On 2/26 my wife and I attended our first Seattle Seawolves match at starfire in Tukwila, Washington. We absolutely enjoyed ourselves and plan to make it to one or two matches every year, we live in Corvallis, Oregon so it's a bit of a drive. Below is some pros and cons from our prospective and what I hope to see in the future as this team grows on and off the field. Please let it be known this is purely constructive criticism and in no way a bash to the amazing folks working hard every game and every season to make it special. Also I understand due to covid the last few years things I'm sure are not what everyone wants but hopefully as we move out of covid and into regular life once again we will see what things could be at 100%. If there is something you'd like to know about please leave a comment here or on social media and I'd gladly let you know.
Tickets: price for tickets is reasonable and if you are a family of 4 or 5 could easily budget for 2 to 3 games a season to attend depending on your personal finances.
Merchandise: again not overly pricey, pretty standard prices for what's being sold. Okay size selection for items to choose from
Views from seating: this time we sat on the east side bleachers under cover. I attend the usa vs Uruguay match a few years back and then me and my father sat more central on chair back seating. Sights where great, no obstruction and can fallow pretty easy.
In game experience: wasn't to bad. Tony Ridnell does a fantastic job when doing in stadium announcements. There was a first time attendy like me sitting behind us who said more then once they enjoyed the announcer along with others I've over heard also. Music was pretty good options also, but could use a bit longer playing periods. Rucky is fun and the kids around me where excited to see him. After game the ability to walk by professional players is awesome and to get a photo or autograph is just amazing and is very powerful in inspiring young athletes.
Cons
Merchandise: as much as I enjoyed the merchandise table I wish they had more then just one location. Be ready to stand in line for a bit. What would be great is if they had a smaller table inside the stadium with say two to three shirt designs and a sweater and ball options. That would at least help shorten the lines.
Food: only thing I would say with food is that it would be great if they can have at least one or two people walking around selling drinks and hot dog or pretzels. Again would help shorten the lines at the food trucks and concession window. And fans won't have to worry about missing the action from the field.
In game experience: Broccoli Guy is a great entertainer and I would like to see him utilize a bit more. Maybe have him help with a Sea-Wolves chant here and there or a Scrum! Call. Halftime entertainment needs to be a bit better and explained what's happening during the halftime entertainment also. There was a kicking competition that happened at the match I attended but it wasn't explained well. For the most part all was said was X person was going to try three conversation kicks from various locations and that was it. The contesten themselves seemed a bit loss where they where kicking these from also. I hope in the future starfire and the seawolves can invest in getting a better jumbotron. That would be extremely helpful in engaging with the fans during the game and in between plays.
Seating: I think starfire needs a bit of a face lift. I'd like to see the roof expanded out towards the field more and to the sides. That's great there is VIP seating but it's not much a vip seating if your getting rained on or left out to the other elements. Those sitting on the sides of the main stands also are left out to fend for themselves. Along with the roofing the chair back seats are not the most comfortable. If your tall and got a bit of a gut be ready to sit straight up and legs spread apart the entire game. I'd like to see those fixed some how. Lastly and I know this will take some heavy investment but I'd like to see the south side become more permanent seating with it also expanded and a covering on that side also with some suites.
Entering and exiting : There has to be another entrance and exit put somewhere. The bottleneck of fans with only one way in and out is frustrating. Hopefully on the south side a gate can be put in even if it's just one door it'll be better then nothing.
Now with all this said / written I want to make it clear. These are just my personal opinions and in no way shape or form will keep me from coming back to more seawolves matches or usa test matches held at starfire. For the success of the club not only does the team need to win but also accomplishing baby steps for the fan experience is key and I do believe there is great honest people in the front office doing what they can within what the team can finance to make it as enjoyable for everyone. In a perfect world these issues would all have been addressed already and everyone would walk away happy every game. I look forward to attending more matches and what the organization has going on behind the scenes for us fans as the years go by, as we pass year 5 and year 10 and year 20 weather it's at starfire or at seawolves on home stadium, The Tank? The pacific? The Sound ? Starfire I do believe is the perfect size for professional rugby give or take a few thousand seats added here and there but the overall sights and sounds is something special and there is no need to move to something big and overwhelming like the Seahawks home. If any move is to be done its to seawolves very own home field.
* this review also extends back to a few years ago when USA played Uruguay.
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