SEATTLE — Two major sports events took place in Seattle on Saturday. The Super Bowl-winning Seahawks held their Fan Fest, and the Mariners celebrated 50 years of Seattle baseball as the team hosted the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tens of thousands of fans attended both of those events, which took place virtually at the same time, right next to each other.
The sidewalks filled with streams of Seahawks fans with their sights set on Lumen Field, while the baseball faithful headed to T-Mobile Park.
For some fans, the choice between two beloved sports teams wasn’t so easy.
“Go ‘Hawks, go Mariners baby!” said Preston Erikson, who acknowledged it was impossible for him, his brother and their cousins to attend both. “No, we’re not. We wish.”
Fans of both teams acknowledged it was a fun problem to have. Seattle boasts a number of top-tier professional men’s and women’s sports teams, and it won rave reviews for its enthusiasm while hosting six World Cup matches.
“We are a great sports town. I just think- look across the street, you’ve got Mariners fans, you’ve got Seahawks fans. It just brings the whole city out. Everyone comes together,” said Tijera Loggins.
Trey Erikson told KIRO 7 that there’s something special about a sports town and the fans who support their teams.
“We’ve been in Seattle our whole lives and it’s just something where cultures come together, people come together. It’s something words can’t even describe. It’s emotional. It’s important, it’s impactful, and it’s powerful,” he said.
There is an economic impact as well. Local shops and restaurants say business increases every time there’s an event at Lumen or T-Mobile.
The economic impact of the World Cup alone here was predicted to be $850 million.
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