As permitted by regional health authorities, including Public Health – Seattle & King County and the Washington State Department of Health, Seattle Sounders FC is preparing to introduce vaccinated sections at Lumen Field beginning with the club’s May 23 match against Atlanta United. Partnering with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health on this initiative, today’s announcement moves Sounders FC’s matchday closer to a traditional experience, as these new sections are being sold at 100 percent capacity. With all individuals being fully vaccinated, attendees in these sections can stand side-by-side with fellow Sounders FC fans in the comfort of knowing that everyone is fully vaccinated and verified accordingly. Beginning May 23, fans who attend matches at Lumen Field in these sections are still required to wear masks and to provide valid documentation of their vaccination.
This program is part of the Sounders FC’s continued commitment to public health, as the club encourages all members of the community to get vaccinated in the fight against COVID-19. Earlier this month, the club launched its first mass vaccination clinic at Lumen Field. Also in partnership with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and the City of Seattle, the club continues to offer vaccinations to all eligible fans at May home games, including this Sunday evening as the Rave Green take on LAFC (6:30 p.m. PT / FS1, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). Additionally, the club previously announced that all First Team players and support staff are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Vaccination throughout our community is how we are going to get back to normal, and today’s news is another significant marker in that effort,” said Sounders President of Business Operations Peter Tomozawa. “The ability to host vaccinated sections inside Lumen Field is an important milestone in the fight against COVID-19. I know we all want to see those limited vaccination sections turn into a full stadium of support for our team, and vaccines are how we get there. We encourage anyone who hasn’t gotten their shot yet to do so, whether at a Sounders match or elsewhere in the community. It’s how we’re going to save lives, protect our community and do more of the things we love.”
To honor their commitment, on May 17 Sounders FC Season Ticket Members are receiving priority access to increased capacity through both vaccinated section tickets and additional sections with physical distancing before the general public. Members who were unable to purchase during the club’s first on-sale are also being prioritized. Season Memberships are still available, with more information available via SoundersFC.com or by calling 877-MLS-GOAL. For complete information, details and pricing for 2021 Sounders FC Season Memberships, fans should call 877-MLS-GOAL or email Sales@SoundersFC.com.
VACCINATED SEATING SECTIONS
For both the May 23 match vs. Atlanta United and the May 30 contest vs. Austin FC, vaccinated sections are being offered at Lumen Field. The sections that are included as vaccinated sections are the Emerald City Supporters section in the south end of Lumen Field (lower 121-123) and sections 304-309 in the east 300 level.
Eligibility for these new vaccination sections is based on the following protocols:
- “Fully vaccinated” indicates that on the date of the match, it has been at least two weeks (14 days) since an individual and anyone they are purchasing a ticket for (16+) received the second dose in a two-dose vaccine series (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna) or the single dose of the one-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Jansen).
- Fans 16 and older who are fully vaccinated and show valid vaccination documentation can purchase tickets.
- Children older than two and less than 16 years of age can sit in a fully vaccinated section, but must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of kickoff using a PCR test or within 24 hours of kickoff using a rapid test.
- There is no onsite testing available. Testing must be completed independently prior to matchday.
- The Emerald City Supporters sections are only for those that are 16 and older who are fully vaccinated.
PROOF OF VACCINATION
Upon arrival at the gate, fans proceed to a check-in table where staff will confirm their vaccine or test documentation. Once confirmed, fans will receive a wristband to proceed to the designated security and ticket scanning lane for vaccinated sections.
The following methods are acceptable as proof of full vaccination (if 16 years or older):
- Vaccination card (which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided and date last dose administered).
- A photo of a vaccination card as a separate document.
- A photo of the attendee’s vaccination card stored on a phone or electronic device.
- Documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider, electronic health record or state Immunization Information System record.
- NOTE: Self-reported vaccination records that are not verified by a healthcare provider cannot be accepted.
The following methods are acceptable as proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (between ages two and 15):
- Printed document (from the test provider or laboratory).
- An email or text message displayed on a phone or electronic device from the test provider or laboratory. The information provided should include name of person tested, type of test performed and date of negative test result.
- Self-reported negative test results that are not from a test provider, a laboratory, or a healthcare provider cannot be accepted.
- NOTE: For PCR tests, the date of the administered test must be within the prior 72 hours (please factor in the amount of time for the lab to return results). For antigen tests, the date of a negative result must be within the prior 24 hours.
- Self-reported negative test results that are not from a test provider, a laboratory, or a healthcare provider cannot be accepted.
Documentation of vaccination status and personal identification documentation must be available upon request at any time. Anyone without proof of vaccination or a negative test as described above is not be permitted to enter the vaccinated section.
ENTRY PROCESS
Fans will be directed to enter the facility through designated fully vaccinated lanes at the northeast gate (for those sitting in the 300 level) and the south gate for those sitting in supporters’ sections (121-123).
At the northeast gate, all lanes are being allocated to those sitting in vaccinated sections.
At the south gate, several lanes are being allocated as vaccinated section lanes. Fans may exit any available exit.
OTHER SEATING SECTIONS AT LUMEN FIELD
As previously announced, the rest of the stadium remains as physically distanced sections and sold in single household pods of 1-6 tickets, with at least six feet of distance between each pod. It is not required to be fully vaccinated or to have a negative result from a COVID-19 test to sit within these sections. Face masks continue to be required throughout the building.
Lumen Field has implemented an array of enhanced measures to make the Sounders FC matchday experience as safe as possible, including a touchless venue experience, new food and beverage protocols, in addition to enhanced sanitation procedures.
MOBILE VACCINATION CLINICS
Fan vaccinations at Lumen Field – like all COVID-19 vaccinations – are free of charge and are being made available on a walk-up basis with no appointments necessary. Two locations are serving those in attendance at Sounders FC matches in May: one in the West Field Plaza outside of section 140, and the second in the East Main Concourse outside of section 104.
Vaccinations are available starting when gates open, running through the end of each match in May.
At each in-stadium vaccination location, vaccinations are being administered by Seattle Fire Department mobile EMS units, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is providing staffing and volunteers to support the vaccination process. Fans have the choice between receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or receiving a first dose of the Moderna vaccine.
If receiving Moderna, those being vaccinated are also able to schedule their second dose, which will take place at any one of the City of Seattle’s community vaccination hubs of the fan’s choice.
Both vaccines are only available to those 18 years old or older. The vaccines are only available to those who are unvaccinated; if a fan has already received one dose of a vaccine elsewhere, they cannot receive their second dose at the in-stadium clinics.
Sounders FC and Lumen Field continue to abide by previously instituted health and safety measures for matches, including requiring all fans, stadium and team employees to wear face masks, seating fans in pod groups and providing a touchless venue experience.
Outside of vaccinations offered at Sounders FC matches, Lumen Field continues to operate as one of the City of Seattle’s community vaccination hubs, alongside fixed sites at North Seattle College, Rainier Beach and West Seattle. Those unable to attend a match but who still wish to be vaccinated can do so at Lumen Field and other vaccination sites and are encouraged to do so.
For more information about the City of Seattle’s vaccination efforts, including vaccine Q&As, please visit Seattle.gov/Mayor/Covid-19/Vaccinations.
For more information about the City of Seattle’s vaccination efforts, including links to sign up for vaccinations and vaccine Q&As, please visit Seattle.gov/Mayor/Covid-19/Vaccinations.
