All-Star Rugby at Starfire

Rugby is back at Starfire! It’s been months since we last saw players out on the pitch, but now the wait is over.

Women’s Premier League Rugby, the highest level of women’s rugby in the U.S., is hosting their 5th ever All-Star Game right here in Tukwila. The U.S. All-Star team is made up of the top players from each of the league’s seven clubs across the country. They’ll be facing off in the league’s first international match against the Te Tai Tokerau Natives from New Zealand, a roster that includes the top players from the country. 

This match is guaranteed to be an action-packed, competitive duel between these two teams. If you’re a rugby fan, you won’t want to miss this! 

Experience Tukwila will be sponsoring this event, so join us on November 11 at 5 PM as we cheer on some of the most incredible players in the U.S. and New Zealand as they descend on Starfire, home of where champions train!

Get your tickets here.

Make Your Summer a 10: Things to do in Tukwila

This summer has been unusually sunny—so much so that people all over the Pacific Northwest are at a loss for what else to do with all the sunshine. Well, we’ve got you covered. Tukwila is overflowing with activities and experiences perfect for those long summer days. Check out a few of our favorites below, inspired by the winners of our recent photo contest—Mikkell Jackson Roeland, Rene Hough, and Ric Meyer!

Catch Some Shade at Duwamish Hill Preserve and River 

Starting things off, we have the perfect remedy for these crazy-high temperatures. A walk through the Duwamish Hill Preserve or along the Duwamish River is a great way to cool down and find some shade from the sun while still enjoying the outdoors.

Power Up at Family Fun Center 

All this extra sun means tons of extra energy to put towards games! Dip into Family Fun Center for bowling, putt-putt, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, laser tag, arcade games, pizza, and much more. Honestly, you could spend all summer inside this place! 

All Fore Fun at Foster Golf Links

Other golf courses just have golfing. In Tukwila, we do it a little differently. One of our favorite summer experiences is “First Fridays” at Foster Golf Links. Enjoy live music and a movie at sunset out on the green while loading up on your favorite food from Billy Baroo’s restaurant just a few steps away. 

Soar Above the Heat at the Museum of Flight 

What would a trip to Tukwila be without a visit to the Museum of Flight? A staple of our city for decades, the Museum of Flight is a favorite way to soar above the heat and explore the history of flight.

Make a Splash at the Tukwila Pool 

Dive into one of the coolest places in Tukwila, the Tukwila Pool! But make sure it’s only in the deep end! This favorite summer pastime never fails. Enjoy a leisurely float, jump off the diving board, or sign up for classes today! 

Book Your Summer with Fun

The Tukwila Library not only has a large selection of books, but also a whole calendar full of exciting activities and experiences, like Math Club, Arabic Story Time, Arts & Crafts, and plenty more.

Try a New Lane at Bowlero Bowling 

Strike off a classic summer activity on your list with Bowlero Bowling. At Bowlero, they pull out all of the stops to make your bowling experience unforgettable. In between games, you can enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, billiards, a full arcade, and more. Bowling sure has changed since we were kids! 

Experience Tukwila on Two Wheels 

The summer fun never tires in Tukwila! At 14 miles, the Interurban Trail is a favorite among cyclists and runners. It’s the perfect way to take in all of the sights and sounds of Tukwila. Think you can conquer it in a single day? You probably could—14 miles is long but not, like long-long. 

Kick the Heat at Starfire 

Still stuck on ideas? Here’s an assist: grab a soccer ball and take to the pitch at Starfire Sports! Anyone can reserve a spot to play a pickup game, host a party, or even go all in on a full tournament. Inside and outside fields available. Champions train in Tukwila, and many of their careers begin right here at Starfire. You could be the next star! Or just a casual weekend player—that’s cool too! 

Freshen Up at the Farmers Market

There’s nothing more refreshing than fresh food, and we know just the place to fill your tote with locally grown fruits and veggies. Tukwila Village Farmers Market is your classic community market, providing locally grown produce. When you shop here, you’re also supporting local immigrant and refugee growers. Take a stroll through the market every Wednesday afternoon, now until mid-October!

Now it’s time to get out there.

Phew! That was a lot of activities and experiences to get through—we’re breaking a sweat! Time to go cool off at one of the many amazing restaurants in Tukwila…or maybe we’ll see a movie…or maaaaybe we’ll go to the VR arcade! Oh wow, so many more things to do in this town. Guess we’ll have to compile another list soon! 

We hope this list was helpful and will bring you some more summer joy. Enjoy your time in Tukwila!

Starfire Celebrates 20 Years

Join the community of Tukwila in celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Starfire Sports Complex. 

They have been such an integral part of Tukwila’s rise in the world of professional and recreational sports. 

Each year, Starfire introduces people of all ages to the joy and camaraderie of team sports, including soccer, rugby, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, and flag football. The Seattle Seawolves have called Starfire home since 2017, where they’ve entertained thousands of fans and brought home two MLR Championships. OL Reign and the Seattle Sounders are also regular visitors to Starfire, routinely using the pro-level pitch to train and even host occasional meet-and-greets with fans. 

Between the unbelievable comebacks, championship celebrations, and passionate fans, magical moments routinely happen at Starfire (such as in 2015 when Starfire hosted the Quidditch Northwest Championship!)

The complex also offers coaching clinics and STEAM camps for local area youth. Kids get to engage in activities such as science experiments, engineering challenges, art projects, and robotics, as well as a variety of recreational sports and outdoor activities. 

Join the Tukwila community on Saturday 29th at Starfire Sports Complex for music, food, drinks, games, coaching clinics, and amazing prizes!

OL Reign vs Club América

OL Reign has been training in Tukwila for just a few months and they’re already making history! To celebrate the announcement of a historic three-way partnership with Club América and Olympique Lyonnais, OL Reign is kicking off a new era at Starfire Sports with a friendly match against Club América. 

“Today we are proud to achieve a historic alliance in women’s football, in which three leading teams, from three different regions, come together to advance growth and set the course for women’s football future globally.” said Club América Women Football Director, Claudia Carrion.

The teams will use this opportunity to also collaborate on how to best grow all areas of women’s soccer and inspire people around the world to take part. 

We invite you to be a part of this special moment in sports history. Catch the friendly match Saturday, Feb. 25th at Tukwila’s Starfire Sports.

Tickets start at just $5, grab yours here.

Seawolves Start 2023 Seeking Redemption

Kick off the MLR regular season with a redemption match.

On February 18 at 6:30pm, the Seattle Seawolves take on the 2022 MLR champions, Rugby New York Ironworkers in a much anticipated finals rematch. It’s a season home opener for the ages and one you definitely don’t want to miss. 

If you can’t make it to the game, it will also be broadcasted nationally on Fox Sports.

It’s time to get back to the hunt. Show up to support your Seawolves, bring out the home turf SEAWALL, and help make this the most exciting season yet. Together we hunt!

The Hunt Begins in Tukwila – Seawolves Preseason

Riding a wave of excitement from another banger of a year, the Seattle Seawolves are primed to take it one step further in 2023 and hopefully bring home their third MLR shield. Kicking things off is a series of exciting preseason matches at Starfire Stadium.

First up are the American Raptors on Sunday, February 5th, fast followed by a special hometown heroes matchup with the Seattle Rugby Club on Wednesday, February 8th. Joining them for the opening curtain raiser will be the Seattle Rugby Club’s Women’s Program. This is a match you won’t want to miss, showcasing all the amazing local talent that’s helping grow this beloved game.

Tickets for preseason matches and February 4 Pack Deals are available HERE.

Starfire Welcomes More Champions

The list of professional teams that play and train in Tukwila keeps on growing! Today, the OL Reign announced a multi-year agreement with Starfire Sports. The very fields which have hosted champions of every caliber and represent the fiery spirit of our city will now serve as the OL Reign’s official training site beginning February 2023.

“We are very excited to partner with OL Reign and have the team call Starfire home!” said Starfire Sports President and CEO Ben Oliver. “Partnering with OL Reign is an amazing opportunity for our community, and especially our kids, to witness these world-class athletes and further the soccer experience here and in the greater Seattle area we serve.”

The OL Reign is one of the founding members of the National Women’s Soccer League, which began in 2012. Since then, the team has been busy filling their trophy shelf. In just nine seasons, the OL Reign has made five postseason appearances and taken home the NWSL Shield twice. 

Once they begin their residence at Starfire, the OL Reign will have exclusive access to top-quality fields, training equipment, and locker room space. The partnership will also open up additional opportunities to engage with the youth. Starfire is committed to providing extra field space for OL Reign Academy, a program that will provide more accessible playing opportunities for kids.

“This move is a monumental step for us, and we are excited to call Starfire home and to create a partnership with them to support the community,” said OL Reign CEO Vincent Berthillot. “Along with our move this season to Lumen Field, a priority for us has been to secure a top-level training facility near our new home venue that would support our club, its world-class players, and overall operations as we continue to grow.”

We’re on the cusp of an exciting new era for Starfire Sports and the city of Tukwila. Please help us in welcoming the OL Reign to this one-of-a-kind sports community!

 

MLS Next Pro Western Conference Semifinal at Starfire Sports

On September 25, watch the Tacoma Defiance take on Houston Dynamo 2 for the MLS Next Pro Western Conference Semifinals at Starfire Stadium. Cheer them on in their quest to become the league’s first champions!

Tickets start at just $15 and all proceeds directly benefit RAVE Foundation, the official charitable partner of Seattle Sounders FC. They are available for purchase here and at the gate as space allows.

Sounders FC Rave Green 5k Run

Sure, driving around Tukwila is great, but have you tried running around Tukwila? Well now you can, and with thousands of other people, and for a good cause, and with Sounders FC swag! Join your fellow Sounders FC fans for the 2022 Seattle Sounders FC Rave Green Run right here in Tukwila. It’s a flat, fast, and family-friendly 5k that takes you through Starfire Sports Complex and concludes with a Finish Line Festival full of awards, music, and sweet giveaways! Plus you get a one-of-a-kind 2022 Rave Green Run race shirt to prove to all your friends and family that you’re athletic! All proceeds benefit RAVE foundation, the official charitable arm of Seattle Sounders FC. Run fast for a good cause! 

When: Sunday, September 11th
Where: Starfire Sports
Time: 10am
Cost:

  • Early Bird Registration through August 1st: $35
  • Regular Registration August 2 – September 9: $40
  • Late Registration September 9 – September 10: $45
  • Race Day Registration on September 11: $50

 

Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX

This month marked the 50th anniversary of the Education Amendment Act. The law’s landmark Title IX was instrumental in advancing gender equity in schools and removing barriers for girls and women in sports. To celebrate, we’re spotlighting a handful of the incredible athletes who have passed through the Tukwila community.

Kat Roche, Major League Rugby Referee
Kat is a former college rugby player and self-proclaimed fitness junkie, most notable for breaking new ground in Major League Rugby by becoming the first female lead referee. Her first MLR match as lead referee was right here in Tukwila last year when the Seawolves defeated the Houston SaberCats. Her career with MLR continues to have an impact on the world of sports, inspiring other women to pursue similar positions.

 

 

Carly MacKinnon, Seawolves Marketing and Communications Director
Carly is the Marketing and Communications Director for the Seawolves as well as a 15s player in the Seattle Rugby Club, where she was part of the team’s 2015 and 2016 USA Rugby Women’s Cup National Championship team. She is also a certified USA Rugby Coach and has spent years coaching high school girls in the sport.

 

 

Lauren Barber, Seawolves Director of Youth and Community Development
Lauren is the director of Youth and Community Development for the Seawolves, where she helps cultivate the next generation of rugby players in our community. A four-time national college rugby champion, Lauren has achieved a variety of leadership roles in the world of rugby, including assistant coach for the professional women’s Premier Rugby Sevens Headliners and vice chair of the youth state-based governing body, Rugby Washington.

 

Sierra Shugarts, WWU Alumni and 2016 National Player of the Year
Sierra was team captain at WWU, leading her team to the school’s first national title in 2016 and earning her Player of the Year honors. From there she traveled overseas, playing soccer in both Sweden and the Czech Republic, before returning to the PNW for new opportunities. But her long and decorated career first began right here in Tukwila at Starfire Sports. Now, Sierra has her sights set on giving back to the game which gave so much to her by putting on the jersey once again, only this time as “coach.”