Nearly 70,000 Fans Flock to Seahawks Stadium For Two-Day Extravaganza; Public Fanfare Days Kick...

Sports Editors

SEATTLE--(BW SportsWire)--July 22, 2002

Seahawks Stadium opened its doors to the public for the first time this weekend, ushering in nearly 70,000 fans and a new era in Seattle sports.

Thousands of excited sports enthusiasts lined the streets outside

the stadium on Saturday and Sunday, excited to step inside and locate their season ticket seats, feel the FieldTurf(TM), and enjoy NFL Experience games. Fans also posed for pictures with Sea Gals, participated in skills clinics, learned tricks of the trade from Seahawks and Sounders players, and moved to the tunes of live, local bands.

The weekend's Public Fanfare Days marked the first opportunity for the public to explore the new stadium and visit areas usually off-limits during sporting events, including the visitor's locker room, executive suites, club restaurant and the press box.

"We couldn't have asked for a better weekend for our public opening," said Jeff Klein, general manager of Seahawks Stadium and Exhibition Center. "To see the stadium packed with smiling fans enjoying the stadium and the sunny Seattle weather was a thrilling experience."

Public Fanfare Days marked the beginning of three weeks of exciting Grand Opening events, including a Seattle Sounders game on July 28, a Seahawks Intra-squad Scrimmage and Project Family Appreciation Night on August 3, and stadium open houses held three hours prior to each Mariners home game through August 4. The Grand Opening celebration will culminate in the Seattle Seahawks' first pre-season game on Aug. 10. For tickets, call 1-888-NFL-HAWK.

About Seahawks Stadium

Seahawks Stadium is a world-class, premier sporting facility and home to the Seattle Seahawks. To learn more about the Seahawks Stadium and Exhibition Center and Grand Opening Events, visit http://www.seahawksstadium.com