Husky Stadium

Montlake Boulevard, Northeast Pacific Street and State Route 520 surround a constrained waterfront campus. Bridge work, medical-center traffic and football controls can change the normal approach, so check current UW and WSDOT notices before driving.

Driving & Parking

• Driving
  From I-5, use Northeast 45th Street, Northeast Pacific Street or SR 520 according to the assigned lot. From the Eastside, Montlake ramps may close or meter around major construction.
• Parking
  General public single-game spaces are sold first come, first served in designated campus garages and lots. Most require the PayByPhone app; Padelford and Portage Bay garages accept credit cards at entry.
• Parking
  Lots open six hours before kickoff. Download the app and record the location code before cellular demand increases.
• Parking
  Overnight football parking is prohibited. Any vehicle present early must have its credential scanned by 6:30 a.m. or risk towing.
• Parking
  E1 is the principal large public and accessible lot north of the stadium. Dawg Sled carts serve the North and South entrances, although guests with critical mobility needs should arrange accommodations rather than assume immediate cart availability.
• Parking
  A valid placard or plate is required for accessible spaces. Limited advance permits can be purchased through the Husky Ticket Office.
• Parking
  Tailgate footprints are marked with purple dots in some lots. Saving spaces and extending tents or chairs into travel lanes are prohibited.

Public Transit

• Sound Transit's 1 and 2 Lines stop at University of Washington station beside Husky Stadium. The 1 Line links Lynnwood, Downtown Seattle, SeaTac and Federal Way; the 2 Line connects Redmond, Bellevue, Downtown and the north corridor.
• Trains arrive every 8, 10 or 15 minutes depending on the period. Use an ORCA card, contactless payment or Transit GO ticket to avoid vending-machine lines.
• Link platforms become crowded immediately after games. Follow queuing controls and allow several trains to pass rather than rushing doors or escalators.
• Starting in 2026, the former South Kirkland, Eastgate and Redondo Heights football express buses no longer operate because expanded Link service reaches those travel markets.
• Contracted shuttles remain from selected park-and-ride lots, while King County Metro buses serve Montlake and the University District. Buy the correct football shuttle credential when required.
• Amtrak Cascades and regional buses reach Downtown Seattle, where riders transfer to Link. Service alerts matter for late night games.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Use the current UW passenger zone away from Montlake's bus staging lanes. The stadium address can place a driver on the wrong side of closures.
• A drop at U District station, University Village or west campus followed by a walk can avoid the immediate stadium grid.
• After games, walk north into the University District before requesting a car. Montlake Boulevard is reserved for buses, pedestrians and controlled outbound traffic.
• For Eastside travel, Link 2 Line is usually more reliable than rideshare through SR 520 congestion. For airport or downtown travel, use the 1 Line.

Washington's pregame has three distinct zones: land-based tailgates in E1 and campus lots, boats in Husky Harbor and official entertainment around the stadium. Build enough time to see the waterfront even if arriving by train.

Tailgating

• Lots open six hours before kickoff, and equipment must remain inside the marked footprint. Rear tent legs must sit in front of the vehicle's rear tires where purple-dot boundaries apply.
• Saving spaces is not allowed. Groups must arrive together if they want adjacent first-come parking.
• Grills must be attended and fully cooled before disposal. Keep generators, tents and chairs out of access routes, and follow burn restrictions during dry weather.
• Sailgating
  Boats with season or single-game moorage permits tie up in Husky Harbor. Permits require advance vessel registration and insurance; arrive slowly and follow harbor staff.
• Boats anchored offshore can hail a shuttle to the stadium dock. The inbound trip is free and the current outbound ticket is $6, with children under 12 free.
• Commercial experiences, including the Chinook's Dawg Boat, combine a cruise through the Montlake Cut with food, drinks and gameday programming. These are ticketed products, not public transit.
• The Zone
  The east practice field hosts food trucks, music, a live radio show, alcohol and meet-and-greets. A game ticket is required; it opens two hours before kickoff and closes at kickoff.
• Leaving The Zone counts under Husky Stadium's no-re-entry rule because it is inside the ticketed perimeter. Finish any outside sightseeing before scanning in.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• Duchess Tavern
  North of campus, this long-running Husky bar fills with purple-clad alumni for burgers, pub food and beer. It requires a walk or short ride to the stadium.
• Big Time Brewery
  The University Way brewpub serves house beer, pizza and sandwiches in a classic University District setting near U District station.
• Big Mario's Pizza
  A casual stop for New York-style slices on University Way, practical before walking through campus.
• Earl's on the Ave
  A student-oriented bar and grill with burgers, wings and televisions. Expect a younger crowd and ID checks.
• Saint Bread
  Near Portage Bay east of campus, this bakery and cafe offers pastries, sandwiches and waterfront-adjacent outdoor seating for an early game.
• Agua Verde Cafe
  Beside the Portage Bay waterfront, Agua Verde serves Mexican food with a view and connects naturally to a walk past the medical center to the stadium.

• Dawg Walk
  Two and a half hours before kickoff, the team arrives near Alaska Airlines Arena and follows the Rose Garden route past the Don James statue. The band, spirit squad, Dubs, Harry and Helmet Car lead the welcome.
• Sound the Siren
  A guest fires the vintage World War II air-raid siren before kickoff, and the band crew sounds it after Washington scores. The current siren has been part of the tradition since the 1970s.
• Husky Marching Band
  The band performs on the field and under the west roof, driving the spell-out, “Bow Down to Washington” and the score celebrations.
• “Bow Down to Washington”
  The fight song follows the team entrance and scores. Fans clap, point and sing the title line.
• The Wave
  Washington credits yell leader Robb Weller and the Husky Stadium crowd with originating the modern continuous stadium wave in 1981. It traditionally begins in the third quarter.
• Dubs and Harry the Husky
  Dubs, the live Alaskan Malamute, appears for photos and selected field moments, while costumed Harry works the student section and sideline.
• Husky Helmet Car
  The oversized helmet vehicle circles the field and carries guests during score celebrations, reinforcing Washington's playful gameday presentation.
• Purple Reign and rivalry themes
  Special games add purple-outs, giveaways and Apple Cup elements. Check the game-specific timeline for attire and arrival time.

• Lake Washington and Husky Harbor
  No other major college stadium has an active boat-moorage culture directly behind an end zone. The dock and anchored fleet define the east-side panorama.
• Cantilever roofs
  The enormous north and south steel roofs cover sideline decks without view-blocking columns and direct noise toward the field.
• Don James statue
  The northwest plaza statue honors the Hall of Fame coach who led Washington to six conference titles and the 1991 national championship.
• Husky Stadium Rose Garden
  The landscaped northwest approach provides the path for Dawg Walk and a quieter photo setting beside the athletics complex.
• Alaska Airlines Field naming
  The sponsorship applies to the playing field, not the stadium's historic name. Husky Stadium remains the venue identity.
• Off-Leash Deck
  The northwest open-air premium space overlooks the west end zone, lake and mountains, with included food and nonalcoholic beverages and alcohol for purchase.
• Waterfront Activities Center
  The building between the practice field and harbor supports recreation and gameday boat operations, emphasizing the campus-water relationship.

History & Notable Moments

• Husky Stadium opened November 27, 1920, when Dartmouth defeated Washington 28-7. Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company completed the original bowl in under six months.
• The original design by Bebb & Gould seated approximately 30,000 along the waterfront. Upper decks and roofs arrived through major expansions in 1950 and 1987.
• In 1981, a Husky crowd performed the stadium-wide Wave that became a global sports phenomenon.
• Washington completed a 22-game home winning streak from 1990 through 1992 during the program's national-title era.
• The 2001 Apple Cup ended with Washington defeating Washington State 26-14, one of many rivalry games shaped by wind, rain and a packed student section.
• The south upper deck and press box were demolished after the 2011 season, forcing Washington to play 2012 home games at the Seahawks' stadium.
• A $280.6 million reconstruction reopened in 2013 with new lower seating, premium areas, football operations, concourses and removal of the running track while preserving the roof silhouettes.
• A stadium-record 76,125 attended Washington's 1995 game against Army under a configuration larger than today's official 70,138 capacity.
• Washington's 36-33 win over Oregon in 2023 brought a national broadcast, field storm and a major step toward the College Football Playoff.

Husky Stadium has lower seating close to the field, covered sideline decks and open east and west ends. The north and south roofs shelter many seats from rain but not wind, while end-zone seats receive full exposure.

• South sideline
  Premium and donor inventory dominates the rebuilt side. Covered seats receive strong lake and mountain views looking east.
• North sideline
  The upper deck is steep, loud and generally protected from rain. High rows require stairs but show formations clearly.
• East end zone
  These seats face west toward the scoreboard and city, with Husky Harbor immediately behind. Morning sun and wind off the lake can matter.
• Dawg Pack
  The student section occupies lower west-end and adjacent seating. Students stand, chant and create intense noise beneath the siren and band.
• Visitor seating
  Visiting sections vary by game and are generally in upper or corner locations. Confirm the current map before buying resale tickets.
• Premium areas
  Club Husky, suites, patio suites, Touchdown Terrace and Off-Leash Deck offer distinct indoor, outdoor and food packages. An access pass may not include a game ticket.
• Accessibility
  Accessible platforms, elevators, restrooms and ticket exchanges are available. Elevators are opposite sections 106 and 129; gameday exchanges occur near sections 120–121.

Husky Stadium is cashless, with stands, markets and carts across the main and upper concourses. Washington uses local beverages and rotating Big Ten-themed items alongside stadium basics.

• Standard food includes hot dogs, sausages, burgers, chicken, pizza, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, candy, soda and water.
• Pacific Northwest offerings include local craft beer, cider, seafood-influenced items and regional vendors. Elysian Brewing and 2 Towns Cider are current stadium partners.
• Rotating carved sandwiches celebrate Big Ten opponents and regions, while premium patios can preorder complete meals.
• Beer and wine are sold throughout the stadium to guests 21 and older; some premium spaces add spirits. Outside alcohol is prohibited.
• Single-serving outside food, factory-sealed plastic water bottles, juice boxes and empty bottles or thermoses are permitted under Washington's carry-in rules.
• The Off-Leash Deck includes unlimited gameday food and nonalcoholic drinks; alcohol is sold separately. Other premium tickets have different inclusions.
• Buy early or away from halftime. The sideline concourses can become congested, and moving between levels is not always direct.

• One clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches is permitted, or one one-gallon clear plastic storage bag.
• One small clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches may accompany the clear bag, with or without a handle or strap.
• Medically necessary and infant-care items are exceptions after inspection. Contact guest services for unusual equipment.
• Backpacks, large purses, fanny packs, camera bags, binocular cases and other noncompliant containers are prohibited.
• Factory-sealed plastic water bottles, unopened soft-sided juice boxes, empty water bottles and thermoses, single-serving outside food, blankets and pocketless cushions are allowed.
• Strollers may enter but cannot be stored by the stadium. Weapons, outside alcohol, cans, glass, coolers, professional video gear and view-obstructing items are prohibited.
• Tap-and-Go mobile tickets cannot be screenshotted. Save tickets to the wallet, enter early and bring everything needed because there is no re-entry.