T-Mobile Park - Seattle Mariners
- James Hilchen
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Photos by James Hilchen and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
T-Mobile Park 1250 First Ave S Seattle, WA 98134
Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 47,943
A Ballpark with a View in Seattle
Located in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood, T-Mobile Park (then Safeco Field) opened on July 15, 1999 on a day that saw the host Seattle Mariners lose 3-2 in 11 innings to the San Diego Padres. T-Mobile Park replaced the Kingdome which was home to the Mariners from their inception in 1977 through 1999.
T-Mobile Stadium broke ground on March 8, 1997 at an initial cost of $517 million. The stadium has had upgrades that have made the stadium a fantastic place to watch a game.
T-Mobile has also played host to the short-lived Seattle Bowl football game and a smattering of other sports. While baseball is its’ main attraction, the all-time attendance record came on March 30, 2003, when 54,097 fans came to watch Wrestlemania XIX.
Food & Beverage 5
It’s tough to imagine any major league ballpark topping the options served up here and frankly it would take a long time to list everything, so I’ll try and hit just a few of the highlights. The stadium is cashless so plan accordingly.
A unique option that seemed to sell well is the Godzilla Dog at the Sumo Dog stand. Located near section 190, this hot dog includes a footlong hot dog with chili, togarashi cheese sauce, wasabi relish, pickled peppers, spicy mayo, teriyaki sauce, furikake, minced onion, jalapeno, and nori. If that’s a little too complicated for your palate, head over to section 117 for Ivar’s halibut and chips. The fried halibut was very good.
Garlic fries are very popular here and can be found at a handful of stands around the ballpark. The convenience store-like Walk-Off Market is in a few sections around the ballpark. While there, I grabbed the Turn Two teriyaki bowl. I was not sure what to expect, but this was better than a lot of restaurants.
If time is not an issue, take the time to walk around the entire concession area. You are guaranteed to find something you want and not have to settle for just your average ballpark fare.
Coke is the soda of choice at the ballpark. You will also have your choice of both numerous local brews along with the popular brands both domestic and import.
Finally, the cost of concessions at major league parks seems to have risen quite a bit the past couple years. Here you can find a value meal where nothing is over $4.50. The value menu includes hot dogs, nachos, soda, and many types of candy and snacks. There is also a beer value menu that tops out at $8.
Atmosphere 4
The two main options for entering the stadium are in the left field corner and at home plate. If you enter at home plate, you are greeted outside the ballpark by a statue of Ken Griffey Jr. Upon entering, be sure to look up. There is an incredibly large chandelier made of bats. As you head up the stairs, you will enter the concourse which will take you around the entire ballpark.
Be sure and head down the third base line to section 135. Here you will find the Mariners Hall of Fame and the Baseball Museum of the Pacific Northwest.
Near the Mariners bullpen in center field is the T-Mobile ‘Pen. This area opens two hours before first pitch and is open on a first come, first served basis. Happy hour with some good deals begins when the area opens and stops one hour before first pitch.
On the third level, check out the Trident Deck for some great views of the sound.
The concourses are wide and generally easy to maneuver around. With the wealth of concession areas, all but the very busiest of concessions yield a very short wait. There are plenty of restrooms which is welcome as lines are rarely apparent.
Neighborhood 4
The location of the ballpark does not lend itself to having a lot of room for restaurants and bars in the area. However, there is so much to do in the area, it is still in a great spot. If you are a football fan, Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks is directly north of T-Mobile Park. This is a great opportunity to do a stadium tour and take in a ballgame the same day.
Just west of the park is Puget Sound. You can have a fun look around the harbor or hop on a ferry and head to one of the islands in the Sound or take a longer scenic ride and tour the area via ferry. About a mile and a half north, you can see the world-famous Pikes Place Market which is very close to the Seattle Aquarium.
Prior to the game, we stopped at the Derby Restaurant, about a mile south of the stadium on 6th Avenue. Located in an old auto repair shop, the Derby serves up some great burgers and many other options as well. Most of the restaurants are located north of the ballpark nearer the aquarium and Pikes.
Fans 4
The fans at T-Mobile celebrate their team. This is evident through all the Mariners gear they wear and the support they give the team and good-natured grief they give the other team. The team is average just over 30,000 fans/game in 2025.
Access 4
There are numerous parking options around the park. It’s probably best to reserve a spot in advance when there is a big game or on a Friday or Saturday night, but even then, you can probably find something within decent walking distance. The light rail is another good option to get to the park and is a cheaper option than parking near the ballpark. There is also an option of taking a ferry although it is a bit of a walk.
Once inside the ballpark, the concourses are wide and there are a good number of restrooms throughout. As such, you won’t miss a lot of the game when going to the restroom or to grab something to eat or drink.
Return on Investment 4
The Mariners have dynamic pricing so prices vary by game. They have certain value nights where you can get a ticket for $11, which is a great deal. Other games will run about $25 for the cheaper seats.
On the day I attended, parking was $30 in a parking garage and was a few hundred yards away. As you get a bit farther away, you can find it cheaper. Taking the light rail is also a much cheaper option.
Concessions are on the high side but it seems like that at every ballpark now. However, with the value menu here, you can find some good deals without breaking the bank.
Extras 3
An extra point goes to the amazing views you get from areas of the stadium. You can see some great views of the city and of Puget Sound. The best spots here are the Trident Deck and the Rooftop Boardwalk.
Another point goes to the team celebrating their former players. Whether it is statues or other promotional items around the park, players such as Ken Griffey Jr, Edgar Martinez, and Felix Hernandez are clearly still held in high esteem.
Final point is for the food scene here. The sheer number of options to go along with quality value options should be replicated around baseball.
Final Thoughts
Being on the west coast and not in California, Seattle can be an afterthought for some baseball fans. Between the great views, fabulous food, and a great ballpark, every baseball fan should make the trip to Seattle and T-Mobile Park. It is well worth the effort.
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Follow all of James' stadium journeys on X @stadiumjwriter. Email: james.hilchen@stadiumjourney.com
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