Can’t Afford a Seahawks Game? Try This Instead

We love our Hawks, but ticket prices are out of reach for many families. Even a Sounders game, while less expensive than a Seahawks game, can set you back well over $100 for four of the cheapest seats at the Clink.

But don’t give up on the excitement and spirit of watching live sports. You can still watch thrilling, competitive matches with your kids — without breaking the bank. Even better, you'll get a whole lot closer to the action. We’ve rounded up soccer, volleyball and football games for all you sports fans out there. These games are family-friendly, action-packed and inexpensive. You may even be able to snag front-row seats, and for the relatively low price of admission, the competition promises to be fierce.

1. Seattle Sounders FC 2

Commonly called S2, the Seattle Sounders FC 2 team is a developmental team for the Sounders and they play at Starfire Sports. This facility provides an up-close view of the game, where you could easily spot a player who may be called up to play with the first team any day.

Home venue: Starfire Sports, 14800 Starfire Way, Tukwila, WA 98188
Tickets prices: $13–$16; buy online or at the gate if tickets remain
Schedule: online 
Recommended game: Saturday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m.: The City of Tukwila is sponsoring the S2 Family Match with half-price tickets and family fun such as giant Jenga, bounce houses, corn hole games and more.

2. University of Washington women’s volleyball

The Huskies women’s volleyball team has been in the “sweet sixteen” for the last five years and is currently ranked third in the country for the upcoming season. UW is hoping to break into the top eight this year and go on to compete for the national title.

Home venue: Alaska Airlines Arena, 3870 Montlake Blvd. N.E., Seattle, WA 98105
Ticket prices: $5/youth, $10–$15/adult; buy online
Schedule: online
Recommended game: Wednesday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: When the Huskies meet the Oregon Ducks, it always makes for a good match-up. Oregon is also a contender in the conference.

3. Pacific Lutheran University men’s football

The PLU Lutes were picked to finish fourth in the league in a pre-season coaches’ poll. The team roster includes returning three Second Team All-NWC selections and four Honorable Mention All-NWC picks.

Home venue: Sparks Stadium (not the PLU campus) 601 7th Ave. S.W., Puyallup, WA
Ticket prices: $5/youth or senior, $10/adult, under age 5 free; buy at the box office one hour before game time
Recommended game: Saturday, Sept. 30, 1 p.m.: This game against in-town rival the University of Puget Sound is the "Battle of the South Sound."

4. Pacific Lutheran University women’s soccer

Pacific Lutheran had a banner 2016 season, winning the NWC title for the first time since 1992. They are also picked to repeat as champions in the coaches’ preseason poll.

Home venue: Pacific Lutheran University, 12180 Park Ave. S. Tacoma, WA 98447
Ticket prices: $3/student or senior, $5/adult, under age 5 free; buy at the box office one hour before game time
Schedule: online
Recommended game: Saturday, Sept. 16, noon: The Lutes play their first conference game against Pacific University.

5. Seattle University men’s soccer

The Redhawks entered their 2017 season with the longest active home winning streak in NCAA Division I history at 16 games. The team’s long-time coach, Peter Fewing, runs popular soccer camps around the region.

Home venue: Championship Field, 565 13th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
Ticket prices: $5/child or senior, $7/adult; buy online or at the gate
Schedule: online
Recommended game: Sunday, Sept. 24, 6 p.m.: The Redhawks take on cross-town rival the University of Washington.

6. Seattle Pacific University men’s soccer and women’s soccer

The Falcon men are hoping to return to the NCAA Division II playoffs this year after a one-year absence. They were picked to finish fifth in a preseason coaches’ poll. The women defeated Chico State in their home opener Aug. 31. The men’s and women’s teams sometimes play double headers where you can catch two times the action.

Home venue: Interbay Athletic Complex, 3027 17th Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98104
Ticket prices: $4/child or senior, $7/adult; buy tickets at the gate
Schedules: men's soccer schedule, women's soccer schedule
Recommended game: Saturday, Sept. 23: The women take on Northwest Nazarene at 4 p.m. followed by the men battling Western Washington University at 7 p.m.

7. Seattle Reign FC

Seattle’s women’s professional soccer team has just one home game left in its season, but it’s fan appreciation night where attendees can score a Hope Solo bobblehead if among the first 2,500 fans to enter the stadium.

Home venue: Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center, 401 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Ticket prices: $19 and up; buy tickets online
Recommended game: Sunday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. vs. Kansas City. It’s the final home game of the regular season and Fan Appreciation Night. 

8. High school football 

You don’t have to have a kid in high school to get caught up in the spirit and tradition of the Friday night lights. Here’s a sampling of great local games, but you can always check the website of the high school closest to you, find out the venue and time of a game, and turn up to cheer on the home team.

In Tacoma, watch as Stadium High School battles its rival Wilson High School on Friday, Oct. 13 in the Stadium Bowl (111 N E St, Tacoma, WA 98498), an impressive stadium built into a hillside overlooking Commencement Bay. Other great games to catch in Tacoma include Wilson High School vs. Lincoln High School on Friday, Sept. 29 at Lincoln Bowl Stadium (701 S. 37th Street, Tacoma, WA 98418) and Lincoln vs. Mount Tahoma at Mount Tahoma (4634 S. 74th St., Tacoma, WA 98409) on Friday, Oct. 6. Both games are at 7 p.m.

In Seattle, Franklin High School takes on Sammamish High School on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m., and Lakeside on Friday, Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. Both games will be held at Memorial Stadium (401 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109).

On the Eastside, football standout Skyline High School takes on Bothell’s North Creek High School on Friday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. and Woodinville High School on Friday, Oct. 20, also at 7 p.m. The game against Woodinville is Skyline’s homecoming game so expect a little extra ceremony and spirit.