Memorial Stadium Project

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Memorial Stadium Partners

The much-anticipated Memorial Stadium replacement project is now under way, with construction beginning in summer 2025 and completion by the end of 2027.

This exciting project – operated under a not-for-profit model managed through a partnership between Seattle Public Schools (SPS), City of Seattle (City) and One Roof Stadium Partnership (a consortium of Seattle Kraken, One Roof Foundation, and Climate Pledge Arena) – will create a state-of-the-art multi-purpose stadium for student athletics, education, arts, culture, entertainment, and community events. It will be seamlessly integrated with the Seattle Center campus, and will continue to inspire students, the community, and the region for generations to come. View current project design renderings and flyover video .

Construction Updates: Stay up to date on construction of the new stadium – including project updates and neighborhood impacts – on our regularly updated construction web page.

A Reimagined, Student-centered Facility

In addition to an improved athletic field, the shared vision for this dynamic new state-of-the-art stadium will center on students with performing arts, commencement ceremonies, and social and educational opportunities, as well as provide a welcoming year-round hub for community events. The new stadium will be a win for students, Seattle Center, and for the community.

The stadium will also be operated as a sustainable not-for-profit venture, rather than a commercial enterprise. This unique approach best reflects community and will benefit young people across the region through collaborations with groups such as King County Play Equity Coalition and its youth-focused constituents to design and implement programming to ensure youth can experience sport and play in the new stadium on non-SPS/City-designated days. To support this, One Roof Stadium Partnership pledged as part of its RFP response to donate $100,000 annually to support youth access programming at the new stadium for five years commencing with the first operating year.

In addition, the partners will be exploring opportunities for SPS students to deepen the relationship with Seattle Center’s resident arts, cultural, and sports organizations – such as career and technical training and access to skilled professionals on the ground.

A reimagined Memorial Stadium will also play host to large civic events – including concerts, community festivals, and professional sports. It will be truly integrated within Seattle Center featuring new programmable public space and open sightlines into the heart of the campus, linking the stadium with International Fountain like never before, working toward the goals of Seattle Center’s Century 21 Master Plan.

The project also preserves Memorial Wall – honoring local high school students and alumni who lost their lives in World War II – which the Seattle Landmark Preservation Board designated as a landmark, elevating its place of honor at the new stadium.

For additional information, read our FAQs.

A Legacy Investment

Extraordinary projects like this are the result of collective resources, knowledge, and passion. With an unprecedented $110 million in public funding and a capital campaign generating approximately $30 million in community support, this legacy investment will serve the needs of future generations of SPS students and maximize its use for the community in new and exciting ways in the heart of the city.

The anticipated cost of the new facility is $130-$150 million, with final cost-estimates currently in development. Funding for the new stadium comes from the voter-approved 2022 SPS Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics Capital Levy (BTA V) and other capital resources, which provides $69.3 million toward the total cost. The project is also supported by significant public investment including nearly $4 million in state funding, $40 million from the City, and approximately $30 million in philanthropic support from Seattle-based businesses and community foundations including Amazon, WaFd Bank, Gates Foundation, Schultz Family Foundation, Grousemont Foundation, Norcliffe Foundation, Walker Family Fund, and W. Razore Family Foundation as well as local philanthropists Steve and Connie Ballmer, the Brotman Family, Glen and Allison Milliman, and Mary Pigott.

Community Engagement

Widespread community outreach led by the Seattle Center Foundation was initiated in 2021 to build support for a new Memorial Stadium and for the SPS BTA levy. In the years since, outreach has continued to expand with student and cultural groups, Seattle Center staff and resident organizations, tribal representatives, veterans’ groups, dozens of community-based organizations, as well as with students and the public via community open house events. The equitable and inclusive process, guided by best practices used in other successful civic and school projects, is based on strong commitments to racial equity, inclusion, and access.

See our List of Recent Community Presentations.

Project Timeline

2017

- Partnership agreement between SPS and the City to collaboratively partner on a Memorial Stadium replacement and coordinate development of the SPS property with Seattle Center.

2021

- Letter of Intent, signed by SPS and the City, outlines the shared goal of replacing Memorial Stadium with a more visionary, multi-use facility.

2022

- Memorandum of Agreement between SPS and the City to continue longstanding Memorial Stadium partnership with SPS retaining ownership and priority use for student events, while maximizing use of the facility through community activities.

- Seattle voters approve SPS’ Buildings, Technology and Academics/Athletics V Capital Levy (BTA V), which includes $66.5 million for the Memorial Stadium project.

- Seattle City Council approves $21 million in Memorial Stadium project funding.

2023

- SPS and the City issue RFP for a private partner for the Memorial Stadium project.

- Seattle City Council approves an additional $19 million in Memorial Stadium project funding in the City capital plan.

- One Roof Stadium Partnership announced as potential private partner to construct, operate, and manage a new Memorial Stadium.

- Washington state legislature approves $4 million in capital budget to support Memorial Stadium project.

- Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board designates landmark status to Memorial Wall, preserving and elevating its place of honor as part of the new stadium.

2024

- SPS, the City, and One Roof Stadium Partnership align on key project terms to guide formal agreements for consideration and final approval by Seattle School Board and Seattle City Council.

2025

- Memorial Stadium redevelopment project reaches $30 million in philanthropic support from Seattle-based businesses, community foundations and local philanthropists.

- Seattle School Board and Seattle City Council unanimously approve the project's development agreement.

- Lights Out... For Now: Community Open House & Preview Event is hosted for the community to visit the stadium for a fond farewell prior to construction.

- A ceremonial groundbreaking and ground blessing event is held to kick-off construction of the new stadium.

About Memorial Stadium

SPS’ Memorial Stadium is the successor to Civic Field, built in 1927 as part of the City’s Civic Complex. In 1946, the City deeded the land to SPS to build, operate and maintain a new athletic field. Voters approved a school levy and bonds (issued in 1942 and 1944) to provide funding for the improvement of school buildings and the construction of today’s Memorial Stadium, which was completed in 1947.

The stadium was selected as the site for a war memorial by a group of community leaders, appointed by Seattle Mayor William Devin following World War II, to pay tribute to the nearly 800 SPS alumni who lost their lives in the war. The Memorial Wall was designed by Garfield High School student Marianne Hanson, with revenues from Thanksgiving Day football games played in the stadium from 1947-49 funding the construction and installation.

Throughout its history, Memorial Stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies for the Seattle World’s Fair, tens of thousands of concerts and community events, and numerous school events each year attracting hundreds of thousands of students and community members.

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