Before you pack up your clear bags and head to Sunday's Seahawks home-opener against the Chicago Bears, be sure to digest these 10 new things worth knowing about Seattle's CenturyLink Field. A quick refresher of the stadium's gameday policies and fan code of conduct couldn't hurt, either. See you Sunday!
1. There's Free WiFi!
Chances are a lot of you have snapped a photo or shot a video at a sporting event or concert, tried to upload it to social media, and then proceed to sit and stare at your mobile device for several minutes as absolutely nothing happens. That's what you get when tens of thousands of people try to connect to limited wireless cell sites nearby. To hopefully help you combat that problem, CenturyLink Field is offering WiFi to 12s again for the 2015 season. The stadium has two networks that are free to join, 'CenturyLink Field WiFi' - open for all fans, and 'Verizon WiFi' - open to Verizon Wireless subscribers.
2. You Can Order Concessions From Your Seat
If you're lucky enough to be seated in the stadium's Delta Sky360 Club Level, you'll notice a new feature available in the Seahawks mobile app, which is available for download right here. From the main menu, scroll down to the 'Gameday at CenturyLink Field' section. There you'll find an option to 'Order Concessions' that will bring food or drinks directly to your Delta Sky360 Club Level seats. You can place an order as early as one hour prior to kickoff all the way through the end of the third quarter. Not sure what you want to eat or drink? Check out our CenturyLink Field concession guide right here. Pro tip: While you're in the Seahawks mobile app, check out the 'Live Video' section to unlock an in-stadium only feature that allows you to access unique camera angles of highlight plays as they happen on the field in front of you.
Delaware North unveils new food options at a tasting event at CenturyLink Field on Thursday. Items include…
3. There's Plenty of New Food
Speaking of food, there's plenty of new intriguing options for you to choose from. The Delaware North SportService team unveiled a revamped CenturyLink Field concession lineup earlier this week that includes delicious items like a tri-tip sandwich, grass-fed burger, and Uli's Famous Sausage dressed with grilled onions, BBQ sauce, and cream cheese - a Seattle favorite. For a complete look at what food and beverages CenturyLink Field has to offer, click here.
4. Touchdown City Has A Lot Going On
On Friday, we brought you a list of new things 12s can see at American Family Insurance Touchdown City, located just south of the stadium inside the CenturyLink Field Event Center. The area is free to enter and you don't even need a game ticket to attend. It features five new football-themed activities perfect for kids and competitive adults alike. To help celebrate the team's 40th anniversary, Touchdown City also offers 12s a look at the Legends Experience, a museum-like setup that walks fans through unique stories, artifacts, authentic gear, and highlights from the team's past.
5. The 12 Flag Raising Experience
Also located in Touchdown City, the new 12 Flag Raising Experience will make you feel like a Seahawks Legend. An actual flag pole sits in the center of a six-foot tall structure in front of a simulated view of CenturyLink Field from the stadium's new Toyota Fan Deck, where fans are invited to step into the role of a 12 Flag Raiser.
6. The Wall of Legends
As you make your way from Touchdown City to your seat at CenturyLink Field, you'll probably come across the Wall of Legends - with Legends being the NFL's new word for alumni. It's a permanent mural located on the main field plaza level that features a mix of Seahawks legends who have had a unique impact on the franchise. Twenty-eight players are featured in all, including some of Seattle's all-time greats like Walter Jones, Cortez Kennedy, Steve Largent, Shaun Alexander, Dave Krieg, and Jim Zorn.
7. The Spirit of 12 Wall
Some fans are probably already familiar with this wall, but thanks to American Family Insurance it received a face-lift of sorts to open 2015. Located in the stadium's West Plaza, the Spirit of 12 Wall now features a mural that brings fans and former 12 Flag Raisers together.
8. The Toyota Fan Deck
We mentioned it once above, but in case you missed the team's announcement this past offseason we'll rehash details of the new seating section at CenturyLink Field that was unveiled last month. One thousand new seats were added to the upper concourse in the south end zone, pushing the stadium's capacity to 68,000. Fans seated in the Toyota Fan Deck will enjoy an open-air viewing and gathering area complete with multiple televisions, eight-foot long fireplaces, and exclusive beverage and food options.
9. There's an Enhanced 12 Flag
The Toyota Fan Deck also includes an enhanced version of the 12 Flag raising tradition the team has incorporated in its pregame festivities since 2003. This season, the 12 Flag measures nearly three times larger than its predecessor and will fly high atop a new 12 Flag Pavilion.
10. If You're an American Express Card Member, You're in for a Treat
The Seahawks recently announced a partnership with American Express to amplify gameday excitement. Fans will receive a free way to hear live play-by-play commentary and game updates from the team's radio broadcast by utilizing American Express Gridiron Radio earpieces, available to American Express Card Members throughout the season at home. You can pick up your Gridiron radios at CenturyLink Field Guest Link locations, where they'll be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Pro tip: Hit up 'Section 12' before the game starts, a pregame experience hosted by American Express at Occidental Square, located a few blocks north of CenturyLink Field. The first 'Section 12' experience starts at 9 a.m. PT this Sunday and is open to all fans on a first-come, first-served basis. Card Members will enjoy special access at the experience with benefits like complimentary snacks, giveaways, and meet and greets with former Seahawks players.
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