Where would be the best spot for an NHL Seattle outdoor hockey event?
Over the weekend, the NHL held one of its more popular annual events with the 2020 Stadium Series played at the Air Force Academy. The Colorado Avalanche took on the Los Angeles Kings at Falcon Stadium. Much like the previous outdoor events from the NHL, it was an amazing visual spectacle that made the game secondary. Yet, there were a ton of drawbacks to what happened with the game.
A stadium that isn’t designed to hold an event on THAT scale had various flaws exposed. From parking issues to lack of food options, the NHL dropped the ball and probably won’t be headed back to the Air Force Academy any time soon.
As a fan of the NHL, and especially its outdoor events, I have become curious about what an NHL Winter Classic or Stadium Series would look like for Seattle. So, come with me into the future. Say about 2024?
You’ve got three legit options here. CenturyLink, T-Mobile, and Husky Stadium. Those are all better options than what the NHL has done in the past, especially this past week in Colorado.
T-Mobile Park
Seating Capacity: 47,943
Let’s get the worst option out of the way first. Baseball stadiums have been part of the Winter Classic and Stadium Series, but T-Mobile Park isn’t exactly the most aesthetically pleasing of stadiums.
Sorry, Mariners fans.
T-Mobile Park just doesn’t have the history of a Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park or even Wrigley Field. Hey, come watch hockey outdoors in a place that hasn’t seen much success in multiple decades. Also, the seating capacity may be in the 30,000-40,000 range for the event. People will come, but the bigger the crowd, the better the look.
CenturyLink Field
Seating Capacity: 72,000
One of two ideal spots for NHL Seattle’s outdoor event. A true outdoor stadium known for its iconic features and massive crowd numbers, it all adds up to a fantastic visual. Downtown Seattle in the background with a Seattle vs. Vancouver showdown on the ice taking place on New Year’s Day or even in mid-February.
This game could more than likely be pushed to the early part of the year since the Seahawks are still in action. However, if Seattle hosted a Winter Classic, there’s another 70,000 seat stadium that would be just as great.
Husky Stadium
Seating Capacity: 70,083
“The Greatest setting in college football” welcoming one of the biggest NHL events to start the year? The tickets sell themselves. A cloudy day, more than likely with Lake Washington nearby. Hopefully, with some winter weather involved.
Frankly, the Winter Classics have a better look in college football stadiums like Michigan and Notre Dame when you compare them to even some of the MLB buildings. If CenturyLink is not available, imagine starting off your new year watching the Winter Classic, then heading home to watch the Huskies in the Rose Bowl.
You’re welcome.
This story was originally published February 19, 2020 at 5:11 AM.
