Excitement is building for the National Football League season opening celebration in Seattle on Thursday, Sept. 4 at CenturyLink Field. Up to 100,000 fans are expected to converge in the Pioneer Square and Stadium areas for the festivities.
Whether you are headed to the event, or just wanting to travel through the area in the afternoon, allow extra time as there may be significant traffic delays. Public agencies and public transportation providers are coordinating plans to manage the added traffic. SDOT, the Seattle Police Department, and WSDOT will monitor traffic during the event to make adjustments as possible to keep traffic moving. Police Officers on the streets near the stadium will assist traffic, dynamic message signs will advise drivers, and traffic signals will be set to best accommodate incoming traffic before the game.
The Gameday Village will be open all day on Sept. 3 and 4 in Pioneer Square, closing Occidental Avenue South. There will be a free concert on Sept. 4 at 3 p.m. featuring the Soundgarden and Pharrell Williams in the lot north of CenturyLink Stadium. If you have game tickets, you are advised to watch the concert on the large screen inside the stadium to avoid missing the opening ceremonies. Gates to the concert as well as the stadium will open at 2:30 p.m., and the game will begin at 5:30 p.m. Fans with tickets for the game should arrive at the stadium from the south, and are advised to be in their seats by 5 p.m. If you are going to the concert, enter from the north, at South Jackson Street. If you arrive by Light Link Rail, use the Stadium exit, not the International District exit. For additional tips offered by the Seahawks for fans coming to the concert or the game, please see http://www.Seahawks.com/Kickoff .
South King Street will be closed at 7 p.m. on Sept 3. Police Officers will close additional streets to through traffic as needed on Sept. 4, as early as 10 a.m., to manage traffic, possibly closing streets as far north as James Street. Metro buses will be allowed through. Fourth Avenue South and First Avenue South will remain open.
If you are coming into downtown Seattle or the Stadium area on Sept. 4, you are encouraged to travel by bus, light rail, commuter rail, carpool or bicycle. Employees who work in downtown Seattle and who are not planning to participate in the festivities are advised to leave for home before 3 p.m. or wait after 5:30 p.m., if possible. You will find real time traffic information on www.seattle.gov/transportation/travelers. If you plan to use public transit, check the websites of the transportation provider you plan to use to find out about delays or reroutes.