Husky Stadium has been home to Washington Huskies football on the University of Washington campus in Seattle since it opened on November 27, 1920. It sits on a hillside at the edge of Lake Washington, and its open east end frames views of the water and the Cascade Mountains. That setting is why fans call it one of the best backdrops in college football.
The stadium is also loud. A crowd of 133.6 decibels was recorded against Nebraska in 1992, and that mark stood as the loudest ever measured at a college game until Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium hit 137 decibels in November 2023. This guide covers capacity, history, tickets, gates, the clear bag policy, parking, tailgating and light rail so you know what to expect on game day.
Quick Answer
Husky Stadium seats about 72,000 fans (the official UW Athletics facility page lists 72,132) at 3800 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle. Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, campus parking lots open six hours before kickoff, and the stadium enforces a clear bag policy (12″ x 6″ x 12″ maximum) with no re-entry. Light rail stops at UW Station, a short walk from the gates, and it is often the easiest way to get there.
Husky Stadium Capacity
Husky Stadium’s official listed capacity is 72,132, which makes it the largest stadium, college or professional, in the Pacific Northwest. You will still see older figures such as 70,083 or 70,138 online. Those come from earlier counts after the 2013 renovation, and the official number has since been revised. Capacity figures shift slightly as seating is reconfigured, so treat the number as approximate and check the official UW Athletics Husky Stadium page for the current figure.
The original 1920 stadium held about 30,000 people. Later expansions grew it well beyond that, and the 2013 rebuild reduced the total slightly by adding premium suites and club seating.
History of Husky Stadium
Husky Stadium opened on November 27, 1920, and was built into a natural hillside so that the east end could stay open toward Lake Washington. It was renovated in 1950 and 1987, and then largely rebuilt in a roughly $280 million project completed in 2013. Most of the stadium was demolished and replaced in that project, and only the northern upper deck was kept. The 2013 rebuild also added modern concourses, premium seating and better accessibility.
In recent years the stadium has changed in a few ways. The playing surface has been artificial turf since 2000 and was replaced again ahead of the 2026 season. Alaska Airlines held field naming rights from 2015 and the deal was not renewed in 2026, so the venue is now simply Husky Stadium while UW looks for a new sponsor. Washington also moved from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten, so opponents now include Big Ten teams.
Husky Stadium Gameday Guide (2026 Season)
Bag policy: Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a one-gallon clear resealable plastic bag, or a small clutch no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″. Medical and infant-care exceptions apply.
Gates: Open 90 minutes before kickoff, per the official UW football ticket FAQ.
Parking: Campus lots open six hours before kickoff. Most single-game public parking is paid by Pay-By-Phone, or by credit card with an attendant.
Tailgating: Allowed in campus lots, but never in travel lanes. Charcoal grills are allowed in lots but not in garages or under any structure.
Payments: Concessions are cashless (card only).
Re-entry: Not allowed.
These policies were checked against the official team and stadium pages in September 2026. Rules can change from game to game, so confirm on the official football ticket FAQ and the official 2026 Husky Stadium updates before you go.
Husky Stadium Bag Policy (2026)
Approved bags are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, one-gallon clear resealable plastic bags, and small clutch bags no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″. Every member of a party may carry an approved bag. Empty or factory-sealed plastic water bottles and thermoses are allowed, along with unopened soft-sided juice boxes and baby bottles.
Prohibited bags include purses, backpacks, binocular cases, camera cases, fanny packs, luggage, zippered seat cushions, any bag over the size limit and any bag that is not clear. Diaper bags are allowed only if they are clear and within the size limit.
The policy makes exceptions for medically necessary items and for guests caring for infants. Fans with medical items may enter at any gate and will get additional screening, and supervisors at each entrance will help. Guests caring for infants may carry extra supplies after inspection.
New for 2026, UW Athletics is using Evolv Express Gen2 screening systems, so you may be screened as you walk in. Walk through at a natural pace and keep personal items in your pockets and approved bags unless staff tell you otherwise.
Gates and Entry
Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Kickoff times change from game to game, so check the official page for the game you are attending. Allow extra time for security screening, especially for big games. Husky Stadium does not allow re-entry, so leave anything you will need after the game in your vehicle or seat area, or plan to stay put.
Parking at Husky Stadium
Campus parking lots open six hours before kickoff. General public single-game parking is sold first-come, first-served on game day, paid through the Pay-By-Phone app or by credit card with an attendant. The official Pay-By-Phone lots include the 4545 Garage, Central Plaza Garage (C1 to C6), N5, N12, N13, N14, N25, S3 Bottom Level, S2 Middle Level, W10, W12, W24/28, W29, W32, W33 and W46. Prices vary, so check the official parking page for current rates.
A limited number of single-game ADA and mobility-limited parking permits can be bought in advance through the Husky Ticket Office at tickets@uw.edu or (206) 543-2200. On game day, limited ADA passes are sold first-come, first-served at the E1 lot. A limited number of general public RV permits are also sold on game day. One pass covers one vehicle in one stall, and trailers are not permitted in the general parking area without a permit.
Light Rail and Getting There Without a Car
Sound Transit’s Link light rail stops at University of Washington Station, right next to the stadium. You can board at any of the downtown Seattle tunnel stations, and Link also connects with SeaTac Airport, Bellevue, Redmond and Lynnwood. Trains and platforms get crowded after games, so expect a wait to board on the way out. Several bus routes serve the U District, and you can also walk, bike or arrive by boat on Lake Washington. Streets around the stadium are congested on game days, which is why many fans skip parking entirely.
Tailgating Rules
Tailgating is not permitted in travel lanes, and no tents, chairs or other items may be placed there. Keep all tailgating items in front of or behind your vehicle without blocking other spaces, the drive lane or the emergency access lane. UW also strongly encourages you to break down tents, tables and chairs before heading into the stadium. Charcoal grills are allowed in parking lots but may not be used in garages or under any structure. Alcohol rules apply in the lots too, so review the official university policy before you go.
Tickets and Planning Your Visit
Single-game and season tickets for Washington football are sold through the Husky Ticket Office, online through the official UW Athletics football tickets page, by phone at (206) 543-2200 ext. 2 or by email at tickets@uw.edu. Prices vary by opponent, seat location and demand, with premium games such as rivalry and marquee Big Ten matchups usually costing the most. Tickets are typically released in batches through the summer, and resale marketplaces are an option for sold-out games, though prices there can be higher or lower than face value. Because prices, kickoff times and on-sale dates change every season, treat the official site as the source of truth.
Practical tips: arrive early for security and the lakeside atmosphere, bring only an approved clear bag, carry a card because concessions are cashless, and decide on your transport before game day. Light rail is the easiest option for most visitors.
Why Husky Stadium Is So Loud
The stadium’s bowl is steep and enclosed on most sides, and the roof over the grandstands helps trap sound. That design is a big part of why crowd noise reached 133.6 decibels against Nebraska in 1992, per ESPN, which stood as the college football record for over 30 years. Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium took the mark with 137 decibels against Georgia on November 18, 2023.
Keeps chili hot from the tailgate to the fourth quarter.
Team-color face paint in a twist-up stick — no brushes, no mess in the car.
Sized to the NFL's 12x6x12 clear-bag rule. Fits snacks, a jacket and a rally towel.
Husky Stadium game day guide FAQs
What is the capacity of Husky Stadium?
The official UW Athletics listing gives Husky Stadium a capacity of 72,132, though older sources cite about 70,000 from the 2013 renovation. It is the largest stadium in the Pacific Northwest.
Where is Husky Stadium located?
Husky Stadium is at 3800 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle, WA 98195, on the University of Washington campus next to Lake Washington.
What time do the gates open at Husky Stadium?
Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, per the official UW football ticket FAQ. Kickoff times vary, so check the time for your game.
What is the Husky Stadium bag policy?
Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″, one-gallon clear resealable bags and clutches up to 4.5″ x 6.5″ are allowed. Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not. Medical and infant-care exceptions apply.
Can I bring water into Husky Stadium?
Yes. Empty or factory-sealed plastic water bottles and thermoses are allowed, along with unopened soft-sided juice boxes and baby bottles.
Is there re-entry at Husky Stadium?
No. Once you leave, you cannot come back in, so leave items you will need in your vehicle.
When do the parking lots open, and how do I pay?
Campus lots open six hours before kickoff. Most single-game public parking is paid by Pay-By-Phone or by credit card with an attendant. Check the official parking page for current prices.
Can you take light rail to Husky Stadium?
Yes. Sound Transit Link light rail stops at University of Washington Station, a short walk from the stadium. Expect crowded trains and platforms after games.
Can you tailgate at Husky Stadium?
Yes, in campus lots, but not in travel lanes. Charcoal grills are allowed in lots but not in garages or under any structure.
Does Husky Stadium take cash?
Concessions at Husky Stadium are cashless, so bring a card or use mobile payment.
Was Husky Stadium the loudest college football stadium?
Its 133.6 decibel reading against Nebraska in 1992 was the college record for over three decades. Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium recorded 137 decibels in 2023.
Who owns naming rights to Husky Stadium’s field?
Alaska Airlines held the field naming rights from 2015, but the deal was not renewed in 2026. UW is seeking a new sponsor, so it is currently just Husky Stadium.
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