Public Stadium Authority . . . Overseeing the Construction & Operation of Lumen Field & Event Center
Welcome to the Public Stadium Authority – Your stewards of Lumen Field
The Washington State Public Stadium Authority (PSA) was created in 1997 by Washington voters’ approval of Referendum 48. For the last 24 years, the PSA board has overseen public ownership of the stadium, event center and parking garage known as Lumen Field, home of the Seahawks, Sounders, Seattle Reign, and the site of Seattle’s 2026 FIFA World Cup games.
2026 is shaping up to be another major milestone year for our beloved stadium. The PSA is approaching a quarter century of operation. The Seahawks are playing their 50th season in the National Football League, and the World Cup games begin at Lumen Field in mid-June!
The PSA’s Nearly Quarter Century of Service to Seattle Fans
Voter approval of Referendum 48 authorized the construction of Lumen Field. It triggered Paul Allen’s purchase of the Seahawks and launched an enduring partnership between the PSA and First and Goal, Inc. (FGI). Since it opened, Lumen Field has continued to rate annual among the top NFL and MLS venues in the nation. At the PSA, we are particularly proud of the fact that, with the World Cup, every major promise to the public made in 1997 has now been realized.
The PSA has delivered the following:
 | Full repayment of the original public investment in building the stadium (completed in 2021) |
| Tens of millions contributed to youth athletic field funding across Washington State |
| Millions more in funding for education |
| An ongoing partnership with the local community and adjacent neighborhoods |
| Worked with the Seahawks and Sounders to make games affordable and accessible |
| Brought professional soccer to Seattle – the Sounders began playing in 2009 – and now the World Cup |
The World Cup at Lumen Field
For ticket information,
visit the FIFA website.
Get up to speed on Seattle’s hosting efforts here.
Learn about the Seattle Sports Commission here.
Lumen Field and Event Center remains a major public amenity and an invaluable asset to our community and state, drawing about 2.5 million visitors annually for sports, concerts and consumer shows. The facility is maintained in first class condition, and the PSA is committed to continuing to safeguard the public interest in the facilities and the surrounding neighborhoods. We look forward to even more historic moments to come.
For operational issues, event information and scheduling, tickets, lost & found,
parking or concessions please visit Lumen Field for more information.
Public Stadium Authority . . . Overseeing the Construction & Operation of Lumen Field & Event Center
Cheers to 20+ Years!
Happy Anniversary to Lumen Field
On July 20, 2022, the Washington State Public Stadium Authority (PSA) celebrated its 20th anniversary of Lumen Field.
The PSA was created to own the stadium and exhibition center and to form a public-private partnership with First & Goal, Inc. to design, build and operate the new, open air, 68,000-seat stadium. The vision was for a state-of-the-art facility suited for NFL football, FIFA International Soccer and the anticipated expansion of MLS soccer. An Event Center for flat shows and concerts was first constructed and opened in 1998. Together with First & Goal Inc., the PSA ensures the high-quality operations and condition of the iconic venue now known as Lumen Field and Event Center.
The past twenty years have been filled with significant milestones. In fact, every major promise to the public made in the 1997 campaign has been realized.
Voters were promised a maximum $300 Million public investment:
The PSA facilitated the retirement of the debt on the Kingdome and managed the public’s $300 million contribution to construction of Lumen Field and Event Center. The PSA ensured that over $100 million of private revenue was reinvested into renovations and major maintenance to keep the building in first-class condition. The PSA continues to invest its share of the naming rights and all admission and parking tax revenue into major maintenance and modernization.
Voters were promised significant investments in youth athletic facilities:
As promised, the remaining balance in the bond account, after the final debt was retired last year, has been contributed to the State’s Youth Athletic Facilities Fund for acquiring, constructing, improving, and maintaining athletic fields across the State. That contribution exceeded over $40 million.
Voters were promised investments in education:
As promised, 20 percent of the net profits from events at Lumen Field Event Center have been contributed to the Washington State Common School Fund, totaling more than $5 million to date.
Voters were promised community mitigation:
As promised, Paul Allen made, and the PSA facilitated, a $10 million contribution toward neighborhood businesses and residents around the stadium for construction mitigation. That close cooperation with adjacent neighborhoods continues to this day.
Voters were promised a set aside of affordable seats in the stadium:
As promised, the Seahawks continue to offer 10 percent of available seats to each home game at the average lowest ticket price available in the NFL. The Seattle Sounders offer a similar program.
Voters were promised to bring international soccer and pledged an effort to bring FIFA World Cup to the stadium:
On June 18, 2022, FIFA selected Lumen Field and Seattle as a host location for the 2026 World Cup Tournament. In additional, Lumen Field has hosted international friendly matches between world class professional European and South American clubs, COPA America, US Women’s and Men’s National Teams, MLS Cup.
Lumen Field and Event Center remains a major amenity and an invaluable asset to our community and state for public gatherings of all types. It draws about 2.5 million visitors annually for sports, concerts and consumer shows. The facility remains in top notch condition, and the future of Lumen Field & Event Center is brighter than ever. The PSA Board pledges to continue to safeguard the public interest in the facilities and surrounding neighborhoods, and we look forward to even more historic moments to come!
For operational issues, event information and scheduling, tickets, lost & found,
parking or concessions please visit Lumen Field for more information.
