Five reasons to attend the Sounders Home Opener vs. the Colorado Rapids

The Seattle Sounders are just days away from kicking off their 2026 MLS regular season campaign.

On Sunday, Feb. 22, the Rave Green will host the Colorado Rapids in the club’s Home Opener at Lumen Field (6:15 p.m. PT; Watch on FS1, Apple TV, SiriusXM FC 157, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS). 

Whether it be the competitive atmosphere displayed on the pitch, or the liveliness from the fans in the stands, this weekend’s match is bound to be electric.

Here are five reasons to attend:

Successful preseason

After nearly two months of preseason preparations, the Sounders are more than ready to take the 2026 season by storm.

Following the team’s training session on Wednesday, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said the team has been able to layer in a few different ideas as they turn their focus toward MLS regular-season play. As far as attacking tactics go, there was an emphasis on set pieces. Fitness-wise, he feels the players are in a strong place, especially after competing in two 90-minute matches vs. Louisville City FC in the lead up to the home opener this weekend.

Those two highlights, paired with the competitiveness the squad showed throughout preseason in Portugal, Spain, and back home at the Providence Swedish Performance Center & Clubhouse, offer a glimpse of just how captivating Sounders matches are expected to be for 2026.

Strong Attack

It is safe to say the Sounders are stacked in the attack. Last season, the team finished with a historic 58 goals and 73 assists in league play, passing the club’s highest goal contribution record of 130 that was set in 2014. With main contributors like 2025 Sounders golden boot winner Danny Musovski and the club’s all-time leading goal-scorer Jordan Morris making their returns, Rave Green opposition are in for a rude awakening. 

Additionally, second-year center forward Osaze De Rosario has had a lights-out 2026 preseason, scoring a total of four goals in four friendly-appearances. Combined with Jesús Ferreira’s distribution rate, Paul Rothrock and Georgi Minoungou’s speed on the wings, and Albert Rusnák’s knack for delivering in big moments, the group shapes up as a lethal attacking unit heading into 2026 competition.

Stretch of away matches

While FIFA undergoes renovation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Sounders will be on a six-match stretch of away matches following their match vs. the Rapids on Sunday. The home opener marks the only home match fans can attend until April, making this match as necessary as ever for fans to attend and cheer on the Sounders at Lumen Field.​

Ticket offers

The Sounders are offering a variety of ticket bundles ahead of the home opener! Michelob Ultra and the Sounders are collaborating on a two tickets, two beers special, and a two-match pack is being offered that includes Sunday’s fixture and the club’s Cascadia Rivalry match against the Portland Timbers on July 16. 

Fans can also purchase a home opener ticket, plus five other regular season home matches with the Rave Pack — a partial pack ticket option formulated around rivalries and marquee opponents.

Pre-match activations

Enjoy the home opener before the first whistle with pre-match activities, live music, food trucks and more! Gates open one hour before kickoff, giving fans enough time to indulge in a galaxy-swirled donut from Zuri’s Gourmet Donuts in the North Plaza before venturing to Olympic Hall to participate in a skills challenge or an interactive virtual goalkeeping game!

Head to KBYG for more info on all that a Sounders matchday has to offer!