Seattle's Lumen Field makes strong impression on World Cup stage
There's been no shortage of praise for Seattle's soccer scene and Lumen Field, ahem … Seattle Stadium, especially after Friday's USA vs. Australia match put Seattle in the spotlight.
But recognition of Seattle's good fit as a World Cup host was also there before the U.S. Men's National Team beat the Socceroos 2-0. In an article released the day before the match, The Athletic ranked Lumen Field as the best 2026 World Cup stadium. The rankings were based on "atmosphere, location and suitability for soccer," with Seattle falling three points shy of a perfect score.
Friday's game confirmed Seattle's place in the top spot was the right ranking. Fans were loud enough to trigger seismic activity readings inside the stadium after the U.S. scored their first goal. People who couldn't get a ticket to the game packed watch parties from Pioneer Square to Pier 62. The day brought international attention to Seattle's soccer culture and by the end, the city had earned its flowers.
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Stadiums in The Athletic's rankings were rated on a scale of one to ten in five categories: matchday experience, match atmosphere, transport and location, aesthetics and suitability for soccer/football.
Lumen Field tied for first with Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Seattle's stadium, home to the Seahawks, Sounders and Reign, scored a nine in matchday experience and an eight in match atmosphere. It had perfect marks in the other three categories for a final score of 47 points.
The Athletic's blurb about Lumen focused on its prime location in the middle of the city that is easily accessible.
"There is so much that is great about this, but primarily it means the city feels alive wherever you are on a matchday," wrote Simon Hughes, a senior writer for The Athletic. "Nobody stresses about how they are going to get out to the stadium."
He also praised local organizers for the fanfare around the venue, noting that Pioneer Square was alive ahead of Seattle's first World Cup match where Belgium faced Egypt on June 15.
Hughes also noted the stadium's design, with key features like the Hawk's nest. Notably, he wrote, "I cannot think of a stadium in the world that feels so connected to the city it belongs to."
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