Sounders FC, the Seattle Seahawks and First & Goal Inc. jointly announced today that the installation of a new FieldTurf Revolution 360 playing surface has been completed inside CenturyLink Field. The new surface replaces the previous FieldTurf pitch that was installed in 2016, allowing both Sounders and Seahawks players to utilize the state-of-the-art field effective immediately. Saturday’s home contest versus Cascadia Cup rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC marks the debut of the new FieldTurf. The match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT, with the Rave Green honoring the career of retired defender Chad Marshall prior to kickoff.
“Because of our strong partnerships with the Seattle Seahawks, First & Goal Inc. and FieldTurf, we are pleased to announce this new surface for our players half a season ahead of schedule,” said Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer. “The close relationships between all four organizations allow for this type of proactive collaboration, and we are excited for our players to take the field on their new surface this weekend. FieldTurf is a global leader in this space, and we are proud to have played on their surfaces for all 11 of our MLS seasons.”
FieldTurf systems offers unmatched performance and safety characteristics, delivering a premier experience to athletes and field owners. The company continues to find new ways to reduce the risk and severity of injuries, and its focus on safety has led to numerous injury-reducing innovations and improvements. Independent multi-year research validates their mission and execution of providing the safest playing fields possible for the athletes who use them.
Revolution 360 uses a leading monofilament fiber, providing optimal playability for football and soccer. Revolution 360 achieved a score of 83 on the Fiber Performance Index (FPI) and showed no signs of wear after 150,000 Lisport cycles in Fiber Wear testing conducted by Penn State’s Center for Sports Surface Research – an unprecedented score.
“FieldTurf has been a great partner for years and continues to set the standard in turf technology,” said David Young, Seahawks Senior Vice President of Business Operations and General Manager of CenturyLink Field. “It is imperative that we continue to provide the best playing surface for both the Seahawks and Sounders FC and we are proud to work with FieldTurf once again.”
“FieldTurf is thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with the Seahawks and Sounders FC,” said FieldTurf President Eric Daliere. “We share a commitment to player safety and it is a testimony to the quality of our products that such prestigious organizations continue to put their trust in our company.”
CenturyLink Field is one of four NFL stadiums to utilize FieldTurf, along with Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Detroit’s Ford Field and New England’s Gillette Stadium. There are three MLS stadiums in addition to CenturyLink Field that use FieldTurf (Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, New England’s Gillette Stadium and Portland’s Providence Park).
The two Seattle organizations have a long history with FieldTurf. In 2000, when the Seahawks played at the University of Washington’s Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium, they became the first NFL team to play their home games on FieldTurf. The partnership has continued at CenturyLink Field and at both the Seahawks and Sounders FC training facilities (VMAC and Starfire Sports). Sounders FC has played on FieldTurf since its inaugural 2009 season in Major League Soccer.
ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Winner of the 2016 MLS Cup, 2014 MLS Supporters' Shield and four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014), Sounders FC is Seattle's Major League Soccer franchise. The club received an MLS charter on November 13, 2007 and has qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs in every year of its existence. Sounders FC reached a milestone in 2016, as the franchise claimed its first MLS Cup championship with a road victory over Toronto FC, which was followed by a second consecutive berth in the league championship in 2017. Since the club's debut MLS season in 2009, Sounders FC has set the standard for soccer support in North America, leading the league in attendance for eight consecutive seasons (2009-2016) and routinely ranking in the top 30 in attendance among all professional teams internationally. Prior to joining MLS, the Seattle Sounders organization has been a part of the greater Seattle community and U.S. Soccer professional scene since 1974.
ABOUT FIELDTURF
When it comes to artificial turf sports fields, FieldTurf is the most trusted brand in the industry. Whether it’s football, soccer, baseball or any other sport, FieldTurf fields provide athletes with the safety and performance they need to perform at their best, while giving field owners the durability they want to maximize the value of their investment. FieldTurf is a world leader in artificial turf with over 20,000 installations worldwide. FieldTurf is a part of Tarkett Sports, a world leader in athletic surfacing, offering a comprehensive portfolio of sports flooring solutions.
ABOUT FIRST & GOAL INC.
First & Goal Inc. (FGI) was formed in 1997 after voters in Washington State approved the proposal to build a new Football / Soccer Stadium and Exhibition Center. FGI was the private partner in the development along with the public partner, the Public Stadium Authority. FGI now serves as the operator of the facility.
ABOUT CENTURYLINK FIELD AND CENTURYLINK FIELD EVENT CENTER
The CenturyLink Field stadium complex includes CenturyLink Field, the 325,000 sq. ft. CenturyLink Field Event Center, and WaMu Theatre. CenturyLink Field, which opened in 2002, is home to the National Football League’s Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer. In addition, CenturyLink Field and CenturyLink Field Event Center host more than 185 events per year, attracting more than 2.4 million attendees annually. The venue has hosted many premier concerts, including Beyoncé, Metallica, Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, and U2, international soccer matches, Supercross, corporate events and community gatherings.
