The Ballard FC match day experience is an unparalleled soccer watching experience in our community. From being able to enjoy a top-class team just feet from the pitch, to seeing your neighbors and enjoying local food and beer made right in Ballard, the match day experience is one to remember — and all at an affordable and accessible price.
After a dream debut last season, Ballard FC begins their campaign this year on May 18th with a home matchup vs Whitecaps FC U19. BFC hopes to get the season off on the right foot and to pack Interbay all summer long. With many exciting updates and announcements in the offseason, there will be plenty to cheer about in Year 2 for the club.
Gates open an hour and a half before kickoff, giving fans a variety of Ballard-centric experiences as they enter Interbay Stadium and get their first look at Pagliacci Pitch, a new sponsor this year for the Club. Pagliacci Pizza is a proud Ballard FC sponsor and will even throw in a ‘Buy one, Get one’ pizza slice deal on game days when you show your ticket (available at all locations in Seattle, except UW)!
A large wayfinder pointing out cities of the world, including our fair Ballard, greets fans as they arrive. The majority of spectators start their match day experience by hooking a quick left owing to the many wonderful local Ballard food trucks and food tent options, as well as a variety of refreshments available for purchase at the concession stand. Mainstay Provisions (returning) and Watson’s Counter, will be everyday staples at all matches this season, as well as a rotation of food trucks, which will be shared before match day on the team’s social media channels (a full schedule is available as well for the season on social media channels now).
After sampling the local eats, fans will arrive at the entrance of one of Ballard FC’s most popular attractions, the Ballard FC Foundation Beer Garden. Exciting updates to the Beer Garden this year include a new provision allowing fans of all ages to enter, as well as an expansion of the space to encompass the eastern side of the pitch (including behind the goal and on-field access).
When entering the BFCF Beer Garden, fans can begin to pile in as soon as gates open, enjoying a selection of Reuben’s Brews beers, including the team’s own “Interbay IPA” – a classic West Coast IPA brewed and canned by the state’s most awarded craft brewery. The Ballard FC Foundation Beer Garden encourages the neighborhood to come together prior to kickoff to celebrate their shared excitement for the game and local community.
“I think that is the key right there. You say hey as soon as the stadium opens let’s meet here for a pint or two to get riled up before the game starts.” said Reuben’s Brews co-owner Grace Robbings. With a front row seat to the action from the BFCF Beer Garden, Robbings further explained: “You can see who is actually warming up and who they are not playing tonight. You can talk about it with those around you.“
Fans frequently stay inside to watch Ballard FC battle while they sip on some Reuben’s Brews in the Beer Garden, which is open for the duration of the game and offers a front-row view of the field.
Jay, a committed Ballard FC fan explained, “It’s just more exciting in here because there are more people around you. There is passion, it’s not too overly rowdy but it’s a little bit more energy than the stands.”
Being in USL2 and having a beer garden at your stadium is uncommon, therefore when the chance to do so arose, Reuben’s Co-Owner, Adam Robbings seized at it and eventually became the club’s primary sponsor.
“I grew up with football so having the opportunity to be a part of this became a question of “how” instead of “if;” so to be able to support something so local for Ballard and to help give it a kick start as much as we can- we just feel very fortunate to be a part of it,” Adam explained.
In addition to enjoying a Reuben’s brew, fans can play a variety of games, including cornhole in the BFCF Beer Garden. As everyone gathers to support Ballard FC, this experience ensures fantastic conversations and experiences with others, and now it’s available to the whole family.
The BFCF Beer Garden is just one of the many reasons to enjoy a Ballard FC match day experience. If you head back towards the large sign which greets fans upon entrance, you can find the Ballard FC merchandise tent directly behind it. Fans have the opportunity to purchase a multitude of fun gear, including a selection of T-shirts and sweatshirts as well as the team’s three jerseys for the 2023 season.
Fans with seated tickets can proceed to the bleachers to settle in before kickoff after purchasing their preferred Ballard FC swag. Seated tickets are available to everyone, and are excellent for those bringing young children. Kids also have their own area in the stadium – the Salmon Bay Kids PT Zone, located on the western side of the pitch, which offers games and programming for youth before and during the match.
Father and Ballard FC fan, Luca, spoke of watching the game from the stands, explaining “I think that the nice thing is that it is competitive, it is high quality soccer but it also has that neighborhood feel where you could literally run into your neighbors and that is really special.” Joy, Luca’s wife, also talked about how wonderful it is for her children to see friends at practically every match.
You can hear the rumbling of the bleachers throughout Interbay as fans fervently support the team, particularly from the team’s official supporter’s group, The Bridgekeepers, located on the far east side of the stands.
Head Bridgekeepers, Tyler Kaslik and Josh Wallace, made the decision to create their own friend group specifically committed to supporting Ballard FC as soon as word of the club’s launch spread. Sam Zisette and Chris Kaimmer, co-owners of Ballard FC, approached the group soon after rumors of it began to circulate and asked if they would like to become the team’s official supporters.
When explaining the match day experience from the Bridgekeeper’s section, Tyler described it as “almost like a blackout experience. You just yell as loud as you can, start banging on the fence line and you just get rowdy.”
Before gates open, the Bridgekeepers meet at Mulleady’s Irish Pub to share a few pints before marching down Dravus St. in full force, chanting their infamous cheer “Up The Bridges” as they approach Interbay. From the start of the inaugural season the group has continued to grow.
“It is awesome. We started out a bit calm. At the first match we probably had maybe 10-15 people and today we probably saw 45 maybe 50 fans there, so it is growing very nicely,” explained Tyler.
The Bridgekeepers are a committed group of soccer fans, fully supporting each and every player on this team.
“We are out here just for the boys and as much as we want to keep them here, we want to see some of these guys play in bigger leagues and get picked up by bigger clubs, so when they are producing, we want to make sure that everybody knows about it,” Tyler said.
Another element that makes the Ballard FC match day experience so special are the themes that have been incorporated into each match. Each theme has been chosen to celebrate different parts of the amazing Ballard community.
The season will kick off in a strong manner with the first international visitor to Interbay Stadium for Ballard FC in the form of the Vancouver U19 Whitecaps. The night’s theme is appropriately billed as an International Friendly, with special ceremony and food to accompany. (Tickets for the match are available here).
To honor local artist Dozfy, Ballard FC will bring back the artist in the community theme on June 2nd, a fan favorite that began with local artist, Henry, a year ago.
To honor local artist Dozfy, Ballard FC will bring back the artist in the community theme on June 2nd, a fan favorite that began with local artist, Henry, a year ago.
Along with Dozfy and the debut of the special Dozfy kit, Ballard FC will have a theme for each match, including ‘Music in the Community’ on June 9th and a Pride Night on July 8th.
The Pride Night match against Cultures United is a particular point of pride for Ballard FC this year, as the Club continues to grow and support progressive causes in the community.
“With our Foundation beginning in earnest this year, we are thrilled as a Club and Foundation alike to build upon our impact last year and support worthy causes in our community,” said Director of Operations and Impact, Camden Francis. “Part of this commitment stems from our recent joining of Common Goal, which serves to direct 1% of revenues from soccer players, coaches, and organizations alike to help worthwhile causes in this global sport. We are proud in our first year to be partnering with Common Goal and directing our donation to Play Proud, which supports LGBTQ+ programming and youth participation in soccer.”
Keeping with the theme of community support, the Club is also proud to be bringing back the Ballard Food Bank, which will be tabling and accepting donations at every BFC home game this summer.
Other match highlights include: League Opener – May 26th, Support Small Business – June 23, Nordic Night – June 30, and Fan Appreciation – July 16th.
Haven’t experienced a Ballard FC match day yet? Tickets are still available for all home matches, though many are selling out fast! Games only cost $15 for general admission or $12.50 for standing, with special on-field seating and VIP access options added this year as well. (Get tickets here).
After the match, the players head out to sign autographs for fans of all ages, making the experience extra special for kids in particular.
