester United and Celtic.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 23, 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3086949.stm |work=BBC News |title=Man Utd thump Celtic}}</ref>  National teams such as [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]], [[Venezuela national football team|Venezuela]], [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]], and [[China national football team|China]] have played exhibition games at the stadium. The artificial turf has been temporarily overlaid with grass for international matches.<ref name="Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2001-07-27" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Qwest Field goes Au Naturel |date=March 19, 2003 |url=http://www.seahawks.com/qwest-field/facts/natural-grass.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327205918/http://www.seahawks.com/qwest-field/facts/natural-grass.html |archive-date=March 27, 2009 |publisher=Seattle Seahawks |access-date=March 20, 2012}}</ref>

Seattle was the site of the [[2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup]] Group B opening round between the national teams of the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]], [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]], [[Canada men's national soccer team|Canada]], and [[Cuba national football team|Cuba]]. Two matches of the [[2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup]] opening round were also played at the stadium on July 4, 2009. In the second match, the United States comfortably defeated [[Grenada national football team|Grenada]], who were playing in their first major international competition, 4–0.<ref name="Washington Post 2009-07-04" /> The Gold Cup returned in 2013 with Panama beating Martinique and Mexico defeating Canada in opening group play matches.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |title=Much at stake for Mexico in Gold Cup match in Seattle |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/much-at-stake-for-mexico-in-gold-cup-match-in-seattle/ |access-date=July 22, 2013 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=July 10, 2013}}</ref> CenturyLink Field also hosted three matches during the 2016 [[Copa América Centenario]], a special inter-continental tournament, including two group stage fixtures and a quarterfinal match between the United States and [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]] attended by 47,322 spectators.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=June 15, 2016 |title=Soccer is different in Seattle. You'll see why in the Copa America quarterfinals |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/06/15/soccer-is-different-in-seattle-youll-see-why-in-the-copa-america-quarterfinals/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pentz |first=Matt |date=June 16, 2016 |title=Clint Dempsey guides U.S. to 2-1 victory over Ecuador, berth in Copa America semifinals |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/clint-dempsey-guides-us-to-2-1-victory-over-ecuador-berth-in-copa-america-semifinals/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 12, 2019}}</ref>

On November 22, 2009, Seattle was the site of the [[MLS Cup 2009|14th annual MLS Cup]] between [[Real Salt Lake]] and the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]], where Salt Lake won the Cup on penalty kicks (5–4) in front of 46,011.<ref name="ESPNsoccernet November 15, 2009">{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=698957&sec=mls&root=mls&cc=5901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118052429/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=698957&sec=mls&root=mls&cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 18, 2009 |title=Galaxy and RSL earn deserved spots in MLS Cup final |author=Steve Davis |publisher=ESPN |access-date=November 15, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Seattle Times November 22, 2009">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2010334062_mlscup23.html |title=Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=November 22, 2009 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126013541/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2010334062_mlscup23.html |archive-date=November 26, 2009}}</ref> The stadium was the eighth venue to host the event and had the fourth-largest attendance for an MLS Cup.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 23, 2009 |title=Galaxy's star power can't stop Salt Lake |url=https://www.registerguard.com/article/20091123/SPORTS/311239984 |work=[[The Register-Guard]] |location=Eugene, Oregon |agency=Associated Press |access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Seattle Times 2009-03-12">{{cite news |first=José Miguel |last=Romero |title=Seattle awarded 2009 MLS Cup |date=March 12, 2009 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2008841069_sounders12.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525082256/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2008841069_sounders12.html |archive-date=May 25, 2009}}</ref> The MLS Cup returned to Seattle in [[MLS Cup 2019|2019]], with the Sounders hosting [[Toronto FC]] as the team with the better regular season record. The Sounders won in front of 69,274 spectators, setting a new record for a sporting event at Lumen Field and recording the second-highest cup attendance in league history.<ref name="Goff">{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=November 10, 2019 |title=Seattle Sounders claim MLS Cup for 2nd time in 4 seasons by roaring past Toronto FC, 3-1 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/11/10/seattle-sounders-claim-mls-cup-second-time-four-seasons-by-roaring-past-toronto-fc-/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=October 10, 2019}}</ref> Seattle will host the Sounders' three group stage matches during the [[2025 FIFA Club World Cup]] and three additional games after the installation of a temporary grass surface.<ref>{{cite news |last=Booth |first=Tim |date=October 15, 2024 |title=FIFA president lauds Seattle as city lands more major soccer matches |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/world-cup/fifa-president-lauds-seattle-as-city-lands-more-major-soccer-matches/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=October 20, 2024}}</ref>

=== 2026 FIFA World Cup ===

Lumen Field is one of sixteen venues that will host the [[2026 FIFA World Cup]], to be played in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The stadium is scheduled to host four matches during the group stage and two matches in the knockout stage. It is one of two [[Pacific Northwest]] venues hosting the event, together with [[BC Place]] in [[Vancouver]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=February 4, 2024 |title=Here's how many World Cup matches Seattle will host and when the U.S. team is town |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/world-cup/heres-how-many-world-cup-matches-seattle-will-host-and-when-the-u-s-team-is-town/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=February 4, 2024}}</ref>

Seattle had two venues—Lumen Field and Husky Stadium—among 58 facilities considered in the [[United States 2022 FIFA World Cup bid|unsuccessful United States bid]] for the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].<ref name="Seattle Times 2009-04-23">{{cite news |first=José Miguel |last=Romero |title=Qwest Field and Husky Stadium confirm interest in World Cup |date=April 23, 2009 |url=http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/sounders/2009/04/23/qwest_field_and_husky_stadium.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423222425/http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/sounders/2009/04/23/qwest_field_and_husky_stadium.html |archive-date=April 23, 2009 }}</ref> When discussing Seattle as a candidate, [[Sunil Gulati]] of the U.S. Soccer Federation called Lumen Field (then Qwest Field) "a world-class facility".<ref name="Seattle Times 2009-04-10">{{cite news |first=José Miguel |last=Romero |title=Qwest Field could play host to a World Cup match |date=April 10, 2009 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2009015208_sounders10.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412113854/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2009015208_sounders10.html |archive-date=April 12, 2009}}</ref> Seattle finally hosted a World Cup qualifier on June 11, 2013; the qualifier, which was the city's second overall and the first since 1976, saw the United States defeat Panama 2–0 in front of a raucous crowd of 40,847.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brewer |first1=Jerry |title=U.S. World Cup qualifier shows Seattle in its best soccer light |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/us-world-cup-qualifier-shows-seattle-in-its-best-soccer-light/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 11, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schaerlaeckens |first=Leander |title=Seattle crowd lives up to top billing |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/usa/story/seattle-lives-up-to-top-billing-during-usa-world-cup-qualifying-win-vs-panama-061213 |access-date=July 22, 2013 |newspaper=Fox Sports |date=July 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706125653/http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/usa/story/seattle-lives-up-to-top-billing-during-usa-world-cup-qualifying-win-vs-panama-061213 |archive-date=July 6, 2013}}</ref> The combined [[United 2026 FIFA World Cup bid|Canada–Mexico–United States]] won the right to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 2018 vote by FIFA; Lumen Field was one of the 23 finalist venues named by the organizing committee.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=June 16, 2018 |title=2026 World Cup host cities: Ranking the contenders |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2018/06/16/2026-world-cup-host-cities-ranking-the-contenders/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 12, 2019}}</ref>

Lumen Field was subsequently announced in June 2022 as one of the 11 American venues, as well as one of five current MLS venues selected to host matches.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Cesar |date=June 16, 2022 |title=World Cup 2026 host cities revealed, with 11 venues in U.S., 3 in Mexico and 2 in Canada |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37629375/world-cup-2026-host-cities-revealed-11-venues-us-3-mexico-2-canada |work=ESPN |access-date=June 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Jayda |date=June 16, 2022 |title=Seattle selected as one of 11 U.S. cities to host 2026 men's World Cup |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/seattle-selected-as-one-of-10-us-cities-to-host-2026-mens-world-cup/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=June 16, 2022}}</ref> Under preliminary plans by the city government, it would cost up to $10.5 million to host the World Cup matches, including installation of a temporary grass surface, policing the venue and practice fields, and managing a fan festival at the [[Seattle Center]] or on the city's waterfront.<ref>{{cite news |last=Beekman |first=Daniel |date=October 22, 2018 |title=Hosting 2026 World Cup would cost Seattle millions, but almost all money would be recovered, city says |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/hosting-the-world-cup-in-2026-could-cost-seattle-as-little-as-82000-city-estimates/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 12, 2019}}</ref> During the event, the stadium will be temporarily renamed to "Seattle Stadium" in accordance with FIFA's policy on corporate sponsored names.<ref>{{cite web |title=The FIFA World Cup 2026™ stadiums |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/world-cup-2026-stadiums-fifa-soccer-football-mexico-usa-canada |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=March 16, 2023}}</ref>

=== Sounders (USL) ===
{{See also|Seattle Sounders (1994–2008)}}

The first sporting event at the stadium was a double-header on July 28, 2002, that included both the Sounders Select Women and the men's Seattle Sounders of the [[United Soccer Leagues|USL]] team. The women defeated the Vancouver Breakers 4–3, while the men beat the [[Vancouver Whitecaps (1986–2010)|Vancouver Whitecaps]] 4–1 in front of 25,515 people.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Sounders-christen-Seahawks-Stadium-before-25-515-1092351.php |title=Sounders christen Seahawks Stadium before 25,515 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=July 28, 2002 |access-date=December 27, 2011 |author=Steven Rouse, Joel}}</ref> The USL team began using the facility regularly as their home field in 2003. Although team management was concerned with the high rent and the underused [[seating capacity]], they were drawn by the sponsorship opportunities and location. The Sounders increased their average attendance from 2,583 at Seattle's [[Memorial Stadium (Seattle)|Memorial Stadium]] in 2002 to 3,452 at the new stadium in 2003.<ref name="Seattle Times 2003-09-23">{{cite news |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20030925/sounders25/whats-next-for-the-sounders |title=What's next for the Sounders? |last=Massey |first=Matt |date=September 23, 2003 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 5, 2009}}</ref> In [[United Soccer Leagues 2005|2005]], the Sounders beat the [[Richmond Kickers]] 2–1 in a penalty shootout for the USL championship in front of 8,011. Scott Jenkins scored the final goal and announced his retirement after the game.<ref name="Seattle Times 2005-10-02">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002534641_sounders02.html |title=Sounders win championship in extra lengthy finale |last=Masey |first=Matt |date=October 2, 2005 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 15, 2009}}</ref>

In 2008, the [[Major League Soccer|MLS]] expansion franchise [[Seattle Sounders FC|Sounders FC]] decided to develop the [[Starfire Sports Complex]] in nearby [[Tukwila, Washington|Tukwila]], and the USL team played most of the [[United Soccer Leagues 2008|season]] at that facility. At the time, team management thought that practicing and playing at Starfire could provide a better transition for those hoping to play for the new MLS team.<ref name="Seattle Times 2008-05-10">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2004404693_sounders10.html |title=USL Sounders to make Starfire their home base |last=Massey |first=Matt |date=May 10, 2008 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618031240/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2004404693_sounders10.html |archive-date=June 18, 2008}}</ref> The last match for the USL Sounders at Qwest Field was the 2008 season opener against the rival Portland Timbers. The game ended in a scoreless draw in front of 10,184.<ref name="Seattle Times 2008-05-11">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2004406059_sounders11.html |title=Sounders come up empty, "just a little off" in shooting |last=Massey |first=Matt |date=May 11, 2008 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616172058/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2004406059_sounders11.html |archive-date=June 16, 2008}}</ref>

=== Sounders FC ===
{{See also|Seattle Sounders FC}}
[[File:Seattle Sounders FC First Game ECS Overhead.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|alt=A stand of a stadium with fans holding a large banner depicting the Space Needle. Green and blue flags wave throughout the stand and the flags of different nations are held by people on the field. | The south end of the stadium before the Sounders FC inaugural match]]

The potential to draw an MLS expansion team helped drive public support for building the stadium in 1997.<ref name="2000mls">{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Sherwin |title=MLS team in Seattle no sure bet |date=May 10, 2000 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20000510/4020160/mls-team-in-seattle-no-sure-bet |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> In 1996, Seattle was considered for one of the 10 original MLS teams; however, the region lacked an adequate outdoor stadium.<ref>{{cite news |first=Elliott |last=Almond |title=Want A Stadium For Football? Try A Little Soccer |date=May 11, 1996 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19960511/2328650/want-a-stadium-for-football-try-a-little-soccer |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> In 2007, it was announced that Seattle would be the home of an expansion team. The first Sounders FC regular season match was at the stadium on March 19, 2009. [[Fredy Montero]] scored the first goal in a 3–0 Seattle victory.<ref name="ESPN 2009-05-20">{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=260857&cc=5901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323083751/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=260857&cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 23, 2009 |title=Sounders triumphant in MLS debut, blank Red Bulls |date=May 20, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 20, 2009}}</ref>

Before the opening of their first [[2009 Seattle Sounders FC season|season]], the Sounders already had the highest number of season ticket holders in the MLS after they sold all 22,000 of the offered season ticket packages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/03/02/sounders-fc-sells-out-home-opener |title=Sounders FC Sells Out Home Opener |author=Sounders FC Public Relations |date=March 2, 2009 |publisher=SoundersFC.com |access-date=March 3, 2009}}</ref> The team created a web site that was used to identify seating arrangements for season ticket holders based on personal interests including preferred method for watching a game and foreign team preference.<ref name="Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2008-05-01">{{cite news |first=Mathew |last=Gaschk |title=Sounders FC expected to sign star |date=May 1, 2008 |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/soccer/361303_sounders01.html |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=April 30, 2009}}</ref> For the first half of the inaugural season, the upper and lower sections were [[Tarpaulin|tarped]] off, limiting the [[seating capacity]] to 27,700.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-awards-seattle-expanison-team-2009 |title=MLS awards Seattle expansion team for 2009 |date=November 17, 2007 |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-date=April 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426235335/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-awards-seattle-expanison-team-2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The club hoped to create an intimate environment as well as a supply-and-demand factor that would reward season ticket holders and encourage early purchase of seats.<ref>{{cite news |last=Greg |first=Johns |title=Sounders likely to open up more seating at Qwest |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/archives/168308.asp |access-date=September 22, 2010 |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=May 8, 2009}}</ref> The stadium has continuously sold out league matches in the limited seating configuration. However, majority owner [[Joe Roth]] has said that he "won't be happy"<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/soundersfc/2012/09/26/majority_owner_joe_roth_on_att/ |title=Majority owner Joe Roth on attendance, an expiring jersey deal with Xbox, the NBA/NHL in Seattle, and more |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 26, 2012 |author=Mayers, Joshua |access-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112011349/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/soundersfc/2012/09/26/majority_owner_joe_roth_on_att/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> until the entire venue is open.

The stadium was designed to easily open seating sections in stages if needed. After repeated sellout crowds, additional sections were opened, increasing total capacity to 32,400.<ref name="SI">{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/05/14/seattle-sounders/index.html |title=Sounders increase capacity at Qwest Field |publisher=SportsIllustrated.com |access-date=May 15, 2009 |date=May 14, 2009 |archive-date=May 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518004330/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/05/14/seattle-sounders/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the Sounders' first year they set an MLS record with an average home attendance of 30,943 people.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Winner |title=Home crowd gives Sounders FC big boost |date=October 25, 2009 |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/home-crowd-gives-sounders-fc-big-boost |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201013114/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/home-crowd-gives-sounders-fc-big-boost |url-status=dead }}</ref> Official capacity was increased to 35,700 after the 2009 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2010875575_sounders24.html |title=Success in the second season won't be easy for Sounders FC |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=January 23, 2010 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127184940/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2010875575_sounders24.html |archive-date=January 27, 2010}}</ref> In 2011, The Sounders continued to hold the highest average attendance in the league with 38,496.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/top-mls-stories-in-2011/ |title=Top MLS stories in 2011 |work=FOX News |date=December 30, 2011 |access-date=January 2, 2012}}</ref> Official capacity was increased again to 38,500 with the opening of the Hawk's Nest for the 2012 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2016783022_hawks_nest_will_be_open_in_12.html |title=Hawks Nest will be open in '12, season tickets on sale Thurs |work=The Seattle Times |date=November 16, 2011 |access-date=January 2, 2012 |author=Mayers, Joshua}}</ref> The team averaged 44,247 spectators in the [[2015 Major League Soccer season|2015 MLS season]], its all-time record.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 26, 2015 |title=MLS sets new attendance records, Seattle hold highest average in league |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/10/26/mls-sets-new-attendance-records-seattle-hold-highest-average-league |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=September 17, 2017 |title=Professional soccer attendance records fall in Atlanta and Cincinnati |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/09/17/professional-soccer-attendance-records-fall-in-atlanta-and-cincinnati/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> {{As of|2019}}, the regular season MLS capacity at Lumen Field is listed as 37,722 seats, with four matches scheduled to use larger sections of the stadium.<ref>{{cite web |title=CenturyLink Field |url=https://www.soundersfc.com/team/facilities |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Seattle Sounders FC vs. Minnesota United FC - June 15, 2024 - tifo display.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|alt=The field and surrounding seats with pre-game pageantry on the field. | A regular season match for the Sounders in 2024, seen prior to kick-off]]

The Sounders set the state's single game soccer attendance record when they hosted Manchester United in front of 67,052 in July 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2015676820_sounders21.html |title=Manchester United schools Sounders FC 7–0 before record crowd |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=July 20, 2011 |newspaper=Seattle Times |access-date=July 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723110004/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2015676820_sounders21.html |archive-date=July 23, 2011}}</ref> On October 15, 2011, additional seats were available for a record crowd of 64,140 during the final regular season home match, a Sounders 2–1 win followed by ceremonies honoring retiring goalkeeper [[Kasey Keller]].<ref name="Seattle Times 10-16-2011">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2016516460_keller16.html |title=Kasey Keller's retirement party draws crowd of 64,140 |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=October 15, 2011 |newspaper=Seattle Times |access-date=March 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227035749/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2016516460_keller16.html |archive-date=February 27, 2012}}</ref> And on October 7, 2012, another attendance record was broken when 66,452 fans were present for a 3–0 win over the [[Portland Timbers]], following a ceremony awarding retired Forward [[Roger Levesque]] a [[List of Golden Scarf recipients|Golden Scarf]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1184460/seattle-sounders-pound-portland-timbers-in-front-of-66,000-fans?cc=5901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011034048/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1184460/seattle-sounders-pound-portland-timbers-in-front-of-66,000-fans?cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |title=Eddie Johnson, Sounders pound Timbers |work=ESPN.com |date=October 7, 2012 |access-date=October 15, 2012}}</ref> The Sounders set an attendance record for sporting events at the stadium of 69,274 when Seattle hosted the 2019 MLS Cup Final against Toronto FC, winning 3-1 for their 2nd MLS Cup trophy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2019-mls-cup-breaks-seattle-sounders-all-time-attendance-record |title=2019 MLS Cup breaks Seattle Sounders all-time attendance record}}</ref>

CenturyLink Field has hosted two [[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]] tournament finals. On October 5, 2010, the tournament's 81-year-old attendance record was broken when Sounders FC defeated the [[Columbus Crew]] 2–1 in front of 31,311.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seattle Sounders FC Earn Second Consecutive Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Title in Front of Record-Setting Crowd at Qwest Field |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Lamar-Hunt-U-S-Open-Cup/2010/10/Seattle-Sounders-FC-Repeats-as-Lamar-Hunt-US-Open-Cup-Champions-with-21-Win-against-Columbus-Crew.aspx |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |date=October 5, 2010 |access-date=October 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009132755/http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Lamar-Hunt-U-S-Open-Cup/2010/10/Seattle-Sounders-FC-Repeats-as-Lamar-Hunt-US-Open-Cup-Champions-with-21-Win-against-Columbus-Crew.aspx |archive-date=October 9, 2010}}</ref> That record was broken one year later when CenturyLink Field again hosted the final on October 4, 2011, as 36,615 spectators watched Seattle defeat the [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]] 2–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/sports/chicagofire/apx-mls-soccer-chicago-fire-seattle-sounders-lamar-hunt-us-open-cup-final |title=Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup-Record crowd |publisher=FOX Chicago News |date=October 5, 2011 |access-date=March 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021013151/http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/sports/chicagofire/apx-mls-soccer-chicago-fire-seattle-sounders-lamar-hunt-us-open-cup-final |archive-date=October 21, 2011}}</ref> The stadium has also hosted a [[CONCACAF Champions League]] tournament final; on May 4, 2022, the Sounders defeated [[Pumas UNAM]] 3–0 in the second leg of [[2022 CONCACAF Champions League Final|the final]] before a tournament-record crowd of 68,741 to win 5–2 on aggregate, becoming the first MLS team to win the tournament under its current format.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Jayda |title=One for the history books: Sounders clinch MLS' first CCL title in front of record crowd in Seattle |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/one-for-the-history-books-sounders-clinch-mls-first-ccl-title-in-front-of-record-crowd-in-seattle/ |access-date=May 4, 2022 |work=The Seattle Times |date=May 4, 2022}}</ref>

Like the Seahawks, the Sounders have received attention for sellout crowds and boisterous [[Seattle Sounders FC supporters|fans]].<ref name="Sports Illustrated 2009-04-27">{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jonah_freedman/04/27/seattle-keller/?eref=sircrc |title=Seattle keeper Kasey Keller chats about coming home, future of MLS |last=Freedman |first=Jonah |date=April 27, 2009 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=November 5, 2009 |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024194549/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jonah_freedman/04/27/seattle-keller/?eref=sircrc |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''The Seattle Times'' reported that a "new standard for attendance and game-day atmosphere has been set"<ref name="Seattle Times 2009-04-04">{{cite news |first=José Miguel |last=Romero |title=Sounders, Toronto crowds cheer for supremacy |date=April 4, 2009 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2008982157_sounders041.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508141237/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2008982157_sounders041.html |archive-date=May 8, 2009}}</ref> due to the loud sellout crowds. The passionate [[Emerald City Supporters]] have dubbed the general admission sections behind the south goal the "Brougham End" for the street that runs along the south edge of the complex.<ref name="Seattle Times ECS">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2009496314_soundersnotes19.html?FORM=ZZNR |title=Fans came out in full force on Saturday |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=July 19, 2009 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604113213/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2009496314_soundersnotes19.html?FORM=ZZNR |archive-date=June 4, 2011}}</ref>

=== Seattle Reign FC ===
{{See also|Seattle Reign FC#Stadium}}

[[OL Reign]] played against [[Portland Thorns FC]] at the stadium on August 29, 2021, as part of a doubleheader with the Sounders and Timbers. The Reign defeated the Thorns 2–1 in front of 27,248, breaking the then [[NWSL]]'s attendance record.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Jayda |title=Megan Rapinoe scores a brace to lead OL Reign past Portland before an NWSL-record crowd |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/reign/megan-rapinoe-scores-a-brace-to-lead-ol-reign-past-portland-before-an-nwsl-record-crowd/ |access-date=December 15, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 29, 2021}}</ref> The Reign later announced on December 15 that they would move into the stadium for the 2022 season, leaving their previous home, [[Cheney Stadium]] in Tacoma, as plans to build a [[soccer-specific stadium]] in the city stalled amid the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=December 15, 2021 |title=OL Reign to play 2022 home games in Seattle at Lumen Field |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/reign/ol-reign-to-play-2022-home-games-in-seattle-at-lumen-field/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 15, 2021}}</ref> The stadium's capacity is reduced to 10,000 seats for most OL Reign home matches.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=March 17, 2022 |title=With move to Lumen Field, OL Reign get set to embark on a new era in Seattle |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/reign/with-return-to-lumen-field-ol-reign-gets-set-to-embark-on-a-new-era-in-seattle/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=March 26, 2022}}</ref> A new NWSL attendance record of 34,130 was set on October 6, 2023, by the Reign for [[Megan Rapinoe]]'s final home match.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Anne M. |date=October 6, 2023 |title=Retiring U.S. soccer star Rapinoe honoured by OL Reign in front of record NWSL crowd |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/megan-rapinoe-honoured-record-nwsl-crowd-1.6990179 |publisher=[[CBC Sports]] |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=November 17, 2023}}</ref>