Seattle Sounders FC today announced further details surrounding Side by Side: The PNW Experience, the team’s can’t-miss event of the season coming to Lumen Field this Sunday. The day is highlighted by an epic doubleheader, featuring a blockbuster day of soccer in a first-of-its-kind event for the Puget Sound region that sees both its men’s and women’s professional teams play at the same venue on the same day in a single-ticketed experience. OL Reign takes on Portland Thorns FC at 4:00 p.m. PT, followed by Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers at 7:30 p.m. PT.
Beyond the excitement of this day of classic Pacific Northwest rivalry on the pitch, the Rave Green are celebrating the life and legacy of Jimi Hendrix, with special matchday elements to enjoy, including three live music stages located throughout the stadium, spotlighting both established and up-and-coming local artists.
General admission gates open at 3:00 p.m. PT and fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early ahead of the afternoon’s first match, as music performances begin at this time and scarf pin giveaways and limited-edition event gear are expected to move quickly.
Today the club released full artist lineups for all three stages of music, as well as additional important details for fans planning to attend the exciting event.
HOW TO ATTEND
Tickets are currently available, and all are invited to Lumen Field to take part in this extraordinary day celebrating passionate soccer rivalries and honoring the legacy of Jimi Hendrix and the Seattle music culture that has thrived in his wake. The entire event is a single-ticketed experience, with one ticket providing access to both games and all related activities throughout the stadium.
General admission gates open at 3:00 p.m. PT. Fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early ahead of the afternoon’s first match, as music performances begin at this time and scarf pin giveaways and limited-edition event gear are expected to move quickly.
Announced earlier this week, re-entry into Lumen Field is now permitted in between the day’s two matches.
In listening to fan feedback and considering best practices for health and safety, the club is now allowing fans who enter Lumen Field for the first match of Sunday’s slate, featuring OL Reign vs. Portland Thorns FC, to scan out of the stadium at any time between 5:15 and 6:45 p.m. PT from the northwest gate or southwest gate before returning at a later time to re-enter for Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers.
Fans choosing to leave Lumen Field and re-enter must officially scan out from either the northwest gate or southwest gate in order for their ticket to be valid for re-entry later in the evening.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Sounders FC and Lumen Field are committed to providing a safe and comfortable matchday experience. As announced earlier this week, and in accordance with the latest order from Governor Jay Inslee and the Washington State Department of Public Health, the updated masking policy to be enforced by Lumen Field requires all stadium guests ages five and older to wear a mask in all indoor areas of the stadium, regardless of vaccination status. This policy is inclusive of the club level, west field plaza, south main concourse and restrooms throughout the building.
Lumen Field has implemented an array of enhanced measures to make Sounders FC matchday and all stadium events as safe as possible, including a touchless venue experience, new food and beverage protocols, in addition to enhanced sanitation procedures.
LIVE MUSIC
Leading the day’s special activities off the pitch are three stages of live music, courtesy of club partner the Puyallup Tribe’s Emerald Queen Casino.
The Hendrix Main Stage is located in the north plaza of Lumen Field and leads the way with a Seattle music showcase, headlined by a Jimi Hendrix tribute performance by The Black Tones and other artists from 6:00 through 7:00 p.m. PT, in between the OL Reign and Sounders FC matches. Additional artists playing on the Hendrix Main Stage include: Evert, Kim&Brian, Lady A, Grxtty and Thaddillac.
Sounders FC is partnering with Seattle staple MoPOP – the Museum of Pop Culture – to bring the MoPOP Stage to life, located in the West Field Plaza. This stage is set to feature a variety of music styles with Hendrix-inspired twists, and artists include: NËSTRÄ, Kiddus Fecto, Talaya., Instant Crush, Baja Boy and King Youngblood.
The Full 90 Stage is located in the east main concourse and features local artists Judd Masserman, Abigail Neilson, Billy Brandt, Kimo Muraki and Stephanie Anne Johnson.
MATCHDAY GIVEAWAY
Matchday sponsor Zulily is providing 30,000 Jimi Hendrix Kit-themed Sounders FC flags, available at seats in the lower bowl. Fans in attendance are being asked to use their flags as part of a pregame moment leading up to kickoff of Sounders-Timbers.
HENDRIX JERSEYS, OL REIGN GEAR & SPECIALTY ITEMS
If fans have been waiting to get their hands on the team’s coveted Jimi Hendrix Kit, released to wide acclaim in March, the Lumen Field Pro Shop on Sunday will be restocked with sizes that have previously been sold out. Those hoping to score one of the jerseys shouldn’t wait, as popular sizes are once again expected to go quickly.
Due to pandemic-related production issues, previously announced scarf tags are unable to reach Seattle in time for Sunday’s match. However, the club has pivoted to still provide fans with a chance to grab a unique memento, and is now offering enamel scarf pins.
Fans in attendance can choose one of three exclusive pin designs: A purple pin featuring the Side by Side: The PNW Experience logo, a yellow pin featuring guitar artwork and Jimi Hendrix’s signature or an orange pin featuring the Sounders FC and OL Reign crests commemorating this first-ever doubleheader.
Scarf pins are provided to fans at no cost, but are only available while supplies last and are expected to move extremely quickly. Fans wishing to ensure that they are able to secure a scarf pin are strongly encouraged to arrive at the stadium early and make visiting a pin station a priority.
Pin stations can be found in the north plaza, northwest and southwest main concourse, in addition to the west club level.
In addition to scarf pins, the Lumen Field Pro Shop will be stocked with t-shirts and scarves featuring exclusive Side by Side: The PNW Experience artwork. Scarves are modeled here by OL Reign’s Jess Fishlock and Lauren “Lu” Barnes and Sounders FC’s Kelyn Rowe and Brad Smith.
OL Reign gear will be available for purchase on Sunday, both outside the Lumen Field Pro Shop in the West Main Concourse and at a dedicated OL Reign kiosk located in the north plaza. Fans can grab, jerseys, scarves, hats and shirts to support the Puget Sound’s NWSL powerhouse.
EXCLUSIVE AUCTION ITEMS
Fans have the chance to bid on a selection of exclusive auction items, including a one-of-a-kind Gibson Les Paul Special II GT guitar, donated by Gibson Gives and featuring a custom design inspired by the Sounders FC Jimi Hendrix Kit.
Auction proceeds benefit RAVE Foundation’s initiative to build small fields for free play in marginalized communities throughout the Puget Sound region, and, specifically, auction items will help fund a collaborative mini pitch investment in Tacoma with OL Reign.
Other auction items include Jimi Hendrix Kit Signature Boxes – each exclusive collectable box containing a Jimi Hendrix Kit and signature scarf, not available for purchase in stores; framed Side by Side: The PNW Experience event posters; game-worn player gear and much more. Many of these items will additionally feature autographs from Sounders FC and OL Reign players.
Items can be viewed and bids placed via Sounders.GiveSmart.com – allowing everyone to participate whether or not they are able to attend the match. Bidding opens at 12:00 p.m. PT on August 25 and closes at the end of halftime of Sounders FC’s match against the Timbers.
At the match, auction items are available for viewing in person in the northwest main concourse.
ALLIANCE MEMBER EXPERIENCE
Located in the north plaza and open from 3:00-7:00 p.m. PT, Sounders FC Season Ticket Members can take advantage of The Alliance Member Experience, a special VIP area complete with space to relax and commune, the Michelob Ultra beer garden, lawn games and a dedicated scarf pin station which includes a special fourth pin option available only for Members. Members also have the chance to win exclusive prizes.
HONORING OLYMPIANS
Freshly back to the NWSL following the Olympic Games in Tokyo, fans can celebrate the gold and bronze medals earned by Canadian and American players with a special pre-match ceremony held ahead of kickoff of Sounders-Timbers. Olympians from both OL Reign and Portland Thorns FC are being recognized and celebrated.
GOLDEN SCARF PRESENTATION
The Joe Roth Golden Scarf – renamed in 2019 to recognize and honor the indelible impact inaugural club owner Joe Roth had on Sounders FC since the club’s inception in MLS – is considered Sounders FC’s highest distinction, presented to select members of the community who have either had a great impact on the sport or have done remarkable things for the city and region.
Following the honoring of Reign and Thorns Olympic athletes and just ahead of kickoff of Sounders FC’s match, the Rave Green are presenting their first Golden Scarf since 2019, posthumously honoring Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix’s scarf will be accepted by his family on his behalf.
