The Facility   Date Built July 19, 2002 Ownership
(Management) Washington State Public Stadium Authority
(First & Goal, Inc.) Surface FieldTurf Cost of Construction $360 million Stadium Financing Extension of county issued bonds serviced by car rental and hotel tax to raise $75 million; 6 additional lottery games to raise $91 million; Paul Allen to provide $100 million. Naming Rights Telecommunications corporation Qwest $75 million over 15 years. Former Names Seahawks Stadium (2002-2004) Stadium Architect Ellerbe Becket and
First and Goal, Inc. General
Contractors /
Construction Managers Turner Construction Company

       Qwest Field is aesthetically nested in the heart of downtown Seattle. The Stadium is split down the center with massive covered seating decks to protect the fans from the Seattle rain. But although visually appealing, these decks are functional in nature as well. Like two gigantic Bose headphones on each side of the field, the covered decks are actually acoustically optimized to direct crowd noise onto the field below. During each defensive series, the hometown crowd takes full advantage of Qwest Field's unique construction as noise levels rise when the opposing offense takes the field. Like two tangible walls of sound, crowd noise infects the field below to disrupt opposing offenses. Qwest Field is easily among the loudest stadiums that I've been in as evidenced by their league leading 60 opponent false start penalties since 2005 (as of October 21, 2007). Their closest competitor in this category resides in the Minneapolis Metrodome where Viking fans have caused only 42. The other nice feature of the Qwest Field design is the view of the Seattle Skyline provided in the South Endzone as the stadium opens up at ground level. It is a very impressive design, a unique blend of steel and brick that provides some protection from the elements, but not enough to disrupt the experience of being in an outdoor stadium that is subject to the elements. The Stadium design is very open, very welcoming. As a fan you get the feeling of communing with the city of Seattle on gameday as skyscrapers rise up around you. The thriving bar scene around Quest Field also provides an excellent venue for gameday celebration or in the event of a loss to drown your sorrows surrounded by compatriots that feel your pain.