UPDATE: The Seattle Mariners’ historic playoff run is creating urgent scheduling challenges for the Seattle Seahawks, potentially altering kickoff times for two upcoming home games. Officials have confirmed that both games—against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 5, 2023, and the Houston Texans on October 20, 2023—may be affected if the Mariners host playoff games on the same nights.
The proximity of the venues—T-Mobile Park, home to the Mariners, and Lumen Field, where the Seahawks play—poses serious logistical issues. The two stadiums are just 0.1 miles apart, creating potential chaos for traffic and crowd control if both teams play simultaneously.
Major League Baseball is expected to announce playoff schedules on Friday, which will dictate if adjustments must be made to the Seahawks’ game times. If the Mariners are indeed scheduled to play at the same time as the Seahawks’ match against the Buccaneers, the kickoff could be pushed back by 90 to 150 minutes, as Seattle officials have indicated.
In a less likely scenario, the Seahawks’ Monday night game on October 20 could also experience a shift. If the Mariners host Game 7 of the American League Championship Series at around 4:30 p.m. local time, the Seahawks’ kickoff could potentially be delayed to 9:30 p.m. local time. This game is part of a Monday Night Football doubleheader on ESPN, making the coordination even more complex.
Both teams are working closely with city officials to navigate these unprecedented circumstances. The Seahawks faced similar scheduling conflicts last October, narrowly avoiding a clash when the Mariners’ playoff series ended prematurely.
The Mariners are riding high after securing their first division title since 2001, heightening the stakes for both teams as they vie for fans’ attention. The excitement surrounding the Mariners’ successful season adds emotional weight to the potential scheduling dilemmas, underscoring the impact on local sports fans.
As the Mariners prepare for the playoffs, all eyes will be on the MLB’s scheduling decision on Friday. Fans and city officials alike are on edge, awaiting clarity on whether one of Seattle’s most thrilling sports periods will lead to further complications.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops and both teams continue to strategize around these critical games.
