Seattle Sounders FC today announced matchday activities surrounding the club’s MLS season opener tomorrow, February 27, presented by matchday sponsor Prime Video. The Rave Green are facing off against Nashville SC at Lumen Field (5:00 p.m. PT / FOX 13+, Prime Video, iHeartMedia, El Rey 1360 AM) and fans are encouraged to arrive early to take full advantage of these activations ahead of the game.
As the month of February comes to a close, Sounders FC continues its celebration of Black History Month at Sunday’s match, bringing fans the opportunity to enjoy and educate themselves through a matchday pop-up exhibit in partnership with the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM). Sounders FC works regularly with NAAM in an effort to amplify the voices of experts as part of the club’s Social Justice Framework.
While NAAM has kept its doors closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the institution has been active in serving the community by producing virtual programming & pop-up experiences, reaching over 100,000 audience members annually. The Rave Green are excited to share some of NAAM’s important work with fans in person at tomorrow’s match, where a sampling of NAAM’s collection can be viewed through two exhibits: “Fighting for Hope: Seattle in the 1960s” and “Art as Life: The Story of Seattle’s Jacob Lawrence,” as well as a display of artwork by local Black artist Jeremy Bell.
Those wishing to support the work that NAAM and RAVE Foundation – Sounders FC’s charitable arm – are doing in the community can also participate in “Get a Book & Ball, Give a Book & Ball” tomorrow. This collaboration between NAAM and RAVE Foundation supports the Books & Balls program, in which the two organizations work to create a more equitable society by giving Black-centered children’s books and high-quality soccer balls to youth in the region. At the match, when a fan donates $20 to provide a book and ball to a local child, that fan will also receive a book and ball of their own.
In the North Plaza, those attending the match can find some special treats. Throughout the 2022 season, Sounders FC is partnering with Intentionalist – an online guide to intentional spending that supports small businesses and diverse local communities – to curate BIPOC and diverse-owned food trucks on matchday that align with the club’s social impact and cultural calendar. For Sunday’s match, in celebration of Black History Month, food trucks featured are Zuri’s Gourmet Donutz and Dat Creole Soul. Fans who grab a snack can also upload their receipts for a chance to win prizes through the previously announced Intentionalist Receipt & Receive activation.
Last December, the Rave Green partnered with Intentionalist for the 2022 schedule release, spotlighting BIPOC and minority-owned businesses associated with each month of matches. As a continuation of this theme, throughout the 2022 season, Sounders FC is hosting each featured restaurant at a special pop-up in Lumen Field’s PNW Marketplace concessions area. The first of these pop-ups, featured at Sunday’s match, is Taste of the Caribbean.
In the North Plaza of the stadium and in the Northwest Concourse, fans can find a variety of interactive games and activities:
• Pose with a Pro – An augmented reality experience that allows fans to have a virtual meeting with their favorite Sounders FC player, alongside a digital video of their encounter to share online.
• Sounders Penalty Kick – A digital activation where fans get five chances to score a goal against a virtual goalkeeper.
• Soccer Skee-ball – This activation allows fans to play a soccer-themed version of Skee-Ball, kicking a ball down a ramp, rather than rolling it, in order to score as many points as possible.
• Soccer Billiards – Fans can play a soccer-themed version of pool, challenging a partner and kicking colored soccer balls into the oversized pool table pockets before their opponent does.
• The Parlor – A new fan space that allows fans to “get their game-face on” by applying Sounders-themed temporary tattoos, face paint and hairspray to show their ultimate team support.
Ahead of kickoff, NAAM’s African American Choir Ensemble is performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and the traditional “Scarves Up!” moment is being led by Lauren “Lu” Barnes, Alana Cook, Jess Fishlock and Megan Rapinoe of OL Reign.
The National Anthem is being performed by the Seattle Opera’s Tess Altiveros.
Starting with Sunday’s MLS opener and continuing through the season, Sounders FC is also partnering with Boeing and Washington Youth Soccer to provide 100 tickets for every regular-season home match to area youth.
At halftime, a special on-field celebration is taking place, featuring Sounders alumni and a number of the club’s Season Ticket Members. The Season Ticket Members will have their annual Alliance Member scarves bestowed upon them by former Sounders players, as a symbol of the deep connection between Sounders FC and its passionate fanbase.
Earlier in the day, this ceremony takes place on a larger scale in Lumen Field’s North Plaza, as Season Ticket Members have the opportunity to be part of the inaugural “Home Is Where The Scarf Is” event. As the ultimate connection point between the club, players and fans, the annual Alliance Member scarf is a powerful symbol of a member’s association with Sounders FC. Combining the club’s commitment to taking steps to protect the planet and maintain carbon neutrality with its desire to gift the annual scarf in a way befitting of its deeper meaning, the new Home Is Where The Scarf Is tradition brings together club alumni and Alliance Members to unveil, receive and celebrate the annual Alliance Member scarf.
This larger scarf event is open only to Sounders FC Season Ticket Members. Members should have received prior communication and instructions regarding how to RSVP. Any media interested in covering the event should contact Sounders FC Communications.
As a reminder to fans, Lumen Field and Sounders FC’s current health and safety policy follows updated King County guidelines. As such, the use of facemasks when outdoors at Sounders FC matches is optional, though strongly encouraged by the club. Masks are still required in all indoor spaces throughout Lumen Field, including restrooms, club and suite-level lounges, the sensory room and the Pro Shop.
Vaccination verification or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of a given match is also currently required by King County through the end of February, including tomorrow’s match vs. Nashville SC. Fans ages 12 and older who wish to attend tomorrow’s game are required to show proof of full vaccination in order to enter the stadium. Fans who are not fully vaccinated or do not wish to participate in vaccination verification may still be granted entry with proof of a negative FDA-approved COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of kickoff. Children younger than 12 are allowed to enter without additional testing proof required.
At-home, self-administered test results are not accepted. For fans having trouble making an appointment for an FDA-approved COVID-19 test, Sounders FC is providing testing service at Lumen Field for Sunday’s game. Tests cost $69 each and results take 10-20 minutes. Walk-ups are accepted, but those wishing to pre-register to hasten their process may do so here.
Further information about Sounders FC matchdays, health and safety and how to be prepared to attend a match can be found via SoundersFC.com/Matchday/Know-Before-You-Go.
