Husky Stadium may have the best setting in the sport: open at one end to Lake Washington, with the Cascades behind it and fans arriving by boat. If you live in UW housing in the U District, you get there on foot. Here’s a game-day plan from Theory U District, with a few notes for visiting families.
How does game day work from UW housing in the U District?
You walk across campus. The stadium is at the southeast corner, down by the water. From 15th Avenue NE, it’s a walk through the university, mostly downhill on the way there.
Theory U District is at 4759 15th Avenue NE. Check the Washington Athletics schedule for home dates. Then plan the day.
Earlier in the week
Sort out your ticket. Students sit in the Dawg Pack, and tickets are on your phone. Check the current process and make sure yours is loaded.
Tell your roommates if guests are coming. Ask the office about overnight guests and visitor parking. Parking in the U District is limited any day and worse on game day. Tell visitors to take light rail. There’s a stop right beside the stadium.
Autumn quarter is short. Look at what’s due Monday before you commit the whole Saturday.
What should you wear?
Purple, and a rain jacket. By late October, there’s a good chance of drizzle. A hooded waterproof shell goes over everything. Umbrellas usually aren’t allowed in the seats.
Layers underneath. It’s cool by the water and the wind comes off the lake. Bring a hat and something dry to sit on.
Waterproof shoes. You’ll be standing on wet concrete for hours.
The walk down
Go through the middle of campus. In October, the trees are turning, and on a clear day you can see Mount Rainier straight down Rainier Vista. If the mountain’s out, stop and look. Everyone does.
Tailgates fill the lots north of the stadium. Walk through them on your way.
What is sailgating?
It’s tailgating by boat. Fans tie up on the lake next to the stadium and walk in from the docks. Very few schools have anything like it.
Walk down to the water before kickoff and see it. Bring your phone. It’s the photo that makes friends at other schools jealous.
Inside the stadium
The roofs over the stands trap sound, and it gets very loud. The student section stands all game.
Read the bag policy before you leave home. Keep your phone charged and your ticket ready.
Look east at halftime. Lake, bridge and mountains. Even in the rain, it’s a view.
No ticket, or too much work?
Host a watch party. Your apartment is dry and warm. Put the game on, make something hot and let the friends who went come by afterward to dry off.
On the quarter system, I’d do this for at least one game. Midterms don’t care about kickoff.
After the game
Walk back up through campus with your group. It’s uphill and it’s the fastest way out. The light rail platform and the roads will be jammed for a while.
The Ave will be busy. Eat at home or go later. If you go out, stay together and take lit streets home.
What should parents know?
Know that a home game is a great reason to visit, and that you shouldn’t drive to it. Stay somewhere along the light rail line and ride to the stadium stop.
Dress the way your student tells you to. Waterproof on top, warm underneath, comfortable shoes.
Walk campus with them before the game. Then take them to dinner afterward, with a reservation. Ask the office about visitor parking if you plan to stop by the apartment.
What’s left this season?
Check the schedule for the remaining home dates and for the Apple Cup, the rivalry game with Washington State. Halloween is a Saturday this year, October 31. The clocks fall back the next morning, Sunday, November 1, and late-season games end in the dark.
November football in Seattle is wet and loud. Bring the good jacket.
If you’re deciding where to live next year, the floor plans page shows what’s available at Theory U District.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you walk to Husky Stadium from the U District?
Yes. The stadium is at the southeast corner of campus, a walk through the university from the U District.
How should visitors get to a Husky game?
Link light rail has a stop next to the stadium. Parking near campus is limited on game days.
Where is Theory U District?
Theory U District is at 4759 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105.
Key Takeaways
- Students in UW housing in the U District can walk to Husky Stadium.
- Wear a hooded rain jacket, layers and waterproof shoes.
- See the boats on the lake before kickoff.
- Tell visiting family to take light rail to the stadium stop.
