Lumen Field Set to Host U.S. Women’s National Team in April of 2026
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - For the first time since 2017, the U.S. Women’s National Team will make a return to Seattle as they’ll face long-time rival Japan on Tuesday, April 14th at Lumen Field during the April FIFA Window. With their return to the Emerald City for the first time in nearly a decade, the USWNT will be playing on the natural grass that’s being installed as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, representing a major milestone for women’s soccer here in the Pacific Northwest. Although there’s plenty of time to wait until the next Women’s World Cup bidding process, as 2027’s games will be held in South America, an event like this certainly seems like a trial run if North America wins the bid to host the 2031 games.
Seattle Reign FC goalkeeper Claudia Dickey throughout the 2025 NWSL season at Lumen Field. (Photos by Liz Wolter for Circling Seattle Sports)
This USWNT match at Lumen Field will be available as an opt-in benefit for current Reign FC Members and automatically included with all new Reign FC Memberships, as the Reign look to continue delivering “unmatched access and value” for their members. For non-Members, the club is offering a special ticket bundle that will go on sale beginning January 29 at 10:00 a.m. PT and includes the USWNT match on April 14 and Reign FC’s match against defending NWSL Champion Gotham FC on May 15 at Lumen Field. Fans interested in becoming Members or purchasing the ticket bundle can find more information at ReignFC.com/Tickets. This benefit for members appears to be one of the things that was mentioned in the press conference the Reign held following their schedule being announced.
“Our club is proud to partner with U.S. Soccer to bring the U.S. Women’s National Team back to Seattle for the first time in nearly a decade. Seattle is ready to host the world’s best, and this match marks the beginning of an exciting moment for our club, our players and women’s soccer in our city. Most importantly, our players are part of the next generation of USWNT talent, and having the opportunity to compete on their home pitch is incredibly meaningful for them. We’ve worked closely with U.S. Soccer to ensure our Members receive exclusive access to this match. Seattle is a global soccer city, and our fans consistently create a true home-field advantage for U.S. Soccer at Lumen Field. I’m excited to be there with our Reign FC family to watch the world’s best players, including our hometown stars, on a global stage this April.”
Seattle’s ability to host the USWNT on a World Cup-ready surface further reflects the city’s standing as one of the premier soccer markets in the country for elite competition at both the club and international levels, continuing to showcase the Emerald City as a potential option to host matches if North America wins that aforementioned bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup.
Seattle Reign FC midfielder Sam Meza throughout the course of the 2025 NWSL season at Lumen Field. (Photos by Sam Hotaling for Circling Seattle Sports)
This news is especially exciting at this time, considering that the Reign are among the NWSL leaders in the USWNT January camp selections following call-ups for defender Jordyn Bugg, forward Maddie Dahlien, goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, and midfielders Sally Menti and Sam Meza. Seattle continues its presence and legacy in the USWNT player pool, including three returning players and two first-time call-ups, reinforcing the club’s role in developing and supporting the next generation of national team talent.
This match on April 14th is part of a three-game series between the United States and Japan taking place across Washington, California, and Colorado during the April FIFA window, renewing one of international soccer’s most storied rivalries. Japan enters the series as one of the world’s top-ranked teams, adding further significance to the USWNT’s return to Seattle.
Seattle Reign FC forward Maddie Dahlien throughout the 2025 NWSL season at Lumen Field. (Photos by Sam Hotaling for Circling Seattle Sports)
Seattle has long been a foundational market for women’s soccer in the United States, with deep ties to the U.S. Women’s National Team spanning decades. Many early national team players had roots in Washington state, including members of the iconic 1985 USWNT, a legacy the club honored last season during the Queen’s Match celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 85ers. The return of the USWNT to Seattle continues that tradition, linking the city’s historic influence on the women’s game with its ongoing role in shaping the next generation of players and fans.
This announcement also adds to the wave of success that the city of Seattle’s women’s sports teams are seeing, as the Seattle Torrent (One of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s new expansion teams) continues to thrive with their attendance numbers in their inaugural season, the Seattle Storm reached the playoffs once again last year and have seen a record number of season ticket sales ahead of the 2026 campaign, and the University of Washington’s women’s programs have seen success across the board amongst other teams that call the area home.
What’s next?
Earlier this week, the Seattle Reign opened up their 2026 preseason at Starfire Sports Complex and will travel to Indio, California, in February for its second consecutive year participating in the Coachella Valley Invitational. The club will kick off the 2026 NWSL regular season on the road against the Orlando Pride on Sunday, March 15 (1:00 p.m. PT / Victory+), the first of two road matches to open the year. Read more about the club playing three matches in Spokane after those road games by clicking here.
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Check out our previous Seattle Reign FC articles here.
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