What to Know About Reign FC’s New Home at Cheney Stadium
In a press conference January 30, Reign FC announced that it would relocate to Tacoma and play its home matches at Cheney Stadium, home to the Triple-A baseball Tacoma Rainiers and USL Championship’s Tacoma Defiance.
Less than three months since that announcement, Reign FC will play its first match at Cheney Stadium on Sunday, April 21 against the Orlando Pride at 7:00 p.m. PT.
Ahead of its home opener, Reign FC wants fans to know how they can get the most out of their matchday experience at Cheney Stadium in 2019.
About Cheney Stadium
The Reign will play its home matches at Cheney Stadium, its new home in the South Sound, as part of a partnership between Reign FC and the parent company of the Tacoma Rainiers (who also co-own Tacoma Defiance with Seattle Sounders FC). Cheney Stadium is home to the Tacoma Rainiers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, and the Defiance, the USL Championship affiliate of Seattle Sounders FC. The the stadium is capable of undergoing a dramatic transformation to take it from a regulation baseball diamond to a 110-by-70 yard soccer pitch.
The stadium underwent a $30 million renovation before the 2011 season which added 16 luxury suites, a 4,000 square foot club space and additional space for concessions and restrooms, and has since undergone an additional $7MM in improvements, adding new hospitality space, the first ever fire pit in professional sports, and a brand new club space known as the 1882 Club.
How Does the Field Conversion Process Work?
The pitch at Cheney Stadium is 110 yards by 70 yards – meeting the official FIFA requirements for professional and international matches. The pitch was made possible by Cheney Stadium head groundskeeper Michael Huie’s decision to remove the pitcher’s mound and lay tightly-fit grass over the infield clay to preserve sight lines for fans in the main grandstand.
A team of 12 people can convert the field from baseball to soccer in as little as 10 hours.
Where Can I Pick Up or Purchase My Tickets?
Cheney Stadium has two box offices. The primary box office and will call is located on the southwest end of the stadium near the home plate entrance. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday. On match days the box office opens at 10 a.m. and closes 90 minutes after kickoff. A photo ID is required for all ticket pick-ups and reprints.
The second box office is on the north side of the stadium and is only open on matchdays. It opens two hours before kickoff and closes an hour after kickoff. There is no will call available at north box office location.
What’s to Eat?
Concessions are run by longtime Pacific Northwest staple Ivar’s with a focus on locally sourced foods and handcrafted menu items. Seafood options include Ivar’s famous clam chowder, fish tacos, and fish and chips. Also available are burgers from Kidd Valley, pizza, chicken and a variety of gourmet hot dogs and bratwurst.
Be sure to check out the brand new R-B-Q, which offers locally sourced brisket, pulled pork, and mac and cheese in the main grandstand concourse.
What’s to Drink?
Along with traditional soft drink options served by Pepsi, a selection of craft and domestic beers are available at concessions stands throughout Cheney Stadium. Be sure to visit 7 Seas Brewing along the western stadium concourse to try craft beers brewed in the South Sound.
For an elevated view of the pitch from the west touch line, head up to R-Bar above the party decks for a great selection of beer and liquor, as well as views of iconic Mt. Rainier. R-Bar has both a 21-and-over and an all-ages section.
BECU FanZone
The BECU FanZone returns to Reign FC matches in 2019. The FanZone will be located near the southern goal line and gives fans a chance to get autographs and take photos with their favorite players after every home match.
BECU Family Fun Zone
New to Reign FC in 2019, the club welcomes the addition of the BECU Family Fun Zone in the stadium’s southeast corner for all weekend home matches. The Fun Zone includes a play area, face-painting, and balloon animals for young Reign FC fans.
Where Can I Purchase Reign FC Gear?
The We R Tacoma team store is located along the main concourse on the stadium’s west side and is open year-round. The store is open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, and 11:00 a.m. through the end of the game on match days.
You can also find Reign FC gear at the club’s online store.
Where Should I Park?
Cheney Stadium is located at 2502 S Tyler St, Tacoma, WA 98405.
Ample parking is available around Cheney Stadium and at nearby Foss High School. Parking costs $10 and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Don’t feel like driving your own car? Reign FC has partnered with Rally Bus to provide Seattle-based fans an option to commute to and from Cheney Stadium. Round-trip tickets for each match cost $25 and can be purchased at rally.co/reign-fc. Fans are allowed to bring their own food and beverages (including alcohol) on the bus with them, but Cheney Stadium does not allow in outside food and beverage.
Pierce Transit Route 2 stops along South 19th Street, a short walk along Clay Huntington Way to Cheney Stadium. Fans can visit Pierce Transit for more information
Bag Policy
Cheney Stadium allows outside bags, but all items will be inspected by stadium personnel prior to being allowed inside the stadium. Fans will also have to pass through metal detectors prior to entry.
The following items are prohibited at Cheney Stadium: Alcohol/drugs, fireworks, flammable liquids, glass containers, weapons and outside food and beverage, though sealed water bottles and empty reusable bottles are allowed.
What’s Upstairs?
On the stadium’s second level sit several suites and the newly renovated 1882 Club, providing a premium seating experience with large bay doors to view Reign FC’s matches in style.
On the stadium’s third floor are the remaining suites and the Key Bank Summit Club, a 4,000 square foot space to watch the match with a great elevated view of the action overlooking the south goal. Summit Club attendees get all-inclusive beer, wine, soda and snacks, along with reserved parking and a private entrance.
Inquiries about premium ticket experiences can be made via tickets@reignfc.com