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OL Reign plan series of activations ahead of NWSL semifinal

It started with a flag-raising at the Space Needle Friday morning.

Nikita Taparia / Sounder at Heart

Ahead of hosting their NWSL semifinal at Lumen Field on Sunday, OL Reign has a bunch of city activations and day-of events planned to build some excitement and give supporters a playoff-level atmosphere.

On Friday morning, head coach Laura Harvey and OL Reign originals, Lu Barnes, Jess Fishlock and Megan Rapinoe, raised the OL Reign flag at the top of the Space Needle for the first time in club history.

On Friday evening at 5 PM PT, OL Reign hosted a fan rally at Pike Place Market. The event kicked off with the famous fish market salmon toss and was followed by performances from the Reign City Riot, a band that joins the Supporters’ Section each match and provides a unique match atmosphere. Fans also had an opportunity to snap photos with a cutout of Jess Fishlock and OL Reign’s 2022 NWSL Shield.

To honor OL Reign, the Seattle Center Monorail system will temporarily rename their world-famous trains through the weekend to the OL Red train and OL Blue train, representing the colors of the club. Monorail signage will also feature OL Reign hype all weekend long.

Multiple landmarks around the city are also lighting up in OL Reign colors over the weekend, including the Great Wheel. Share any you spot in the comments below!

In addition, all three Seattle route Washington State Ferries are flying OL Reign flags all weekend long. (We’re still advocating for the Washington State Ferries to rename a vessel after Bethany Balcer — AKA Boats. Taking name suggestions.)

On matchday, Lumen Field gates will open at 3 PM PT — 90 minutes before kickoff — so fans can enjoy several activities. Three food trucks will be in the North Plaza: Dough Joy, Off The Rez, and Mexicuban. OL Reign will also have thunderstick giveaways at all entrances. There will be face-painting and poster-making stations as well, and other games throughout the concourse.

There will be an NWSL Shield presentation right before kickoff, and fans can snap a photo with the Shield and other player cutouts before the match. Legendary Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready will perform the national anthem, and the North Plaza will feature live music from Marina & The Dreamboats before the game. World Champion soccer freestyler Caitlyn Schrepfer will give a performance at halftime.

Planning on heading to the match? Be sure to get there early to enjoy some of these activities. You’ll be competing with roughly 20,000 fans to get through the gates as well.


Additional Reading

Five things to know when OL Reign host the KC Current

Get to know OL Reign’s semifinal opponent

OL Reign ready to show the world who they are

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