Your ultimate mega-guide to Taylor Swift in Seattle: Parking, tailgating, merch & more
READ MORE
Taylor Swift in Seattle
Pop superstar Taylor Swift will perform at Lumen Field in Seattle for two nights — Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23. The News Tribune will fill you in on all the details, from how to find (expensive!) tickets to what you can bring to the shows. Check back for updates!
Expand All
Finally, Taylor Swift is coming back to Seattle.
The worldwide superstar brings her Eras Tour to Lumen Field on Saturday and Sunday, and unsurprisingly, both shows are a sellout.
Here’s everything you need to know about the concert before you go, including where and when drop-off begins, what you can bring into the stadium and when you can start buying merchandise. Don’t forget to read our other stories about Swift’s return to the Emerald City, such as five concert rituals you need to know and a dive into who’s opening both nights.
If you didn’t snag a ticket, you can follow along with the The News Tribune on its Twitter, Threads, Instagram and TikTok accounts.
When does Lumen Field open?
Parking for the Era’s Tour is sold out, but the Lumen Field Parking Garage and North Lot open at 6 a.m. both days for those with pre-purchased parking passes. Overnight or RV parking is not permitted, according to the Lumen Field website, and vehicles over 8-foot-3 are only allowed in the North Lot. Both parking lots will close two hours after the concert ends.
Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., but those with “Karma Is My Boyfriend” and “It’s Been A Long Time Coming” VIP ticket packages can get in early through a VIP entrance — details on early entry should be displayed with your tickets. Lumen Field will not sell tickets at the box office on the day of the show.
The first opener is expected to take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Fans can expect Swift to start performing around 8 p.m.
Where is Lumen Field’s parking and drop-off?
Although parking is sold out through Lumen Field, you can still purchase parking passes off secondary markets, but expect prices of at least $118. Those parking in the parking garage will find it on the south side of Lumen Field, while the North Lot is on the stadium’s north side.
Fans can also park at lots farther away from the stadium for prices ranging from $30-$100 — the website ParkWhiz.com lists nearby parking options.
For fans getting dropped off by a friend or ride-share app, the designated drop-off point is across from the Lumen Field Pro Shop on the stadium’s west side. Drivers can reach the drop-off point using 1st Avenue South to get to the Railroad Way pedestrian path west of Occidental Avenue.
Public transportation options
Don’t want to drive yourself or pay for ride-share services? Seattle has many public transportation options you can take directly to the concert.
Link Light Rail
The Link has two stations around Lumen Field, the Stadium stop and the Chinatown stop. Depending on your trip length, one-way adult fares cost between $2.25 and $3.50. You can also purchase a day pass from any station for $4.50 or $7.
You can purchase tickets ahead of time with the Transit Go Ticket app, which provides hands-free entry to the Link. Everyone 18 and under rides for free. Senior and disability fares are $1.
The Link closes at midnight.
King County Metro
The Metro has several bus stops within blocks of Lumen Field. Choose routes 21, 131, 132, 101, 150 or 1, depending on where you come from. Each will take you within walking distance of the venue.
Adult Metro fares are $2.75 for a single ride. Anyone 18 and under rides free, and senior fares are $1.
Sounder Train
The Sounder Train runs from Lakewood to Everett and offers a stop near the stadium, “just a football field away,” according to Lumen Field. The best exit for Lumen Field is at the King Street Station.
Adult fares are between $3.25 and $5.75, depending on the distance traveled. Day passes are available for double the one-way fare. All youth 18 and under ride free, and senior fares are $1.
Seattle Streetcar
The Seattle Streetcar’s First Hill Line goes between First Hill and Pioneer Square. Get off at the Jackson Street and Occidental Avenue stop. The streetcar closes at 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and at 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Passengers 18 and under ride for free, while adult fares are $2.25 for a single ride and $4.50 for a day pass. Senior rides are $1 for a single ride and $4 for a day pass.
Ferries
If you’re staying on one of Washington’s islands, you can take the ferry. Pier 52, or Colman Dock, is under a mile from Lumen Field.
Is Taylor-gating allowed?
Tailgating is prohibited at any Lumen Field event, and the arena has not stated otherwise for the Eras Tour. Therefore, Swifties will not be allowed to hang out outside the stadium for Taylor-gating while on Lumen Field property and parking lots.
What is Lumen Field’s bag policy?
Bags are allowed in Lumen Field, but to ensure the safety of those in attendance, the arena only allows clear bags or small purses and wallets. Here are the specifics on what Swifties will be allowed to bring inside:
Clear bags
Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC
No larger than 12-by-6-by-12 inches
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags or Ziploc bags
Clear backpacks within the above dimensions and no more than two pockets
Small clutches, purses and wallets that do not exceed 4.5-by-6.5 inches
Miscellaneous bags
Seat cushions that have no pockets, zippered compartments or extra straps.
Oversized bags stored inside an acceptable clear bag will be denied entrance.
Outside food entering the stadium must adhere to the clear bag policy and dimensions
Exceptions are made for medically necessary items, including diaper bags. Inspections for these bags can be found at the northeast, northwest and southwest VIP gates, the Club Entrance on the 5th level of the garage and the Suite Entrance on the 6th level.
What can I bring inside Lumen Field?
Lumen Field has an extensive list of prohibited and permitted items on the venue’s website. Here are some of the main items that are and aren’t allowed inside the stadium:
Permitted
Empty plastic bottles and factory-sealed water bottles
Portable phone chargers
Blankets
Personal still photography and digital cameras are allowed. Support tools such as tripods and professional lenses larger than 200 mm are prohibited. Camera cases are also not allowed.
Binoculars but no binocular case
Umbrellas
Prohibited
Alcohol and other outside beverages that are not water or soft-sided juice boxes
Battery-operated heated blankets, jackets and costumes
Cans and hard-sided bottles
Cases larger than 4.5-by-6.5 inches, such as for binoculars and tablets
Drones
Noisemakers such as air horns, whistles and cowbells.
If you have a bag or other prohibited items you can’t bring inside, on-site storage lockers are available for $10.
Concessions
Lumen Field is a cashless venue that only accepts cards or other contactless payment methods for concessions, retail and vendors.
The arena has 10 cash-to-card kiosks allowing visitors to convert cash onto a prepaid card that can be used anywhere within and outside the stadium at locations that accept credit cards.
Where and when can you buy merch?
Swift fans across the country have been eager to get their hands on merchandise as soon as possible — in several cases, merchandise trucks opened the day before Swift performed.
Currently, merchandise trucks will only open at Lumen Field on Saturday and Sunday at noon. Fans can start lining up for merchandise beginning at 8 a.m. The trucks will be located northwest and southwest corners of Lumen Field.
Although merchandise prices have yet to be determined for Seattle, these were the prices for Swift’s two performances in Kansas City two weeks ago:
Hoodies — $75
Crew Neck sweater — $65
Quarter-zip pullover — $65
Long-sleeve T-Shirt — $55
T-Shirts — $45
Tank — $40
Canvas tapestry — $35
Bracelet — $35
Show poster — $30
Tote bag — $30
Water bottle — $25
Glow baton — $15
This story was originally published July 20, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
