Editing Lumen Field (section)

== Football ==

=== Seahawks ===
{{See also|Seattle Seahawks}}
[[File:CenturyLink Field panorama 2016.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|alt=A stadium filled with spectators with two football teams on the field between a play. | A regular season game for the Seahawks in 2016]]

Prior to the stadium opening in 2002, Allen and [[Bob Whitsitt]] said that they hoped the new stadium would help turn the Seahawks into a [[Super Bowl]] contender and that Seattle would be considered to host the championship game.<ref name="Seattle PI Paul Allen" /> The seating is expandable to 72,000 for the purpose of holding the game, but the NFL typically does not consider cities with outdoor stadiums where the average temperature in February is below {{convert|50|°F|0}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Neil |first=Danny |title=Chill on those Super Bowl-to-Seattle questions |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawksblog/2011952041_chillonthosesuperbowltoseattlequestions.html |access-date=May 25, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=May 25, 2010}}</ref> The number of [[season ticket]]s available at Qwest was capped at 61,000 following the Super Bowl appearance. The ensuing waiting list was the first for the Seahawks since the early 1990s.<ref name="Seattle Times 2010-07-20">{{cite news |last=O'Niel |first=Danny |title=No waiting for Seahawks' season tickets |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2012406109_hawk21.html |access-date=August 5, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=July 20, 2010}}</ref>

The team's first season at their new home was in [[2002 Seattle Seahawks season|2002]].{{efn|2002 also marked the Seahawks' first season in the [[National Football Conference]] (NFC) since their inaugural season in [[1976 Seattle Seahawks season|1976]]; they were members of the [[American Football Conference]] (AFC) between [[1977 Seattle Seahawks season|1977]] and [[2001 Seattle Seahawks season|2001]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dugar |first1=Michael-Shawn |title=What Seahawks lost, gained in AFC-to-NFC move in NFL realignment 20 years ago |url=https://theathletic.com/3636746/2022/09/29/seahawks-nfc-afc-rivalry-history/ |access-date=April 9, 2023 |work=[[The Athletic]] |date=September 29, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>}} Their first game at the new facility was a 28–10 preseason loss to the [[Indianapolis Colts]] on August 11, 2002.<ref name="First Seahawks Game">{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/recaps/2002/08/10/seahawks_colts/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121031857/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/recaps/2002/08/10/seahawks_colts/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |title=2002 NFL Preview – Recap:Indianapolis Colts 28, Seattle Seahawks 10 |publisher=CNN/Sports Illustrated |access-date=April 4, 2004}}</ref> Their first regular-season game was held on September 15, 2002; the Sehawks lost by a score of 24–13 to the [[Arizona Cardinals]], the same franchise that defeated them in the first regular-season game at the [[Kingdome]] in 1976. The Seahawks went on to end their first season at the new field with a 7–9 record, winning only three home games. In the [[2003 Seattle Seahawks season|2003 season]], the team went undefeated at home and reached the playoffs. It was the first time the franchise had won 10 games in a single season in 17&nbsp;years.<ref name="San Francisco Chronicle 2003-12-28">{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2003/12/28/SPGRA3VGE81.DTL |title=Playoffs or not, Holmgren should stay as coach |last=Miller |first=Ira |date=December 12, 2003 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> The Seahawks again reached the postseason during the [[2004 Seattle Seahawks season|2004 season]] and played their first playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2005. In that game, they lost to the [[St. Louis Rams]] who had already defeated them twice that season.<ref name="Seattle Times 2005-01-08">{{cite news |title=Seahawks disappointed a third time as Rams continue dominance |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=January 18, 2001 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The following [[2005 Seattle Seahawks season|season]], the Seahawks went undefeated at home for the second time in three years and won their first-ever [[NFC Championship]],<ref name="Seattle Times 2005-12-25">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2002703274_hawk25.html |title=Ho-ho-home field: Beating Colts assures best NFC record |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=December 12, 2005 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> but lost in [[Super Bowl XL]]. Between 2002 and 2005, the Seahawks won 24 of their 32 regular season games at the stadium.<ref name="Washington Post 2006-01-10">{{cite news |first=Scott M. |last=Johnson |title=The Sound Has Effects in Seattle |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 10, 2006 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/09/AR2006010901651.html |access-date=January 8, 2008}}</ref>

In [[2006 Seattle Seahawks season|2006]], the Seahawks had a 9–7 record and hosted the [[Dallas Cowboys]] in the [[Wild card (sports)|wild card round]] of the playoffs.<ref name="USA Today 2007-01-07">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/seahawks/2007-01-07-jordan-babineaux_x.htm?POE=SPOISVA |title=Seahawks saved by Babineaux's corner-turning play |last=Corbett |first=Jim |date=January 7, 2007 |work=USA Today |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> The Seahawks trailed 20–13 with less than 7 minutes remaining but came back to win 21–20.<ref name="Seattle Times January 6, 2007 ">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003512878_webhawk06.html |title=Hawks win a wild, wild wild-card game |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=January 6, 2007 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 18, 2009}}</ref> In [[2007 Seattle Seahawks season|2007]], the team won seven of their eight home games and clinched their fourth consecutive [[NFC West|division]] title.<ref name="Seattle Post-Intelligencer January 1, 2008">{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/football/345629_hawk01.html |title=Seahawks counting on Qwest mystique to stop Redskins |last=Farnsworth |first=Clare |date=January 1, 2008 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=November 18, 2009}}</ref> Qwest Field was again the site for their wild card game, and they defeated the [[Washington Redskins]] 35–14.<ref name="ESPN Washington '07">{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=280105026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109084749/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=280105026 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 9, 2008 |title=Redskins give valiant effort, but Seahawks advance to face Packers |publisher=ESPN |access-date=November 18, 2009}}</ref> In [[2008 Seattle Seahawks season|2008]], the Seahawks went 4–12 and had only two home wins. Holmgren left the organization after the season.<ref name="Kitsap Sun December 30, 2008">{{cite news |url=http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/dec/30/the-big-boss-says-goodbye/ |title=The Big Boss Holmgren Says Goodbye |last=Froschauer |first=John |date=December 30, 2008 |work=Kitsap Sun |access-date=November 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231195445/http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/dec/30/the-big-boss-says-goodbye/ |archive-date=December 31, 2008}}</ref> When he was interviewed about memorable moments and the fans, he said that Qwest Field was "a remarkable place to compete in and to play professional football".<ref name="Seattle Times Holmgren">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2008543729_hawkgameday21.html |title=Seahawks vs. Jets Preview |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=December 21, 2008 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 26, 2009}}</ref> He called a game at the stadium "an experience".<ref name="Seattle Times Holmgren" />

In [[2010 Seattle Seahawks season|2010]], the Seahawks were the first NFL team with a losing record ever to win a division title in a season not shortened by a strike.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Neil |first=Danny |title=Seahawks upset Saints, 41–36 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2013885514_hawk09.html |access-date=January 28, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=January 8, 2011}}</ref>  Seattle earned its fifth consecutive home playoff victory with a 41–36 win over the [[New Orleans Saints]]. "God bless the voters," defensive tackle [[Craig Terrill]] said after the game in reference to the stadium's importance to the franchise.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kelley |first=Steve |title=It's been a great two weeks for Seattle sports fans |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/stevekelley/2013893216_kelley10.html |access-date=January 28, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=January 8, 2010 |page=C-6}}</ref>

Under [[Pete Carroll]], the Seahawks were undefeated at home during the [[2012 Seattle Seahawks season|2012 season]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nwcn.com/home/185238922.html |title=Wilson leads Seahawks past Rams 20-13 |work=Northwest Cable News |date=December 30, 2012 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=January 13, 2013 |author=Booth, Tim |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103042854/http://www.nwcn.com/home/185238922.html |archive-date=January 3, 2013}}</ref> Season tickets for 2013 sold-out with a franchise-record 98% renewal rate.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eatpm |first=Nick |title=Seahawks see franchise-record renewal rate as 2013 season tickets sell out |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/2013/06/20/seahawks-see-franchise-record-renewal-rate-as-2013-season-tickets-sell-out/ |access-date=July 21, 2013 |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=June 20, 2013 |archive-date=June 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627195416/http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/2013/06/20/seahawks-see-franchise-record-renewal-rate-as-2013-season-tickets-sell-out/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Through the [[2018 Seattle Seahawks season|2018 season]], the Seahawks compiled a regular season record of 95–41 at the stadium.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Furman |first1=T. J. |title=The Eagles host the Seahawks Sunday, but home-field advantage is the worst it's been since 1972 |url=https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/philadelphia-eagles-seattle-seahawks-nfl-playoffs-home-field-advantage-worst-since-1972-20200103.html |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=January 3, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

Lumen Field often sells out for Seahawks games; although the team struggled to sell out games (with two resulting [[blackout (broadcasting)|blackout]]s){{efn|Under [[National Football League television blackout policies|then-current NFL policy]], a game that failed to sell out 72 hours prior to its start time would result in its [[blackout (broadcasting)|blackout]] in the home team's television market. This policy was effectively suspended in 2015.<ref name="Times - NFL blackout scrap">{{cite news |last=Condotta |first=Bob |title=NFL scraps blackout policy for 2015 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/nfl-scraps-blackout-policy-for-2015/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 23, 2015}}</ref>}} in its inaugural season at the stadium, it has sold out every game after the 2003 home opener,<ref name="Times - NFL blackout scrap" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=Daniel |title=Leiweke: Wins will chase away TV blackouts |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2003/09/15/This-Weeks-Issue/Leiweke-Wins-Will-Chase-Away-TV-Blackouts.aspx |access-date=April 16, 2023 |work=Sports Business Journal |date=September 15, 2003 |language=en}}</ref> with 146 consecutive games sold out through the 2019 season.<ref name="TNT - COVID-19">{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Gregg |date=August 19, 2020 |title=Seahawks make it official: no fans for at least the first 3 home games because of COVID-19 |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article245094410.html |work=[[The News Tribune]] |access-date=September 1, 2020}}</ref>{{efn|All Seahawks home games during the [[2020 Seattle Seahawks season|2020 season]] were played [[behind closed doors (sport)|without spectators]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Seattle]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Seahawks to allow full crowds at Lumen Field next season |url=https://apnews.com/article/seattle-seahawks-health-coronavirus-pandemic-nfl-sports-60b1d1498ceea67f4441f15aff848be5 |access-date=April 19, 2023 |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=June 22, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>}} Despite dismal on-field performances in 2008 and [[2009 Seattle Seahawks season|2009]], the team maintained its base of season ticket holders;<ref name="Seattle Times July 30, 2009">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2009564266_hawktix30.html?FORM=ZZNR2 |title=Seahawks single-game tickets go on sale Monday morning |last=O'Neil |first=Danny |date=July 30, 2009 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 24, 2009}}</ref> Before the 2008 season, the 14,000 single game tickets not already allotted sold out less than 15 minutes after they became available.<ref name="Seattle Times 2008-08-05">{{cite news |first=Susan |last=Kelleher |title=Hawks tickets gone in a flash |date=August 5, 2008 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2008091951_tickets05.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 1, 2009}}</ref> After going 9–23 over two seasons in 2008 and 2009, the number of available season tickets was increased to 62,000.<ref name="Seattle Times 2010-07-20" /> The largest crowd to attend a Seahawks game at Lumen Field was 69,190, against the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] on November 20, 2016.<ref name="TNT - COVID-19" />

==== Home field advantage ====
Lumen Field has earned a reputation as one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. It was, at one point in time, in the Guinness World Record books for being the loudest stadium in the world.<ref name="NY Times 2006-09-24" /><ref name="Fox Sports">{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2013 |title=Seattle Seahawks fans set stadium noise record Sunday |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/seattle-seahawks-fans-set-stadium-noise-record-sunday/ |access-date=September 16, 2013 |website=FOX Sports|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="Chicago Tribune, 2009-28-09">{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-28-bears-seahawks-sep28,0,1967559.story |title=Chicago Bears beat Seattle Seahawks 25–19 |last=Pompei |first=Dan |date=September 28, 2009 |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=September 28, 2009}}</ref> The seating decks and partial roof, both trap and amplify exceptional amounts of noise and reflect it back onto the field.<ref name="KOMO 2008-01-04">{{cite news |url=http://www.komonews.com/sports/13058992.html |title=Redskins on Qwest Field: 'That stadium was loud' |agency=Associated Press |publisher=KOMO News |access-date=April 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801144457/http://www.komonews.com/sports/13058992.html |archive-date=August 1, 2009}}</ref> This noise possibly contributes to increased [[false start]] penalties since opposing offenses can miss [[Audible (American football)|audibles]] and the [[snap count]], as well as [[delay of game]] penalties due to the reduced efficiency of communicating plays to the offense.<ref name="Washington Post 2006-01-10" /><ref name="ESPN 2006-01-21">{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=2299446&type=story |title=Crowd noise makes venues tough for road teams |last=Clayton |first=John |date=January 21, 2006 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> From 2002 through 2012, there have been 143 false-start penalties on visiting teams in Seattle, second only to the Minnesota Vikings.<ref name="ESPN 2012-10-10">{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4731877/three-point-stance-seattle-seahawks |title=Three-point stance: Seattle Seahawks |last=Parolin |first=John |date=October 10, 2012 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=November 9, 2012}}</ref> During that same time period, the Seahawks have accumulated a home win record of 59–29, with a simultaneous road record of 33–55.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Important is the Seahawks' Home Field Advantage? |url=http://thesportspost.com/blogs/view/how-important-is-the-seahawks-home-field-advantage |work=thesportspost.com |publisher=The Sports Post |access-date=September 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905213854/http://thesportspost.com/blogs/view/how-important-is-the-seahawks-home-field-advantage |archive-date=September 5, 2014 }}</ref>

[[File:12th man qwest field.JPG|thumb|upright=1.15|alt=A blue flag with a white number 12 flies against a clear sky. An expansive white roof truss is behind the flagpole.| The 12th Man flag and a portion of the roof's support truss]]

When [[Tod Leiweke]] was hired as the Seahawks' new CEO in 2003, he had a large flagpole installed in the south end to fly the 12th Man Flag as a tribute to the team's fans, collectively known as the [[12th man (football)|12th man]].<ref name="Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2006-01-13">{{cite news |first=John |last=Levesque |title=Leiweke's handiwork best seen in Seahawks aura |date=January 13, 2006 |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/football/255504_leve13.html |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=April 18, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Farnsworth |first1=Clare |title=On This Date: 12th Man flag raised for first time |url=http://blog.seahawks.com/2012/10/12/on-this-date-12th-man-flag-raised-for-first-time/ |publisher=Seahawks.com |access-date=February 8, 2016 |date=October 12, 2012}}</ref>{{efn|As of 2014, the Seahawks refer to their fans as the "12s" due to licensing restrictions from [[Texas A&M University]], which holds the rights to the "12th Man" trademark.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Seahawks' ubiquitous 12s |url=https://archive.kitsapsun.com/news/local/the-seahawks-ubiquitous-12s-ep-298472156-355720801.html/ |access-date=April 18, 2022 |work=Kitsap Sun |date=February 1, 2014 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rovell |first1=Darren |title=Seahawks reach 5-year licensing deal with Texas A&M |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17274864/texas-aggies-lends-12th-man-trademark-seattle-seahawks-5-year-deal |access-date=April 18, 2022 |work=ESPN |date=August 11, 2016 |language=en}}</ref>}} The team had retired the number 12 in 1984 to honor its fans, who had gained notoriety for intensifying the Kingdome's noisy acoustics such that the NFL enacted a rule in 1989 penalizing home teams for disruptive crowd noise when visiting teams are on offense; the rule itself is rarely enforced due to the futility of controlling such noise leaguewide.<ref name="NY Times 2006-09-24" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Belson |first1=Ken |title=Seahawks Fans Act as Extra Player, Tormenting Opponents and Eardrums |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/20/sports/football/when-fans-turn-up-volume-seahawks-play-with-a-man-advantage.html |access-date=May 20, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=January 19, 2014}}</ref> A local celebrity, sometimes a former Seahawk, raises the flag during the network television pre-game events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seahawks.com/spirit-of-12/history-of-the-12s |title=The 12s |website=Seahawks.com|date=August 24, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203012510/http://www.seahawks.com/spirit-of-12/history-of-the-12s |archive-date=December 3, 2016}}</ref>

In 2005, the stadium gained national attention when the visiting [[New York Giants]] committed 11 false start penalties.<ref name="ESPN 2006-01-21" /><ref name="ESPN Recap 2005 Giants">{{cite news |url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=251127026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226121926/http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=251127026 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 26, 2011 |title=Three missed FGs doom Giants in OT loss to Seahawks |publisher=ESPN |access-date=November 18, 2009}}</ref> Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren attributed the penalties to the enthusiasm and noise from the crowd. He dedicated the ball used to make the game-winning [[field goal]] to the fans, and it is now displayed at the stadium.<ref name="Seattle Times 2005-11-29">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002652430_hawk29.html |title=Hawk Notes: "12th man" key to latest victory over Giants |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=November 29, 2005 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> The Giants' general manager, [[Ernie Accorsi]], asked an NFL senior vice president whether the Seahawks had broadcast [[artificial crowd noise]] over the [[public address system]] during this game.<ref name="Daily News September 26, 2006">{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/a-giant-mistake-loud-clear-article-1.610270 |title=A Giant Mistake, Loud & Clear |last=Raissman |first=Bob |date=September 26, 2006 |work=Daily News |access-date=March 20, 2012 |location=New York}}</ref> The NFL sent a memorandum early in the 2006 season about such complaints and sent officials to monitor two games.<ref name="KOMO 2008-01-04" /> Holmgren denied the allegations, and the crowd responded by being even louder than usual when the Giants returned to Qwest Field.<ref name="Daily News September 26, 2006" /><ref name="Seattle Post-Intelligencer September 21, 2006">{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/football/285932_noise21.html |title=Seahawks: The sound by the sound |last=Farnsworth |first=Clare |date=September 21, 2006 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=November 18, 2009}}</ref> Since 2005 the Seahawks have tracked the number of false starts committed by visiting teams and display the statistic on a scoreboard to motivate the crowd. As of 2013, the stadium has had a league-high number of false starts since.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langland |first=Tyson |title=Seattle's 12th Man Helped the Seahawks Set a New Record and More NFC West News |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1521602-seattles-12th-man-helped-the-seahawks-set-a-new-record-and-more-nfc-west-news |work=Bleacher Report |date=February 8, 2013 |access-date=January 21, 2016}}</ref><ref name="ESPN 2006-05-08">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2437992 |title=Seahawks, A&M resolve '12th man' dispute |date=May 8, 2006 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=November 3, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Colsto |title=Hasselbeck, Seahawks light up Giants 42–30 |work=USA Today |date=September 24, 2006 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/games/2006-09-24-seahawks-giants_x.htm?POE=SPOISVA |access-date=January 7, 2008}}</ref> In preparation for the [[2005–06 NFL playoffs|2005 NFC Championship Game]] at Qwest Field, the [[Carolina Panthers]] practiced with the recorded sounds of jet engines in the background to prepare for the volume of the crowd.<ref name="New York Times 2006-01-22">{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E2DE133FF931A15752C0A9609C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1 |title=Pro Football; Hold the Coffee: The Seahawks and Their Fans Have a Thirst for the Bubbly |last=Brown |first=Clifton |date=January 22, 2006 |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref>

[[Placekicker|Kickers]] experience further disadvantages when attempting field goals at Lumen Field. Both the stadium's proximity to Puget Sound and the open north end create winds that are challenging to gauge.<ref name="ESPN 2006-01-21" /> Former Seahawks kicker [[Josh Brown (American football)|Josh Brown]] adjusted to the winds, and he believed the moisture in the air caused trouble for others.<ref name="Seattle Post-Intelligencer Kicking">{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/football/286208_hawk23.html |title=Giants kicker back at scene of meltdown |last=Farnsworth |first=Clare |date=September 23, 2006 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=November 19, 2009}}</ref>

On September 15, 2013, Seattle Seahawks fans successfully broke the [[Guinness World Records]] for the loudest stadium in the world. The 131.9-decibel record occurred during the sack of [[San Francisco 49ers]] quarterback [[Colin Kaepernick]] in the first quarter.<ref name="Fox Sports" />  Fans then broke their new record during the third quarter of the same game when a level of 136.6 decibels was achieved during a goal line stand by the Seahawks defense.<ref>[http://seattletimes.com/html/seahawks/2021833455_seahawksscene16xml.html 136.6 decibels! Hawks fans break Guinness mark for loudest stadium] ''The Seattle Times''</ref> The record was broken by the crowd at [[Arrowhead Stadium]] on October 13, 2013, with a sound pressure level of 137.57 decibels.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kansas City Chiefs fans set loudest stadium record at Arrowhead |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/kansas-city-chiefs-fans-set-loudest-stadium-record-at-arrowhead-0ap2000000261582 |work=NFL.com |publisher=National Football League |access-date=October 13, 2013}}</ref> The record was later regained by the Seahawks fans on December 2, 2013, with 137.6 decibels against the [[New Orleans Saints]], but lost once again to Arrowhead Stadium in a Monday Night Football game between the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] and [[New England Patriots]] on September 29, 2014, setting the record that still stands at 142.2 decibels.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thorman |first=Joel |title=Kansas City Chiefs break Guinness World record against Patriots with 142.2 decibels |url=http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2014/9/29/6870283/kansas-city-chiefs-guinness-world-record-crowd-noise-decibels-patriots-mnf |work=SB Nation |date=September 29, 2014 |access-date=January 21, 2016}}</ref>

=== XFL ===
The [[Seattle Dragons]] of the [[XFL (2020)|XFL]] played their only two home games at CenturyLink Field during the short-lived league's 2020 season. The team was among seven in the XFL to share its stadium with NFL teams and drew a league-record 29,172 fans at the home opener on February 15, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Benjamin |first1=Cody |title=Pete Carroll thinks Seattle should embrace XFL team that will share the Seahawks' stadium |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pete-carroll-thinks-seattle-should-embrace-xfl-team-that-will-share-the-seahawks-stadium/ |access-date=May 10, 2020 |work=CBS Sports |date=December 7, 2018}}</ref><ref name="PI-XFL">{{cite news |last1=Arthur |first1=Ben |title=Seattle Dragons president thanks locals for 'incredible support' after XFL shutdown |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/coronavirus/article/xfl-dragons-president-thanks-fans-amid-shutdown-15193390.php |access-date=May 10, 2020 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=April 10, 2020}}</ref> The second game had 22,060 in attendance, with the team among the highest-drawing in the XFL before the league suspended operations in the wake of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="PI-XFL"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Calkins |first1=Matt |title=Dragons and XFL have been an early hit in Seattle, but jury's still out on league's staying power |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seattle-dragons/xfl-dragons-have-been-an-early-hit-but-jurys-still-out-on-leagues-staying-power/ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=The Seattle Times |date=February 22, 2020}}</ref> The team resumed play in 2023 at Lumen Field as the Sea Dragons, holding their first home game on February 23.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lantz |first=Shane |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Seattle's XFL team has a new name, but familiar roots |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seattle-dragons/seattles-xfl-team-has-a-new-name-but-familiar-roots/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=October 31, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hanson |first1=Scott |title=Seattle Sea Dragons make their pitch to local fans as XFL season nears |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seattle-dragons/seattle-sea-dragons-make-their-pitch-to-local-fans-as-xfl-season-nears/ |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=The Seattle Times |date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> The Sea Dragons played their last game at the stadium on April 23, clinching a playoff berth with a 28–9 victory over the [[Vegas Vipers]]; the team did not survive the XFL's merger with the [[United States Football League (2022)|United States Football League]] to form the [[United Football League (2024)|United Football League]] the following year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sea Dragons clinch playoff spot after win vs. Vipers |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/other-sports/sea-dragons-clinch-playoff-spot-after-win-vs-vipers/ |access-date=January 1, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |date=April 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Russell |first1=Jake |title=XFL, USFL announce merger to form the United Football League |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/12/31/xfl-usfl-merger-ufl/ |access-date=January 1, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 31, 2023}}</ref>

=== College ===
[[File:Air Force at Qwest.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|alt=In an American football game, a runner with the ball faces a defender while a blocker locks with another defensive player. |[[2005 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]] hosting [[2005 Air Force Falcons football team|Air Force]] in [[2005 NCAA Division I-A football season|2005]]]]

Lumen Field has hosted several college football games. The hometown [[Washington Huskies football|Washington Huskies]] played their [[2005 Washington Huskies football team|2005]] season opener against the [[2005 Air Force Falcons football team|Air Force Falcons]] at the stadium in [[Tyrone Willingham]]'s first game as [[head coach]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Ted |last=Miller |title=What you see is what you get with Willingham |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN |date=August 26, 2005 |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/preview05/news/story?id=2140417 |access-date=January 7, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Huskies Falcons">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=252462005 |title=Washington 17, Air Force 20 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=November 22, 2009}}</ref> The Huskies played their entire [[2012 Washington Huskies football team|2012]] home schedule at the stadium while their home field, [[Husky Stadium]], underwent a $250 million renovation; to expedite the start of the renovation by three weeks, the Huskies and the [[2011 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State Cougars]] also played the [[Apple Cup]] in [[2011 Washington Huskies football team|2011]] at then-CenturyLink Field.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Condotta |first1=Bob |title=Huskies will play 2012 football season and 2011 Apple Cup at Qwest Field |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-huskies/huskies-will-play-2012-football-season-and-2011-apple-cup-at-qwest-field/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 30, 2010}}</ref> The stadium hosted its second Apple Cup in September 2024 after the Huskies moved to the [[Big Ten Conference]] and agreed to a five-year Apple Cup schedule with the Cougars.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yamashita |first=Andy |date=September 9, 2024 |title=Jedd Fisch ponders UW-WSU rivalry future before Saturday's Apple Cup |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/jedd-fisch-ponders-uw-wsu-rivalry-future-before-saturdays-apple-cup/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=September 17, 2024}}</ref>

From [[2002 Washington State Cougars football team|2002]] through [[2014 Washington State Cougars football team|2014]], the stadium hosted a [[Washington State Cougars football|Washington State Cougars]]' non-conference [[Home (sports)|home game]] each season (except for [[2010 Washington State Cougars football team|2010]]). This included the 86th "[[Battle of the Palouse]]" against the [[2003 Idaho Vandals football team|Idaho Vandals]] in [[2003 Washington State Cougars football team|2003]].<ref name="ESPN August 30, 2003">{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=232420070 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030923084504/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=232420070 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 23, 2003 |title=Washington State 25, Idaho 0 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=November 16, 2009}}</ref> The attendance for the dozen Cougar games ranged from 30,927 to 63,588.<ref name="Seattle Times 2009-09-09">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/cougars/2009834606_coug10.html |title=Washington State has no agreement to play at Qwest Field beyond Saturday |last=Grippi |first=Vince |date=September 9, 2009 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913070157/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/cougars/2009834606_coug10.html |archive-date=September 13, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Seattle Times 2009-11-03">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/budwithers/2009854995_withers13.html |title=Cougars football team is no match for Hawaii, falls 38–20 |last=Withers |first=Bud |date=September 12, 2009 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923031353/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/budwithers/2009854995_withers13.html |archive-date=September 23, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rutgers rallies in 4th to beat Cougars 41-38 |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547993 |work=ESPN |date=August 29, 2014 |access-date=January 21, 2016}}</ref> CenturyLink Field is approximately {{convert|300|mi}} from WSU, but closer to many alumni in the Seattle metro area. The university's athletic director said that an attendance of 50,000 was needed to make it worth moving the game from [[Martin Stadium]] in [[Pullman, Washington|Pullman]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4864809 |title=Wazzu to return to Qwest Field in 2011 |date=January 27, 2010 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN |access-date=February 11, 2010}}</ref> The Cougars went 6–6 in their annual Seattle home game, which generated additional revenue that was invested in facilities for the football program while also increasing exposure to the western side of the state.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eaton |first=Nick |title=WSU Cougars discontinue annual football game in Seattle |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/2014/08/27/wsu-cougars-discontinue-annual-football-game-in-seattle/ |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=August 27, 2014 |access-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128040402/http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/2014/08/27/wsu-cougars-discontinue-annual-football-game-in-seattle/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In April 2009, it was proposed that the annual Apple Cup between the Seattle-based Huskies and the Pullman-based Cougars be hosted at CenturyLink Field for six&nbsp;years beginning in 2010. The two programs could not reach an agreement on how to divide tickets. Pullman's business community had expressed concerns that playing the game away from the [[Palouse]] would be detrimental to the local economy.<ref name="Seattle Times 2009-04-24">{{cite news |first=Nicholas |last=Geranios |title=WSU won't seek Apple Cup at Qwest |date=April 24, 2009 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009118803_apfbcapplecupqwest2ndldwritethru.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428101219/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009118803_apfbcapplecupqwest2ndldwritethru.html |archive-date=April 28, 2009}}</ref>

Qwest Field hosted the second and final [[2002 Seattle Bowl|Seattle Bowl]] in late [[2002–03 NCAA football bowl games|2002]], in which [[2002 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team|Wake Forest]] beat [[2002 Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon]] 38–17.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=223640154 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030117074238/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=223640154 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 17, 2003 |title=MacPherson's three TDs power Wake's rout |publisher=ESPN |access-date=November 10, 2009}}</ref> The inaugural [[2001 Seattle Bowl|Seattle Bowl]] was played a year earlier at Safeco Field, but the game was discontinued when organizers could not secure financing before 2003. Later attempts to revive the [[Seattle Bowl]] were unsuccessful.<ref name="ESPN 2003-12-17">{{cite news |title=Seattle Bowl may be back in '04 |date=December 17, 2003 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=1688663 |access-date=September 16, 2009}}</ref> The Seattle Sports Commission led a push in 2008 for a new bowl game starting in 2010 that would have been a fundraiser for [[Seattle Children's|Seattle Children's Hospital]].<ref name="Seattle Times 2008-08-13">{{cite news |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/college/group-pushing-for-new-bowl-game-in-seattle/ |title=Group pushing for new bowl game in Seattle |last=Condotta |first=Bob |date=August 13, 2008 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 21, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080817114330/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/collegesports/2008109637_seattlebowl13.html |archive-date=August 17, 2008}}</ref>

Lower division [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] teams have played at the stadium throughout the years. From 2003 to 2008, the [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] football teams from [[Western Washington Vikings football|Western Washington University]] and [[Central Washington Wildcats football|Central Washington University]] met each year in a rivalry game called "The Battle in Seattle." Central won all but the 2004 game, and each meeting attracted more than 11,000.<ref name="Seattle Times Battle In Seattle">{{cite news |first=Craig |last=Smith |title=Battle in Seattle / Central quarterback attracts NFL interest |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/collegesports/2008254202_battle11.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 18, 2009 |date=October 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014055251/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/collegesports/2008254202_battle11.html |archive-date=October 14, 2008}}</ref>  Western (of [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]]) discontinued its football program after the [[2008 NCAA Division II football season|2008]] season, but Central (of [[Ellensburg, Washington|Ellensburg]]) agreed  to continue the series with [[Western Oregon Wolves|Western Oregon University]] (of [[Monmouth, Oregon|Monmouth]]) for games in 2009 and 2010. "Battle in Seattle VII" saw Central make a comeback to win 23–21 in front of 5,374.<ref name="Daily Record October 19, 2009">{{cite news |url=http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2009/10/19/sports/doc4adcd80cb2173018707102.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127093331/http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2009/10/19/sports/doc4adcd80cb2173018707102.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 27, 2013 |title=Small crowd shows up to Battle in Seattle VII |last=Abbott |first=Ian |date=October 19, 2009 |work=Daily Record |access-date=November 12, 2009}}</ref>

On October 31, 2009, the [[Football Championship Subdivision|Division I FCS]] [[2009 Eastern Washington Eagles football team|Eastern Washington University Eagles]] played a home game in Seattle for the first time. Along with the goal of drawing alumni from the [[Seattle metropolitan area|metropolitan area]], the athletic directors from both Eastern Washington (of [[Cheney, Washington|Cheney]]) and Washington State had expressed the importance of connecting with alumni at receptions and other events on the western side of the state.<ref name="Seattle Times 2009-09-09" /><ref name="The Olympian 2009-03-27">{{cite web |url=http://www.allvoices.com/news/2831939/s/30871834-eastern-washington-s-football-schedule-includes-game-at-qwest-field |title=Eastern Washington's football schedule includes game at Qwest Field |work=The Olympian |access-date=September 27, 2009 |date=March 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010113714/http://www.allvoices.com/news/2831939/s/30871834-eastern-washington-s-football-schedule-includes-game-at-qwest-field |archive-date=October 10, 2013}}</ref> Billed as the "Showdown on the Sound", the game was a 47–10 victory over the [[2009 Portland State Vikings football team|Portland State Vikings]].<ref>{{cite news |title=E. Washington 47, Portland St. 10 |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=293040331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111115850/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=293040331 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |publisher=ESPN |date=October 31, 2009 |access-date=November 11, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Eastern vs. Portland State |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/oct/31/eastern-vs-portland-state/ |work=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |date=October 31, 2009 |access-date=November 11, 2009}}</ref> According to Eastern's athletic director, Qwest Field's rental was $50,000 for the day.<ref name="SpokesmanReview 2009-11-01">{{cite news |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/nov/01/qwest-experience-worth-doing-again/ |title=Qwest experience worth doing again |last=Bergum |first=Steve |date=November 1, 2009 |work=The Spokesman-Review |location=Seattle |access-date=November 1, 2009}}</ref> The stadium subsequently hosted a game on September 11, 2010, between Eastern and Central; coined the "Battle of the Sound", the game saw Eastern prevail over Central 35–32.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Collingwood |first1=Ryan |title=10 years after the title: Central Washington gave Eastern Washington all it could handle in Seattle |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/sep/06/10-years-after-the-title-central-washington-gave-e/ |access-date=May 20, 2023 |work=The Spokesman-Review |date=September 6, 2020}}</ref>

=== High school ===
Lumen Field has been used for [[high school football]]. The [[Washington Interscholastic Activities Association]] (WIAA) puts on the annual Emerald City Kickoff Classic at the stadium. The event is a season-opening series of games between some of the best teams in the state.<ref name="MaxPreps 2009-09-07">{{cite web |url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/jliJBZvdEd6OEwAcxJTdpg/washington--skyline-wins-showdown-of-top-ranked-football-teams.htm |title=Washington: Skyline wins showdown of top-ranked football teams |last=Joyce |first=Nathan |date=September 7, 2009 |publisher=MaxPreps |access-date=September 10, 2009}}</ref> The WIAA approached the Seahawks regarding use of the stadium for their high school football state championship games after moving them out of the [[Tacoma Dome]] in 2019, but the latter declined and recommended using Husky Stadium instead, noting that they were unable to match the offer terms from [[Washington Huskies|UW's athletic department]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manley |first1=Jon |title=Why Husky Stadium? WIAA leader explains reasons for moving state football championships |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/high-school/article276147816.html |access-date=June 7, 2023 |work=[[The News Tribune]] |date=June 6, 2023}}</ref>

The stadium features a meeting between one of the best teams in Washington and one of the best from another state in the "Best of the West" game. On September 4, 2004, Washington's [[Bellevue High School (Bellevue, Washington)|Bellevue High School]] and California's [[De La Salle High School (Concord, California)|De La Salle High School]] played in front of over 25,000, a state high school event attendance record. Bellevue ended De La Salle's national-record 151-game winning streak in a 39–20 win.<ref>{{cite news |last=Grippi |first=Vince |date=September 9, 2004 |title=Bellevue's win over De La Salle had bit of deja vu |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/sep/09/bellevues-win-over-de-la-salle-had-bit-of-deja-vu/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref> On September 16, 2009, Bellevue defeated another highly regarded California school at Qwest Field in a 30–16 victory over [[Long Beach Polytechnic High School|Long Beach Polytechnic]]. ''[[USA Today]]'' had recently rated both teams highly with Long Beach third and Bellevue at 16th in the nation.<ref name="Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2008-09-20">{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Cameron |title=Bellevue headlines Classic |date=September 20, 2009 |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/preps/379887_bellevue20.html |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=July 5, 2009}}</ref>

After the organizer of the event announced a match-up between Washington's [[Skyline High School (Sammamish, Washington)|Skyline High School]] and Oregon's [[Jesuit High School (Beaverton, Oregon)|Jesuit High School]] in 2009, he said that he proposed the possibility of televising games to [[Fox Sports (USA)|Fox Sports]], but Fox did not televise the game.<ref name="The Oregonian 2009-09-03">{{cite web |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/09/high_school_football_taking_to.html |title=High school football taking to NFL stadium, national television in 2009 |last1=Wilson |first1=Mike |first2=Jerry |last2=Ulmer |date=September 3, 2009 |publisher=[[The Oregonian]] |access-date=November 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111222030/http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/09/high_school_football_taking_to.html |archive-date=January 11, 2010}}</ref> Skyline went on to shut out Jesuit 17–0 during that year's Emerald City Classic.<ref name="Sammamish Review 2009-09-08">{{cite news |url=http://sammamishreview.com/2009/09/08/skyline-shuts-out-oregon%E2%80%99s-best |title=Skyline shuts out Oregon's best |last=Huber |first=Christopher |date=September 8, 2009 |work=Sammamish Review |access-date=September 10, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007161255/http://sammamishreview.com/2009/09/08/skyline-shuts-out-oregon%E2%80%99s-best |archive-date=October 7, 2011 }}</ref>

Within Lumen Field, a large art piece called ''The State of Football'' pays tribute to high school football in the state of Washington. The piece features a depiction of Washington and holds replica football helmets from every high school football team in the state. The installation is part of the Stadium Art Program commissioned through First & Goal's lease of the facility, costing nearly $1.75&nbsp;million.<ref name="Seattle Times 1998-09-25" />