Updated Nov 2, 2026 — refreshed Outdoor Event Center project guide.
What is the status of the Everett Outdoor Event Center? The proposed $120 million downtown Everett Outdoor Event Center is advancing through land assembly, environmental review, and public-private capital structuring. Located directly east of Angel of the Winds Arena on a 12.5-acre site bounded by Broadway, Hewitt Avenue, Pacific Avenue, and the railroad tracks, the multi-purpose stadium will serve as the new home for the Everett AquaSox (High-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners) and a proposed United Soccer League (USL) professional club. Funding is anchored by a $10 million commitment from Snohomish County hotel-motel tax revenue, Washington State capital grants, city financing levers, and team lease equity.
Everett’s ambitious plan to build a downtown multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium has evolved from preliminary city council discussions into an active, multi-party regional development. The Everett Outdoor Event Center (EOEC) aims to replace aging Funko Field, keep affiliated Minor League Baseball in Snohomish County, and establish a year-round outdoor venue in the city core.
This guide details the updated project timeline, the $120 million funding matrix, parcel assembly progress, and how the venue connects with downtown Everett’s entertainment corridor.
Project Master Factsheet & Site Map
Key parameters for the downtown stadium project include:
- Official Project Name: Everett Outdoor Multi-Purpose Event Center (EOEC).
- Total Estimated Cost: Approximately $120 million (public-private partnership).
- Primary Tenants: Everett AquaSox (Seattle Mariners High-A affiliate) and a proposed USL men’s and women’s professional soccer club.
- Multi-Use Programming: Outdoor summer concerts, high school athletics, community festivals, and public gathering spaces.
- Site Footprint: 12.5 acres in downtown Everett bounded by:
- Broadway to the west.
- Hewitt Avenue to the north.
- Pacific Avenue to the south.
- Amtrak / BNSF railroad line to the east.
- Location Context: Positioned directly east of Angel of the Winds Arena and two blocks west of Everett Station, creating an integrated sports and transit corridor.
The April 29, 2026 Vote in Historical Context
The project reached a major milestone on April 29, 2026, when the Everett City Council voted to approve an initial $10.6 million allocation for stadium architectural design, schematic engineering, and initial property acquisition. That vote authorized the city to formally proceed with property negotiations, site planning, and interagency funding agreements, transitioning the stadium concept into formal development.
The $120 Million Financing Matrix: Who Pays for the Venue?
Building a modern minor-league stadium and civic event center requires assembling multiple funding tiers across public and private sectors:
- Snohomish County ($10 Million): Snohomish County committed $10 million in lodging and hotel-motel tax revenues toward the project, recognizing the regional economic impact of sports tourism and visitor spending.
- Private Team Capital & Leases ($17+ Million): Direct capital contributions and 30-year lease commitments from the Everett AquaSox and ownership group, helping service long-term project debt.
- State of Washington Grants: Capital budget allocations and Department of Commerce grants supporting regional public assembly facilities and economic revitalization.
- City of Everett Financing Levers: Interfund municipal bonding, tax-increment financing (TIF), and land assembly within the designated urban renewal area.
Why the Project Matters: MLB Compliance & USL Soccer Expansion
The push for a new venue is driven by two distinct sports dynamics:
1. MLB Player Development License (PDL) Mandate: In 2021, Major League Baseball assumed governance of Minor League Baseball and instituted strict new facility standards covering player clubhouses, batting cages, female staff facilities, biometric training spaces, and stadium lighting. Everett Memorial Stadium (Funko Field), originally built in 1947, cannot meet these modern standards without cost-prohibitive structural reconstruction. Building the Outdoor Event Center ensures Everett retains its affiliation with the Seattle Mariners.
2. Professional Soccer & Year-Round Activation: Incorporating a regulation soccer pitch allows downtown Everett to host United Soccer League (USL) professional men’s and women’s soccer. Combined with summer concerts and community events, the facility is designed to generate downtown foot traffic beyond the 66-game summer baseball calendar.
Downtown Pedestrian & Transit Synergy
The 12.5-acre site creates a walkable entertainment spine along Hewitt Avenue:
- Arena Connection: Fans can easily walk between the Outdoor Event Center and Angel of the Winds Arena. Check our Everett Silvertips and Angel of the Winds Arena guide for arena logistics.
- Parking Synergy: Rather than constructing massive surface parking lots, event attendees will utilize existing downtown garages, including Everpark Garage (2815 Hoyt Ave) and the Snohomish County Courthouse Garage (3000 Rockefeller Ave).
- Transit Access: The site sits two blocks from Everett Station (Sounder commuter rail, Amtrak Cascades, Sound Transit Express) and connects directly to Everett Transit routes along Broadway and Pacific Avenue. See our analysis of Everett Transit regional integration and waterfront dining at The Muse Whiskey & Coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the new Everett AquaSox stadium located?
The Outdoor Event Center is located in downtown Everett on the 12.5-acre site bounded by Broadway, Hewitt Avenue, Pacific Avenue, and the railroad tracks, immediately east of Angel of the Winds Arena.
How much does the Everett Outdoor Event Center cost?
The total project cost is estimated at approximately $120 million, funded through a public-private partnership including Snohomish County hotel-motel tax revenue ($10 million), Washington State grants, city financing, and private team lease equity.
What happened during the April 29, 2026 City Council vote?
On April 29, 2026, the Everett City Council voted to approve an initial $10.6 million funding authorization for architectural design and preliminary parcel acquisition, formally advancing the stadium into active development.
Why can’t the AquaSox stay at Funko Field?
Funko Field (built in 1947) does not meet Major League Baseball’s mandatory facility standards for player training, clubhouses, and female staff facilities. Without a compliant stadium, Everett risks losing its Seattle Mariners High-A affiliate.
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