The Top 5 Largest Stadiums in Washington

In the stunning Pacific Northwest, the state of Washington is famous for its stunning coast and forests. But the Evergreen State is also home to vibrant sports teams, whether professional or at the college level. Seattle, the largest city in Washington, boasts the majority of the largest stadiums in Washington.

From the unique and stunning Husky Stadium in Seattle, home to the University of Washington Huskies football team, to the urbans Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park, home to the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners, these stadiums stand as prominent places for sports, concerts, a place of gatherings for the community. Let’s explore the biggest stadiums in Washington.

1. Husky Stadium (70,138)

Husky Stadium is located on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle. It is the largest stadium by capacity in the state and the Pacific Northwest. Built in 1920, it is primarily used for college football games.

The stadium has a capacity of 70,083 since its last renovation completed in 2013. The stadium’s location along Union Bay on Lake Washington is unique and provides stunning views of the water, the Cascade Mountains, and the Olympic Mountain Range. Husky Stadium, more than a hundred years old, underwent multiple renovations — one in 1950, a second in 1987, and the last one between 2012 and 2013.

The entire lower bowl and the lower deck of the stadium’s south side were demolished and replaced for the renovation. The large track that surrounded the field was also removed. Throughout the entire process, the goal was to keep the renovation eco-friendly.

95% of construction waste was either reused or recycled. Concrete from the lower bowl was taken out, crushed on site, and used as a filling under the structure. Additionally, the renovation used the Salmon Safe practices. It means they used two large retention ponds to filter all waste before it entered Lake Washington. Lastly, some trees that were taken out before construction were saved and replanted after the renovation’s completion.

Husky Stadium is the home stadium of the University of Washington Huskies football team, which competes in the Pac-12 Conference. During the last renovation, the football team played at Lumen Field. Attending a game at Husky Stadium is an exciting experience if you visit Seattle. The passionate fan base, known as the “Dawg Pack,” builds up an electric atmosphere on game days. Due to its location, some fans arrive at the stadium by boat! This unique tradition is called the “Sailgating.”

Other Facts

• 1962 World’s Fair: During the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, Husky Stadium was the venue for various events, including track and field competitions. Nearly ten million people attended the event throughout Seattle.
•  Olympic Games Venue: In 1990, during the Goodwill Games, the opening and closing ceremonies happened at Husky Stadium.
•  The Dawgfather’s Era: With head coach Don James, also known as the “Dawgfather,” UW’s football program had significant success in the 1980s and early 1990s. The Huskies won several conference championships and the 1991 national championship, with Husky Stadium as their home field.
•  Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks played at Husky Stadium during the seasons 1994, 2000, and 2001.
•  Sounders FC Matches: Husky Stadium has also hosted Major League Soccer (MLS) matches, specifically those of the Seattle Sounders FC.
•  The “Greatest Setting in College Football”: Husky Stadium is often named the “Greatest Setting in College Football”. This is due to its unique location on the shores of Lake Washington and the breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains.
•  Commencement: The University of Washington hosts its commencement every year in Husky Stadium with graduates and families.

2. Lumen Stadium (68,740)

Lumen Field, formerly called CenturyLink Field, is located in the SoDo neighborhood of Seattle, near the downtown area. Completed in 2002, the second-largest stadium in the state is primarily used for American football and soccer games. In November 2020, CenturyLink announced it was rebranded as Lumen Technologies, giving the stadium the name of Lumen Field.

The stadium has a capacity of 68,740 for NFL and MLS games. However, for concerts or special events, the capacity can be pushed to over 72,000 people. Lumen Field, famous for its distinctive design, features a partially retractable roof and walls. This helps protect fans from the Seatte’s rainy weather while letting fresh air in. The roof almost covers the entire seating area on the two largest sides but stays open over the field. The stadium also features various seating options, including luxury suites and club seats.

Last year, for its 20th anniversary, the stadium underwent minor renovations. Additional renovations are planned for 2023 and 2024. These include the creation of two standing-room open-air decks but also a unique hospitality area adjacent to the home team’s locker room. Spectators will be able to view players walking between it and the field.

Lumen Field is the home stadium for two major sports teams, the Seattle Seahawks, playing football in the NFL, and the Seattle Sounders FC, playing soccer in the MLS. Both teams attract thousands of fans to the stadium in Seattle. Additionally, the stadium is also home to the Seattle Sea Dragons, a football team playing in the XFL.

Outside of these three teams, Lumen Field also hosts other significant events ranging from concerts to college football games and even international soccer games. The stadium was chosen to host some of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, which will welcome the world’s best soccer teams.

Other Facts

• Super Bowl XLVIII (2014): Lumen Field hosted Super Bowl XLVIII, where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43 to 8. This was a historic moment for the stadium, the Seahawks, and the fans, as it was the Seahawks’ first (and only) Super Bowl victory.
•  NCAA College Football: In 2012 and 2013, during the Husky Stadium renovation, the Washington Huskies played the entire season at Lumen Field. It also hosted occasionally the Washington State Cougars.
•  Major League Soccer Matches: Besides the Seattle Sounders FC home games, Lumen Field hosts numerous MLS playoff matches, including MLS Cup finals. The stadium often hosts friendly games between European soccer clubs in early summer.
•  International Soccer Matches: The stadium hosts international soccer matches, including the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams. In 2026, it will host some of the best soccer teams in the world for the FIFA World Cup.
•  Concerts: Lumen Field has been a popular concert venue featuring some of the music industry’s biggest names. Artists like U2, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Ed Sheeran performed at the stadium, attracting thousands of fans.
•  Monster Jam: Lumen Field hosts Monster Jam events, where monster trucks compete in a series of races with exciting stunts. These events are a favorite among extreme motorsports fans.

3. T-Mobile Park (47,929)

Just a block away from Lumen Stadium is the T-Mobile Park. This large stadium is in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood, close to Seattle’s downtown. Completed in 1999, the third-largest stadium in Washington is primarily used for baseball games. Formerly named Safeco Field, T-Mobile bought the naming rights after the 2018 season for $87.5 million over 25 years.

T-Mobile Park’s seating capacity is of 47,929 during baseball games. It can decrease when hosting other events. The stadium has a retractable roof that can be closed in the event of rain, allowing games to be played in every type of weather. The park has a unique feature called ‘The Pen where fans can watch pitchers warming up before entering the game.

With its extensive seating, the stadium is the fourth-largest baseball stadium in the United States. Since its opening, it has been the home of the Seattle Mariners, a baseball team playing in the MLB. It hosts dozens of baseball games each season. It ranks as the 9th best stadium to go in the MLB.

While T-Mobile Park primarily hosts the Seattle Mariners, it also hosts other events, such as concerts and special events, before and after the baseball season.

Other Facts

• 2001 MLB All-Star Game: The stadium hosted the 2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game two years after its opening.
•  2001 Seattle Bowl: The stadium hosted the Seattle Bowl between Georgia Tech and Stanford. Georgia Tech upset victory 11th-ranked Stanford 24-14.
•  Ichiro Suzuki’s Historic Seasons: Ichiro Suzuki, a Mariners legend, set multiple records in the stadium. In 2001, Ichiro won both the American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. He also set a new single-season record for hits with 262.
•  Perfect Game: On August 15, 2012, Mariners pitcher Félix Hernández threw a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays. None of the 27 opposing batters could reach any reaching base.
•  Ken Griffey Jr.’s Return: In 2009, Ken Griffey Jr., one of the most beloved Mariners players in franchise history, returned to the team for his final two MLB seasons.
•  Playoffs Games: The Mariners never won a World Series, but the stadium often hosts several postseason games during the team’s playoff appearances.
•  Amateur Baseball Events: Outside of the MLB season, the stadium hosts amateur baseball events. For example, it hosts the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association high school state championships. In some years, the Washington Huskies baseball team plays a game at T-Mobile Park during the season. 
•  Community and Charity Events: Outside of baseball, T-Mobile Park is a venue for various community and charity events as well as concerts.

4. Martin Stadium (32,952)

Martin Stadium, located on the Washington State University campus, is in Pullman, WA. Completed in 1972, it is primarily used for college football games.

Since 2014, the stadium has the ability to host 32,952 fans. Now more than 50 years old, the stadium underwent various renovations. Its latest, in 2011 and 2014, saw the modernization of the facilities to enhance the fan experience. These renovations brought a brand new press box, new premium seats, luxury seats, loge boxes, and club seats. Overall, the stadium lost 2,000 seats in capacity after the renovation. Before the 2014 season, the scoreboard was replaced, a new ribbon board was added, and a full custom audio system was installed in Martin Stadium.

Martin Stadium is the home field for the Washington State Cougars football team, which competes in the Pac-12 Conference. Despite being smaller than other college football stadiums, Martin Stadium boasts a passionate, enthusiastic, and electric fan base.

Outside of football games, Martin Stadium sometimes hosts other events.

Other Facts

• College Football Rivalries: Martin Stadium hosts the Apple Cup when the Cougars play at home. This is the annual rivalry matchup between the Washington State Cougars and the University of Washington Huskies, an intense rivalry in college football. The last time the Cougars won was in 2012.
•  2003 Holiday Bowl Season: In the 2003 college football season, Washington State University had a successful year under head coach Bill Doba. The team earned a trip to the Holiday Bowl and played against the University of Texas.
•  Harsh Weather Conditions: During late-season games, WSU players sometimes have to play under cold and snowy conditions.
•  GameDay Traditions: Martin Stadium also has game-day traditions. These include the Cougar Pride Walk, where the team walks through a crowd of fans before home games. And also WSU’s beloved fight song, “The Washington State University Fight Song.”
•  Community Events: Martin Stadium hosts community events and concerts outside of football.

5. Tacoma Dome (21,000)

Tacoma Dome is a multi-purpose indoor arena in downtown Tacoma, WA. Constructed in 1983, it was meant to replace the Tacoma Armory.

With its capacity of 21,000 fans, it is the largest indoor facility in Washington. The capacity can vary depending on the type of events happening in the dome. For concerts, the capacity is approximately of 20,000 to 23,000 spectators. When the dome hosts sports events like basketball, the capacity decreases to 17,000 or 18,000.

The Tacoma Dome is a recognizable sight in Tacoma, with its unique and distinctive geodesic dome design. The dome, with a diameter of roughly 530 feet (160 meters), is made of Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric. At the time of its construction fifty years ago, it was one of the largest clear-span wooden domes worldwide.

Unlike the other stadiums, the Tacoma Dome is not currently the home stadium of a sports team. However, it was in the past. From 1983 to 1992, it hosted the Tacoma Stars in the MISL, an indoor soccer team. For one season, from 1994 to 1995, it was the home of the Seattle SuperSonics, a basketball team playing in the NBA (they are now the Oklahoma City Thunder). Finally, from 1997 to 2002, the Tacoma Sabercats, a minor ice hockey league in the WCHL, played under the dome.

Outside of sports, the dome hosts a variety of events, specifically for concerts.

Other Facts

• Concerts by Legendary Artists: The Tacoma Dome hosted concerts by some of the most iconic musicians in the world. Artists like Prince, U2, Madonna, The Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen came onto the stage.
•  Sporting Events: The arena has been the site of important sporting events. In 1989, the Tacoma Dome hosted the NCAA Women’s Final Four basketball tournament. From 1995 to 2019, it hosted the WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) football tournament. Since 2021, it has hosted the WIAA boys’ state basketball tournament.
•  WWE Wrestling: The Tacoma Dome is a popular venue for WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) events, like WrestleMania XIX in 2003.
•  1993 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon: In 1993, the Tacoma Dome hosted the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series. This unique marathon combined running with live music and is now a popular series of races held in various cities worldwide.
•  Political Rallies and Conventions: The Tacoma Dome is also a venue for political rallies and conventions. It has hosted events for various political parties and candidates over the years.
•  Trade Shows and Expos: The arena also frequently hosts trade shows, expos, and conventions covering various industries.

Summary of the 5 Biggest Stadiums in Washington