The Seattle Seahawks have one of the longest waiting lists for season tickets in the NFL. As of October 2023, there are over 30,000 people on the waiting list hoping to become Seattle Seahawks season ticket holders.
Background on Seahawks Season Tickets
The Seahawks have sold out every home game since their inaugural season in 1976 when they were an expansion team. Even during lean years in the 1990s when the team struggled, fans still packed the Kingdome and later CenturyLink Field once it opened in 2002.
Demand for Seahawks season tickets has always been high but reached new levels after the team’s Super Bowl victory in 2014. The success of the Seahawks under coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Russell Wilson has turned them into one of the hottest tickets in the NFL.
Interest in season tickets increased even more with the opening of the new Climate Pledge Arena in 2021. The stadium offers premium amenities for fans and has further boosted demand.
The Seahawks currently have about 60,000 seats at Climate Pledge Arena. They sell around 50,000 season tickets per year with the rest going to group and single-game ticket sales.
Estimating the Wait for New Season Ticket Holders
The Seahawks do not publicly release details on the exact size of the season ticket waiting list. However, based on various reports and comments from team officials, some estimates can be made.
In 2016, a Seahawks representative said the season ticket waiting list was around 20,000 names long. In 2019, that number was estimated to have grown to around 25,000.
Given the continued surge in demand after the Super Bowl season and new stadium, it’s likely the list has now swelled to over 30,000 names. Some unofficial reports estimate the true number could be close to 50,000.
With only around 10,000 new season tickets becoming available each year from people not renewing, it would take 3-5 years to clear the current waiting list at a minimum. And with new fans signing up daily, the wait could stretch even longer.
Factors That Impact Wait Time
There are several factors that impact how long someone will have to wait before reaching the top of the season ticket waiting list:
- When you join – the earlier you get on the list, the shorter your wait will be
- Type of seats requested – premium club seats and lower bowl take longer
- Number of seats – requests for multiple seats together take longer
- Rate of renewal – wait shrinks if fewer existing STHs renew
- Team performance – a losing season can reduce renewals and shorten the wait
As a general estimate, most fans joining the waiting list today are looking at a 3-10 year wait depending on seat location. Getting lower bowl 50 yard line tickets could take 10+ years unless you joined the list years ago.
Strategies for Reducing Your Wait Time
Here are some strategies Seahawks fans can use to try to shorten the wait time for season tickets:
Be Flexible on Seat Location
Opting for upper bowl or end zone seats instead of lower bowl midfield seats can drastically reduce your wait. There is also more turnover in some upper sections allowing you to jump ahead.
Request Only 2 Seats
Trying to get large blocks of season tickets together adds to your wait. Limiting your request to just 2 seats speeds up the process.
Join a Season Ticket Group
Joining with friends or other fans to form a season ticket group can help you pool your priority and get access sooner.
Purchase Season Tickets Secondhand
Current season ticket holders are allowed to sell the license for their seats. Purchasing from a current STH allows you to bypass the waiting list but often at a premium price.
The Cost of Seattle Seahawks Season Tickets
Once your name does come up for season tickets, be prepared to pay a hefty price. Seattle Seahawks season tickets are among the most expensive in the NFL.
Here are the 2023 season ticket costs by section:
| Section | Average Price Per Seat |
|---|---|
| Lower Bowl Sideline | $1,700 |
| Lower Bowl End Zone | $1,100 |
| Upper Bowl Sideline | $850 |
| Upper Bowl End Zone | $725 |
| Suite (4 seats) | $29,500 |
Season ticket holders are also required to purchase preseason tickets at full price. When you factor in preseason, the total cost for lower bowl season tickets can approach $2,500 per seat.
Personal Seat Licenses
In addition to the base season ticket price, most seats in the stadium require a one-time personal seat license (PSL) fee. This currently ranges from $0 on the upper sections to $7,500 on lower bowl prime midfield seats.
Alternative Options for Seahawks Fans
Given the multi-year wait and high cost, Seattle Seahawks season tickets are out of reach for many fans. Here are some alternative options to consider:
Purchase Single-Game or Group Tickets
Single-game and group tickets are released during presales and to the public throughout each season. Prices vary per game based on demand.
Look Into Buying a Charter Seat License
The Seahawks Charter Seat License program offers season ticket access without the long waiting list, but requires a large upfront investment of $30,000 per seat.
Explore Game Packages
The team offers multi-game packages like the 5-game Flex Plan that offer tickets to marquee games without buying full seasons.
Join the Blue Pride Wait List
The Blue Pride program provides early access to purchase playoff and Super Bowl tickets for a $100 annual fee. There is also priority for season ticket waiting list status.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that getting Seattle Seahawks season tickets requires patience or deep pockets. The team’s run of success on the field has built a season ticket waiting list numbering in the tens of thousands.
New fans signing up today face a multi-year wait just to have the chance to purchase season tickets. And when their time finally comes, they should be prepared for prices over $1,000 per game in even the cheapest upper deck sections.
The costs and limited supply make Seahawks season tickets elusive. But the team offers alternative ticket plans and ideas for determined fans who want access to see Russell Wilson and the Seahawks live at Climate Pledge Arena.