Seattle Reign FC has several celebrations and events planned leading up to and during their match on Sunday, August 25, against the North Carolina Courage. The game, which kicks off at 7 PM PT, will feature a jersey retirement ceremony for Megan Rapinoe, who spent her entire NWSL career with the Reign.
“I can’t wait to return to Lumen Field for this once-in-a-lifetime moment,” said Rapinoe in a team release. “It has been an honor to wear 15 throughout my career and represent a city that means so much to me. Seattle, this is a celebration of all that we’ve accomplished together.”
As of Thursday afternoon, the Reign had already sold nearly 15,000 tickets for the match, which is being branded as RISE for Rapinoe. The Reign and community partners are hosting several pre-match and halftime events to honor Rapinoe.
RISE-branded merchandise
The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a reversible RISE-branded bucket hat. Fans can also purchase limited-edition merchandise from the RISE Collection at all retail locations around Lumen Field.
🗣️ Y'all heard @laurelivory! Arrive early on Sunday to get your RISE bucket hat!!
— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) August 21, 2024
*While supplies last
TICKETS: https://t.co/zDlP6AaAkK pic.twitter.com/5TlCDmvopq
Google Pixel partnership
The Reign became the first NWSL club to enter into a specific partnership with Google Pixel. As the presenting partner for the match, Google Pixel will upgrade 26 fans to Tunnel Club Pitchside Seats to bring fans closer to the celebration of the club legend. Fans can submit photos of themselves recreating Rapinoe's pose to experience the Pitchside upgrade.
Vino FC tailgating party
Join Kelyn Rowe's Vino FC for a special tasting showcasing women in wine before heading to the Reign FC match for Megan Rapinoe's jersey retirement. Between 1-5 p.m. PT, head to Seattle Seafood Center at 717 S Michigan St. in Seattle to participate in the tailgating event. Tickets for the tailgate can be purchased in advance for $20 (they will increase at the door).
Show your game ticket to enter into a raffle for Reign prizes and some special bottles from Vino FC.
Pre-Match Ceremony and Events
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. PT, and pre-match events include live music at Muckleshoot Heritage Plaza. Food trucks from locally owned businesses will be on-site. At the Olympic Hall on the west side of the stadium, TOGETHXR will host a Megan Rapinoe-inspired photo station.
Fans should be seated by 6:28 p.m. PT to participate in a Rapinoe-themed and fan-involved celebration that starts with The Highlight Pro Skydiving Team, an elite all-female skydiving team focused on highlighting women’s rights initiatives, flying into Lumen Field with a RISE flag and streamers.
The ceremony will feature a "surprise guest speaker," an on-field appearance of Reign alumni and previous Starbucks Legends, a flag-raising moment with several 1985 U.S. Women’s National Team members, and the unveiling of a permanent LED display honoring Rapinoe.
The Residency, featuring Rainbow Jackson, Brihana Jua, Sania Lewis and Tah-Jae Shante, will perform the National Anthem.
Halftime Celebrations
At halftime, the festivities continue with a performance from The Brittany Davis Band and a special check presentation featuring the RAVE Foundation, Grammy Award-winning artist Brandi Carlile and her wife Catherine, and the Looking Out Foundation.
The Reign recently announced a new partnership between the RAVE Foundation and Looking Out Foundation, which was founded by Carlile, to support access and inclusion in soccer. Fans can donate to this alliance to Affirm LGBTQ+ Rights and expand access to soccer for all by texting LOF to 76278 or by visiting the RAVE Foundation donation page.
“We hope this will be the start of a powerful, long-term partnership between our three organizations,” said Catherine Carlile, the foundation's executive director. “Looking Out Foundation is committed to supporting and advocating for both global and local causes – and we couldn’t dream of two better organizations to be aligned with locally than Seattle Reign FC and RAVE Foundation."
New faces on the Reign
The Reign will be looking to make a statement in front of Rapinoe as the team tries to climb its way out of a poor start to the NWSL season. The match will mark the return of Olympians Jordyn Huitema and Quinn and potential club debuts of recent signings Ana-Maria Crnogorčević, Jaelin Howell, and Nérilia Mondésir. The club's two recent U-18 signings, Jordyn Bugg and Ainsley McCammon, could also make their regular-season debuts after featuring in the Summer Cup.
The match against the North Carolina Courage kicks off at 7 PM PT on Sunday and will air on ESPN2 and stream on ESPN+. Tickets are still available.
