Seattle’s Memorial Stadium is entering its final demolition phase after nearly eight decades of hosting high school athletics and graduation ceremonies, clearing the site for a $150 million multipurpose venue scheduled to open by fall 2027.
Crews are dismantling grandstands at the Seattle Center location in what project leaders characterize as a fundamental transformation of the historic property. The demolition includes removing barriers that isolated the stadium from surrounding areas.
“The old building rose three or four stories tall, had lots of small concrete walls that had barbwire on the top of them,” said Rob Johnson, senior vice president of sustainability for the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena.
Removing walls has opened expansive views across the property. “You’re starting to see the armory, MoPOP. You’re certainly seeing the Space Needle,” said David Kunselman, director of planning and capital development at Seattle Center.
Construction crews are taking measures to honor the stadium’s origins as a World War II memorial. “Our community built this incredible Stadium in 1947 to honor the students who lost their lives in World War II,” Johnson said.
A memorial wall inscribed with names of more than 760 individuals who died in the war will be preserved and enhanced with a new plaza.
The replacement facility will continue hosting traditional events including high school football games and graduations while expanding programming options. “Smaller scale sports teams, professional rugby, Ultimate Frisbee,” Johnson said, listing potential uses. “365 days a year. We want this building to be a vibrant place.”
The new stadium represents Seattle Center’s ongoing transformation, following Climate Pledge Arena’s renovation and other facility updates designed to increase year-round activity and community access.
“As much as people love the old stadium and all the things that happened there, I think people now have a vision that exciting things are going to happen here again,” Kunselman said.
The $150 million project reflects Seattle’s investment in modernizing aging public sports infrastructure while maintaining connections to historic purposes. The original Memorial Stadium opened in 1947 specifically to commemorate Seattle-area students who died serving in World War II.
