Possible Seahawks Schedule Changes Due to Mariners Playoffs
The possible participation of the Mariners in the American League Baseball playoffs could generate adjustments to the Seahawks’ schedule, affecting the schedules of at least one home game, and possibly two, according to official sources.
The Seahawks’ next two home games, on October 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and October 20 against the Houston Texans on “Monday Night Football”, coincide with potential Mariners playoff games.
The infrastructure of the area surrounding T-Mobile Park, home of the Mariners, and Lumen Field, home of the Seahawks, is not designed to host two simultaneous events. This could generate logistical problems, including chaotic traffic and overcrowding.
If the games in Seattle are scheduled at the same time, something that MLB must decide first, changes could be made to the Seahawks’ schedule.
MLB is expected to decide on Friday when the Mariners will begin their American League Division Series next Sunday in Seattle. That same day, the Seahawks are scheduled to host the Buccaneers at 1:05 p.m., local time. If the Mariners play at the same time, the Seahawks could delay the start of the game by 90 to 150 minutes, according to Seattle authorities.
There is a similar, though less likely, scenario on October 20, when Game 7 of the American League Championship Series was scheduled. The Seahawks will host the Texans at 7 p.m. local time in the second game of a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader.
If the Mariners were to host Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, the game would likely begin around 4:30 p.m. local time, with the Seahawks playing approximately 150 minutes later, according to city officials.
These scenarios are not common, but city teams and authorities have discussed and planned for them.
In October 2022, the Seahawks and Mariners were in danger of playing at the same time due to a potential Game 4 in the Mariners’ playoff series against the Houston Astros. That day, the Seahawks were scheduled to play at 1:05 p.m. against the Arizona Cardinals and were preparing to delay the start by 85 minutes, to 2:30 p.m. But the Mariners’ series didn’t last long enough and the conflict was avoided.
Now, there are two possible conflicts in a year in which the Mariners won their first division title since 2001, when the Seahawks still played in the AFC.
T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field are located in the city’s SoDo neighborhood. Lumen Field is a multi-purpose stadium that also hosts the Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer and the Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League.
