Seahawks Strive to Reclaim Legendary Home-Field Advantage

In a bid to restore the Seattle Seahawks’ famed home-field advantage, significant changes have occurred at the team’s headquarters. This offseason, the Seahawk’s meeting room received a visual upgrade featuring large images of Lumen Field, creating an immersive atmosphere for players during team discussions.
Striving for A Comeback
Legendary cornerback Richard Sherman, who played for the Seahawks from 2011 to 2017, was invited to speak to his former team in a remodeled room during training camp. His message was clear: the players must energize the fans rather than rely on the crowd to generate excitement. This notion underscores a broader organizational effort focusing on reclaiming their once-dominant home-field performance.
In the past, the Seahawks’ home games thrived on the enthusiasm of their fans, widely known as the “12s.” Their support created an intimidating environment for opposing teams at the 69,000-seat stadium. However, this fervor has diminished in recent years. The organization’s goal is to reignite that energy, particularly after witnessing a resurgence of visiting fans during games.
Recent Home Performance
The Seahawks currently own a poor 4-8 home record since hiring head coach Mike Macdonald. This dismal performance includes a significant win against the New Orleans Saints and a narrow defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this month. In contrast, the team has excelled on the road, with a record of 10-1 since the start of the 2024 season, the best in the NFL.
Fan Dynamics at Lumen Field
- In the current season, an estimated 7,000 San Francisco 49ers fans were present during the Seahawks’ home opener.
- Seattle’s home win percentage has significantly dropped to .333, ranking tied for 25th in the league since the onset of last season.
- The team has allowed an average of 1.5 false starts per game at home since 2021, a statistic generally indicative of a strong home-field advantage.
Team officials, including general manager John Schneider, expressed concern over the rising presence of opposing fans at home games. They highlighted the necessity of limiting ticket resale practices that allow rival supporters to attend games in large numbers.
Historical Context
Historically, Seahawks fans have been an essential factor in game outcomes. In 2005, during a home game against the New York Giants, Seattle set the record for false start penalties committed by a visiting team. The legendary atmosphere was further solidified when the team advanced to Super Bowl XL in 2013, propelled by their deafening home support.
The franchise retired the No. 12 jersey in recognition of its fans in 1984, celebrating their crucial role during both the Kingdome era and the current home, Lumen Field, which has seen record-breaking crowd noise levels.
Future Goals
Looking ahead, Macdonald acknowledged the critical need to improve home performances. The team is determined to foster an environment that compels fans to return in numbers, ultimately making Lumen Field a challenging venue for opponents once again. Maintaining a consistent winning record is seen as essential to achieving this goal.
“We’ve got to win, period,” Macdonald stated, emphasizing the interrelation between team success and fan attendance. The Seahawks remain committed to these efforts, looking to reclaim their historic home-field advantage.