Well, the weekend Vancouver Swifties have been waiting for has finally arrived — Taylor Swift's Seattle Eras Tour dates.
Seattle is the closest Swift gets to Vancouver on the tour that we know of (though that might change in the future if recent rumours are to be believed) and so many Metro Vancouverites are planning to travel down to catch the show — some without tickets.
The concert weekend also happens to correspond with the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Mariners series, which also attracts thousands of spectators from north of the border.
Like in Vancouver, the huge venues for both events are next door to each other. Between baseball crowds leaving after their afternoon games and Swift fans showing up early to camp out and swap bracelets before the show, there are expected to be over 100,000 people gathered in two stadiums a block apart.
There will also be a Capitol Hill block party and a bridge closure causing congestion, so here is everything you need to know to help you plan accordingly for a crazy weekend (July 22-23).
Getting there
Border crossing and road closures
The first baseball game is on Friday at 7:10 p.m. and the first Taylor Swift concert is on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. so expect big lineups at the border on both Friday and Saturday.
Remember you can't bring marijuana across the border and it's best to leave paraphernalia at home to be on the safe side, too.
There will be several road closures taking place over the weekend that will affect Metro Vancouverites trying to get to Seattle. State Route 520 will be closed in both directions from 10 p.m. Friday, July 21 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 24.
Mountlake Boulevard will also be closed Monday, July 24.
Check the Washington State Department of Transportation live map for updates on traffic and closures.
Taking light rail
Seattle's light rail public transit system will run every 10 minutes from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and every 15 minutes from 10 p.m. to 1:40 a.m. July 22 and 23.
To get to the two stadiums take Line 1 and get off at International Station. Walk towards the Wells Fargo and turn right at the crosswalk to walk between buildings. It's a straight line to Lumen Field from there (over the train tracks).
Public transit is going to be busy so people are recommending you get to Lumen Field around 4 p.m. before the baseball games get out to avoid the crowds.
Parking at the stadium
The same goes for traffic.
There is parking at the King Street Station Garage, the Jack Garage, the Union Square Garage, Norton Building Garage, Millenium Tower Garage, and Benaroya Hall Garage, as well as some open lots within walking distance of the stadiums. Prices range from $20 to $150 for the day to park.
All lots surrounding the stadiums are expected to be full so locals suggest getting a spot before the gates open and the baseball games start (around 11:20 a.m.) or, if you're hoping to avoid traffic, pre-book and arrive before the baseball games finish.
You can pre-purchase parking tickets for the Lumen Field parking garage in advance of the show. Some locals suggest that if you don't, it's unlikely you'll get a spot. People are reselling parking tickets online with some going for upwards of $300.
The entrance to the Lumen Field parking garage is a ramp accessible from First Avenue. Turn right off First and the ramp in on the left.
There is also an open parking lot for Lumen Field by the north gate but it does not allow tailgating and may be used for the merch trucks.
T-Mobile Park, home of the Mariners, has its own garage which is also likely to be full.
Things to know about Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park
Entry to Lumen Field
Lower bowl and nosebleed tickets must enter through the West, South, or Northwest gates. They cannot enter through the Event Centre gate.
Floor tickets must enter through the designated floor ticket entry at the Event Centre gate.
Suite tickets can enter through any gate except the Event Centre gate. However, level six of the parking garage is a designated suite entrance.
Accessibility entry is allowed through all gates but level two of the parking garage is a designated accessible entrance.
Bag policy
Both venues have a clear bag policy. A small clutch purse (6.5 x 4.5 inches) is acceptable but you won't be allowed in with anything bigger unless it's clear. There are paid lockers across the street, next door to the Seattle Seahawks merch store, for bags that have been denied entry.
Merchants set up along Occidental Avenue selling event day items, including clear vinyl bags.
Cashless
Both stadiums are cashless.
