Step Inside: Husky Stadium – Home of the Washington Huskies

Home of the Washington Huskies

Located on Seattle’s Montlake Boulevard near the southeast corner of campus, Husky Stadium is home to the University of Washington football team. The U-shaped stadium’s open end features stunning views of Lake Washington, Mount Rainier and the rest of the Cascade Mountains. Read more below to learn everything about Husky Stadium.

Husky Stadium History

Husky Stadium opened on November 27, 1920. Constructed by the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company, the complex originally had a capacity of 30,000 seats. It quickly played a massive part in American history, as less than three years after it was built President Warren G. Harding gave what would be his final address to the public on July 27, 1923. He died in San Francisco less than a week later.

Through the decades, Husky Stadium regularly continued to expand its capacity, with the first covered grandstands being built on the south side in 1950, followed by the addition of several thousand seats in 1968 and the north grandstands being completed in 1987. Its capacity is now more than double what it originally was.

In 1990, Husky Stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Goodwill Games, featuring addresses by former President Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger and musical performances by rock bands the Moody Blues and Gorky Park. During the sporting competition, the stadium was also the site of the track and field events.

According to local folklore, Husky Stadium is argued to be the site where the first “Wave” took place in the crowd — during a football game on Halloween 1981 (however, there’s also proof that fans at Oakland Coliseum did the “Wave” two weeks earlier during a Major League Baseball playoff game.) The stadium is also widely recognized as one of the loudest athletic venues in the country, partly by design due to its cantilevered metal roofs and 70 percent of the seats being located between the end zones.

Parking and Admission at Husky Stadium

General parking for Husky Stadium is located to the south of the venue in lots E12 and E20, as well as a short walk down Montlake Boulevard in lots E1 and E18. (The tailgating area is adjacent to lot E18.) All lots open at 4:30 p.m. except lot E18, which opens early at 9:00 a.m.

ADA accessible parking is located right next to Husky Stadium in lots E17 and E20. All lots accept payment by phone code. For a parking map and list of phone codes, please visit the University of Washington’s Parking Information page.

Husky Stadium enforces a clear bag policy for all athletic events. Approved bags include a clear plastic bag (no larger than 12 in x 16 in x 12 in), a 1 gallon-size plastic freezer bag and a clutch with a shoulder or wrist strap (no larger than 4.5 in x 6.5 in). Non-approved bags include backpacks, camera cases, purses, luggage, fanny packs, mesh bags, tinted or patterned plastic bags, luggage, oversized tote bags, binocular cases and more. Seat cushions with pockets are also not permitted.

Additional items approved inside Husky Stadium include banners and flags, binoculars and cameras for still photography, seat cushions with no zippers or pockets, medically necessary items (including liquids or food), containers (including empty or factory-sealed plastic water bottles, thermoses, unopened soft-sided juice boxes and baby bottles), umbrellas, blankets and necessary personal items. Service animals are also allowed into the stadium.

Any items not on the list of approved items will not be allowed into Husky Stadium. Please review the list of permitted items on the University of Washington website.

Husky Stadium Capacity & Seating Options

Husky Stadium now holds 70,138 fans, maintaining its status as the largest stadium in the Pacific Northwest.

Due to its unique U-shaped design, seating in Husky Stadium is a bit unique. The east end of the stadium only holds five sections of seating, as well as Touchdown Terrace overlooking the eastern end zone. Meanwhile, the other three sides of the stadium contain multiple levels of seating, including traditional stadium seating and suite-level seating. Sky suites also run along the length of the field on both the north and south sides of the stadium. You can view the seating chart for the stadium here.

Food & Beverage Options at Husky Stadium

Husky Stadium offers a wide variety of dining options including Pizzeria La Rocca, Kidd Valley, Ivar’s, Juma Nacho House, Induction Cart, Touchdown Terrace, Trophy Cupcakes and more — in addition to its regular concessions, beer stands and Walkthru Bru stands.