Security fencing, missing names and busy construction crews all suggest the so-called “Seattle Stadium” is on its way to a World Cup.
SEATTLE — Security fencing now surrounds Lumen Field in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood, the most visible sign yet of the $19.4 million stadium fifa world cup The transformation is well underway.
Those hurdles came into focus Tuesday night as fans headed out to watch the Seattle Mariners play — and for some, change seemed to be happening quickly.
“I feel like this is definitely new in the last week or so,” said Max Gordon, who works in downtown Seattle and walks to the game with co-workers.
For brothers Max and Charlie, 8 and 7, the towering fence sparked another kind of curiosity.
“My brother can hit a fly ball higher than the fence!” one of them said as he assessed the new obstacle. “They’re very nice. I wish they weren’t electric!”
They are not. But the visible construction crews and heavy equipment behind the fence make it clear that important work is already taking place inside.
Fences also point to something else—something missing. The Lumen Stadium name is quietly disappearing from signs around the stadium. In compliance with FIFA’s non-sponsorship rules, the venue will be temporarily renamed “Seattle Stadium” during the tournament.
“The funny thing is they don’t allow it to be called a lumen field,” Gordon said.
The $19.4 million overhaul has been underway for months. A new patch of natural grass was installed last June, replacing the artificial turf normally used by the Seahawks and Sounders. New security fencing and upcoming infrastructure work represent the next phase of the effort.
Next, crews will begin installing vehicle barriers around the perimeter of the stadium to help protect fans during World Cup games.
To passing fans like Jensen Molver, this is all shaping up to be something worth subverting.
“It will be great to have a world stage to shine a spotlight on beautiful Seattle,” he said.
Construction is less than a month away, and officials say more changes are expected inside and outside the stadium before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Seattle this June.
