Affordable Seattle Sports Outings for Every Fan

kids watching a sounders game in Seattle as part of the free First Match on Us program

Photo:

Devon Hammer

Taking the whole family out to a game can be a great experience. But who wants to drop a lot of money on tickets, parking and concessions when you don’t even know if the kids will be able to sit through a whole game?

With that in mind, I’ve rounded up a bunch of family-friendly sporting events that are both affordable and kid-friendly. Take the family to a baseball stadium with a playground for getting out the wiggles, a soccer match where kids can sing and chant along with the crowd, rugby matches where you can meet the players and more.

Seattle Sounders

Yes, you can afford to see a Major League Soccer game! The Sounders just launched a program called First Match On Us. If you have never bought a ticket through the club’s system, you are eligible to sign up and get a maximum of two free tickets (and purchase up to four more) for select regular-season matches, along with a special welcome experience.

Be sure to go early and hit the Olympic Hall First Full 90 Experience area to get free Sounders scarves, sign the kids up for Sammy’s Squad, and pick up your copy of lyrics to the songs so you can join in singing during the match with the other fans. Before kickoff, there are a ton of kids activities, including face painting, poster making, soccer skeeball and a crossbar challenge.

ParentMap’s email marketing specialist, Devon Hammer, took her kids to a recent game through this program and said her kids loved playing soccer skeeball, watching the big flags waving in the crowd, and raising their scarves up high when the crowd chanted “Scarves up!”

Home venue: Lumen Field, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle
Ticket prices: Standard admission ticket prices vary by game, starting at around $20. Verified resale tickets are often available for less than the standard ticket prices. Children younger than 3 do not require a ticket (but must sit on an adult’s lap). You can get up to two free tickets for select matches through the First Match on Us program.

young girl playing soccer before a Sounders game as part of the First Match on Us program — Kids can practice their soccer skills before kickoff at a Sounders game. Photo: Devon Hammer

Seattle Storm

The 2025 season for the Seattle Storm, four-time WNBA champions, starts soon and offers families a great chance to see pro basketball. Not only are these players incredibly skilled, but the fast pace of basketball is sure to keep kids entertained. Storm games are known for being family-friendly with energetic crowds and interactive activities.

During halftime and timeouts, you might see the Seattle Storm Dance Troupe (girls ages 5–15) or the mascot, Doppler, performing. Check the schedule for theme nights, or show your Storm pride on regular nights by donning the team colors. If you can get there when the doors open, you can stand courtside and watch warmups until 30 minutes before tipoff. Kids will love seeing pros up close (and how tall they are)!

Home venue: Climate Pledge Arena, 334 First Ave. N., Seattle
Ticket prices: Ticket prices start at around $15, with verified resale tickets costing less than standard admission.

Ballard FC and Salmon Bay FC

For soccer fans, the Ballard FC semi-pro men’s team and the Salmon Bay FC women’s team are just the ticket. These matches are held at Interbay Stadium, which is smaller than most, allowing fans to get a close-up look at the action. The family-friendly beer garden means parents won’t have to take turns getting a drink. And since alcohol is only allowed inside the beer garden, the stands remain alcohol-free.

Restless kids can head to the Kids’ Zone with a parent for games and activities. Kids will light up when they meet the players and collect player signatures at the autograph booth, which is available after every game.

Home venue: Interbay Stadium, 3027 17th Ave. W., Seattle
Ticket prices: Ticket prices start at $14 for single-match games. Admission is free for ages 5 and younger.

kids meeting Ballard FC player during a game in Seattle — Meet the players after a game for a memorable experience. Photo: Blake Dahlin

Seattle Seawolves

Head over to Starfire Stadium in Tukwila to enjoy a professional rugby match. If you aren’t familiar with the sport, this game originated in 1823 when a soccer player picked up the ball with his hands and ran with it to the goal. Rugby teams consist of 15 players who run, pass and kick an oval-shaped ball to score points. The game is very physical and, unlike American football, helmets and pads aren’t worn.

Starfire Stadium offers a more intimate venue than other major league stadiums, so there isn’t a bad seat in the house. The Seawolves players are always happy to shake hands and pose for photos with fans, and Rucky the mascot loves to mingle in the crowd. Look out for their Run With the Pack youth clinics, during which kids learn rugby skills with the players.

Home venue: Starfire Stadium, 14800 Starfire Way, Tukwila
Ticket prices: Single-match ticket prices start at $20.

rugby players during a Seattle game, an exciting family outing — Catch a professional rugby game with the whole family. Photo: Connor Jalbert

Seattle Tempest and Seattle Cascades

“Ultimate,” a flying-disc game, is an exciting one for families to watch. The Seattle Tempest and Seattle Cascades are professional ultimate teams that play at Memorial Stadium. This noncontact sport pits teams of seven against one another on a football-sized field using a disc flung by hand. Players execute amazing throws and even fly horizontally through the air to catch the disc. The fast-moving game combines the field movement of soccer with the pace of basketball.

Kids will love the bouncy house in the Kid Zone and the mini games to keep them busy during halftime. Before each game you can register your kids (grades 1–12) for the free pre-game youth clinic which is taught by Tempest and Cascades players. All experience levels are welcome, whether your kid has been playing for years or has never touched a disc. Kids who participate in the clinic will get a free voucher for the game!

Home venue: Memorial Stadium, 401 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle
Ticket prices: Ticket prices start at $18 for adults and $6 for ages 10–19. Kids younger than 10 are free. There are special discount days for educators, first responders and health care workers.

ultimate players jumping toward a disc during a Seattle Cascades ultimate game, a family-friendly and affordable sports outing — Don’t miss out on the awesome throws in an ultimate game. Photo: Jonathan Red Photography

Tacoma Rainiers

The time-honored tradition of taking the family out to a baseball game is even better at Cheney Stadium. If it is your child’s first time visiting, stop by customer service near the home plate gates for a special certificate and other surprises. And sign up kids younger than 12 for the R City Kids Club, which includes complimentary tickets to three games and exclusive gifts.

Baseball games can be long for littles, so if they need to get the wiggles out, visit the Family Pavilion behind the grassy berm near first base to play Wiffle ball or climb the play structure. Sunday home games feature Smile Sundays with face painting, balloon animals and a photo booth to capture memories. There are fireworks every Friday night after the game.

Home venue: Cheney Stadium, 2502 S. Tyler St., Tacoma
Ticket prices: Single-game ticket prices vary by game, starting at $18. Kids younger than age 3 are free (sitting on an adult’s lap). Ticket prices are discounted with special deals, such as Chick-fil-A’s Bring the Herd, Farrelli's Pizza family four-pack, and BECU’s T-Town Tuesdays.

family holding baseballs at a Tacoma Rainiers baseball game, an affordable sports outing for families — Take them out to the ballgame. Photo: courtesy Tacoma Rainiers

Seattle Thunderbirds

The Thunderbirds are done for the season, but put hockey on your calendar next season for a thrilling family outing. The fast-paced game featuring young players — athletes in the Western Hockey League are ages 15–20 — makes junior hockey relatable for kids.

There is even a family-friendly section where no alcohol or swearing is allowed. The team mascot, Cool Bird, is often found in the stands taking photos with kids. During the game’s second period, they play music and fans dance to win a ride on the Zamboni. Local mom Jessi says, “The whole atmosphere is family friendly, from the lower-priced tickets and concessions to the clean, easily accessible family bathrooms. It feels like a community.”

(If you live up north and want to catch a junior hockey game, check out the Everett Silvertips. This Western Hockey League team is currently in the semi-finals.)

Home venue: Accesso ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St., Kent
Ticket prices: Single game tickets start at $20, and there are other discount days. Their famous Two for Tuesday deal includes two tickets for the price of one, plus discounted concessions. Kids younger than 3 are always free, sitting on a parent’s lap. Parking is free.

Tips for seeing the Seahawks, Kraken and Mariners for less

While you may discover a new favorite team this season, it’s still hard to resist Seattle’s iconic Seahawks, Kraken and Mariners teams. But how do you catch a game without breaking the bank?

The Seahawks offer value tickets each season. A limited number of seats are sold at the lowest average ticket price across the NFL, with seating in the upper level of Lumen Field. You can purchase a maximum of four tickets per game, perfect for bringing the family along!

The Kraken recently announced that they will be lowering ticket prices for next season, with discounts for any upper or lower bowl section not at club or ice level. They will also be offering family ticket bundles, which include four game tickets, four beverages, four hot dogs and a box of popcorn for a discounted prices.

The Mariners have value games throughout the season, where tickets are as low as $10.

For these teams, you can usually find cheaper tickets on websites such as SeatGeek and TickPick.