The Seattle Southside Sports Scene

Seattle Seawolves at Starfire Sports

Major League Rugby (MLR) is a young but passionate league, and the Seattle Seawolves have made a huge splash in their short history. The Seawolves have made the playoffs three out of four times since the league's inception, and have won the Championship Shield twice! Their fans make the atmosphere at Starfire Sports Stadium something to behold, and they've grown the game of rugby in the Seattle Southside into a real event.

The Major League Rugby season runs from February to early June, with a brief preseason in January and the playoffs taking place in June. This past season, the Seawolves made it to the Championship final match, though they sadly did not win the shield this year. With a team as dynamic as the Seawolves, don't be surprised if you see us in the postseason next year, too! The fans will once again make Starfire Sports the place to be.

Soccer Heaven at Starfire Sports

Speaking of Starfire Sports, there's far more to this fantastic venue than just rugby. Not only is Starfire the practice facility of the Seattle Sounders, but it is the epicenter of soccer in the region. Ask anyone from Western Washington who grew up playing soccer in the last 20 years where they played their tournaments and went to camp, and they'll reminisce about Starfire. With twelve outdoor and two indoor pitches, there is tons of room to play no matter what the weather is like. If you love soccer, you're sure to find a camp, tournament, or Sounders practice to enjoy on these grounds. And if you have a group that really loves soccer? You can even rent out a field to host your event and play some friendly matches.

Scuba Diving at Saltwater State Park

Saltwater State Park has more going on below the surface. Sure, it's a beautiful park for lounging at the beach, having a picnic, or taking a walk and enjoying the gorgeous views of the Puget Sound. But what really makes Saltwater special is the artificial reef just off its shores that serve as a refuge to the wonderfully diverse wildlife that lives in our waters. Experienced divers can take a scuba diving adventure on their own, or you can book a guided tour with Seattle Dive Tours.

Bowler's Paradise

Did you know that there are 70 lanes of bowling here in Seattle Southside? Between the Bowlwinkle Lanes at Family Fun Center (16 lanes), Round 1 Bowling and Amusement (14 lanes), and Bowlero South Seattle (with a whopping 40 lanes of bowling!), Seattle Southside is a bowler's paradise. If you're looking for a fun, family atmosphere, the Bowlwinkle Lanes (Get it? Like Rocky & Bullwinkle?) is a great place for kids of all ages to have some fun at the lanes. Round 1 is open late (until 2AM on the weekends!) and offers lots of other amusements, such as karaoke, billiards, and arcade games. Bowlero offers private lanes and private rooms for events, as well as a fantastic bar and glow bowling that can make the game fun for more than just the kids.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

Getting out on the water is not only a ton of fun and great exercise, you can also get some gorgeous views of the Puget Sound, the Seattle skyline, and Mt. Rainier! Paddle out from Redondo Beach and enjoy everything the waters of the Sound have to offer. No boat or paddleboard of your own? No problem! Rent from Olympic Outdoor Center for an hour or the whole day to paddle your cares away! If you do have a vessel of your own, you may also want to try the Duwamish River from the Duwamish Gardens. You'll have a chance to see how the ecological recovery efforts are going in this important waterway, and you may even catch a glimpse of wildlife! Follow the Duwamish downstream and you can get a unique, urban view of the cargo ships at the Port of Seattle. Plus, Duwamish Gardens is a stop along our Seattle Southside Scenes trail, so you can learn about local history, too!

BMX racing and Disc Golf at North SeaTac Park

If you want to get your heart pumping, the action at the BMX track in North SeaTac Park is hard to beat! The track has recently been renovated, and they've just recently received approval for a new pump track to help provide another form of racing to all! While you need to be registered to participate in officially sanctioned races, the track is open to the public whenever there is not an official race taking place. Helmets on, of course!

If BMX biking sounds a little too extreme for you, grab your Frisbee and head to the park for a round of disc golf. There's a fantastic course at North SeaTac Park that makes it easy to get outside and play with your friends.

Foster Golf Links

Nestled alongside the beautiful Duwamish River, Foster Golf Links has been a popular spot for a day of golf since 1925. This historic 18-hole course offers a fun yet challenging course layout, even requiring you to shoot across the river on two holes! The natural beauty is enough to make you forget that you're conveniently located right in the heart of Seattle Southside, not far from the Seattle Tacoma International Airport. The course is also home to Billy Baroo’s, a pub with Northwestern-inspired eats and delicious beers to refresh yourself after a round. Billy Baroo's is also home to watch parties for the Seawolves' away games, so even if the team isn't playing at Starfire, you can still catch the action locally!

Want even more golf? We've put together a list of the best golf courses in the area, including some daytrip-worthy destinations!