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Tag: Everett AquaSox

  • Everett’s $120M Stadium Gap: A Clear-Eyed Look at What Must Happen Before Ground Breaks

    Everett’s $120M Stadium Gap: A Clear-Eyed Look at What Must Happen Before Ground Breaks

    Q: Will the Everett downtown stadium actually get built?
    A: It is not guaranteed. The city council has not given final approval, and a $38 million funding gap must be closed first. Mayor Franklin is pursuing private investment and additional public funding. The city’s stated goal is 2027 construction start and 2028 opening for both the AquaSox and a prospective USL soccer team.

    Everett’s $120M Stadium Gap: A Clear-Eyed Look at What Has to Happen Before Ground Breaks

    The Everett Outdoor Event Center has a big number attached to it — $120 million — and an equally big problem: a $38 million gap between what the project costs and what the existing funding plan covers. Before a single parcel is acquired downtown, before DLR Group finalizes the design, and before the AquaSox or a USL soccer team signs a lease, that gap has to close.

    Here is exactly what the funding structure looks like, what needs to happen next, and what would cause the project to stall or fail.

    The Funding Stack as of April 2026

    The existing funding plan divides the $120 million roughly as follows: the City of Everett is responsible for approximately 45 percent of the total cost — about $54 million — funded through municipal bonds to be repaid by stadium revenue from baseball, soccer, and year-round events. The Everett AquaSox ownership group contributes approximately 9 percent, the prospective USL men’s and women’s soccer ownership groups contribute approximately 9 percent combined, the State of Washington contributes approximately 7 percent, and Snohomish County contributes approximately 4 percent.

    Those percentages add up to approximately $82 million of the $120 million. The $38 million gap is the difference between that figure and the full project cost — a gap that grew from an earlier estimate because construction costs across the Pacific Northwest have risen significantly since the original financial model was built.

    What Mayor Franklin Is Doing About the Gap

    At her March 5, 2026 State of the City address at the New Everett Theater on Colby Avenue, Mayor Cassie Franklin addressed the funding situation directly. The city’s strategy, as she described it: pursue private investment first — regional corporations and businesses whose brands would benefit from association with a new downtown anchor venue — then layer additional public bonds if the private raise falls short.

    The Everett Chamber of Commerce and the Everett Herald editorial board have both publicly backed the effort. The Herald’s editorial position is that the stadium’s role as a downtown economic catalyst justifies the funding effort; the Chamber’s is that a year-round event venue generates economic activity that benefits the entire business corridor along Hewitt Avenue and beyond.

    Three Things That Must Happen Before Council Votes

    City staff have been explicit about the sequencing. The council cannot vote to approve the project until: (1) a viable funding package is finalized and the $38 million gap is closed or credibly committed; (2) lease agreements with the AquaSox and USL tenant are executed; and (3) property acquisition is completed or under contract for the 28 privately owned parcels that make up the stadium footprint — everything except the buildings fronting Hewitt Avenue.

    The design-build team — DLR Group as designer, Bayley Construction as builder — is operating under a Progressive Design-Build contract. As of early 2026, the design is approximately 60 percent complete. The final design and budget package, which is what goes to council, is expected soon.

    The AquaSox Situation

    The AquaSox have been operating at Funko Field — formerly Everett Memorial Stadium — since 1984. Funko Field does not meet the updated MLB facility requirements that have been phased in for minor league affiliates. A new stadium is not optional for the team’s long-term future as a High-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The AquaSox ownership group has committed to the downtown site and is actively engaged in lease negotiations.

    The USL expansion is an additional economic driver — two professional soccer teams (men’s and women’s) would use the stadium for additional dates, increasing the annual event count and the revenue used to service the city’s bonds. USL expansion decisions are pending the stadium’s approval, creating a chicken-and-egg dynamic that requires both the stadium deal and the franchise award to proceed together.

    What Would Cause This to Fail

    The project is genuinely at risk if the private investment raise comes up significantly short and the city is unwilling to absorb additional bonding capacity. With a 2027 construction start already the revised target (pushed from the original 2026 plan), any further delay compresses the timeline and risks the AquaSox’s MLB compliance window. Construction cost inflation remaining elevated also puts pressure on the $120 million estimate itself — if costs move higher before contracts are signed, the gap grows again.

    Frequently Asked Questions About the Everett Outdoor Event Center

    Q: Where is the Everett stadium going to be built?
    A: Downtown Everett, on a city block excluding the buildings fronting Hewitt Avenue. The site requires acquisition of 28 privately owned parcels.

    Q: Who is designing the Everett stadium?
    A: DLR Group is the design architect; Bayley Construction is the builder. They were selected through the city’s Progressive Design-Build process.

    Q: When would the Everett stadium open?
    A: The revised target is 2028, for both AquaSox baseball and USL soccer. Construction would start in 2027 if the funding and approvals land on schedule.

    Q: What sports teams would play at the new Everett stadium?
    A: The Everett AquaSox (High-A, Seattle Mariners affiliate) and prospective USL men’s and women’s soccer expansion teams.

    Q: How much is the City of Everett contributing to the stadium?
    A: Approximately 45 percent of the $120 million total, or about $54 million, funded through municipal bonds repaid by stadium revenue.

    Q: Is the stadium replacing Funko Field?
    A: Yes. The AquaSox would move from Funko Field (formerly Everett Memorial Stadium) to the new downtown venue, which meets updated MLB facility requirements. The future of Funko Field after the AquaSox depart has not been publicly determined.

    Related: Everett’s Downtown Stadium Price Tag Climbs to $120M | AquaSox 2026 Season Preview | Exploring Everett

  • What Everett’s $120M Stadium Means for Downtown Business Owners and Developers

    What Everett’s $120M Stadium Means for Downtown Business Owners and Developers

    Q: Should I factor the Everett stadium into my business or real estate decisions?
    A: Cautiously yes — but the project is not yet approved and has a $38 million funding gap. The stadium would be a significant downtown anchor if built, likely increasing foot traffic on Hewitt Avenue and adjacent blocks. However, the 2028 earliest opening means any business positioning around the venue is a 2-3 year horizon play.

    What Everett’s $120M Stadium Means for Downtown Business Owners and Developers

    If you own a business or investment property in downtown Everett — or you are considering one — the Outdoor Event Center is the biggest real estate and economic development variable on the board. Here is an honest look at what the stadium actually means for the business environment and what the $38 million funding gap means for your planning timeline.

    The Anchor Effect: What a Downtown Stadium Does

    Sports venue research consistently shows that a well-integrated downtown stadium generates pre-game and post-game foot traffic that benefits restaurants, bars, and retail within approximately a half-mile radius. The Everett Outdoor Event Center’s downtown location — on a block accessible from Hewitt Avenue — puts the stadium’s foot traffic catchment zone directly over the Broadway District, the Hewitt Avenue commercial corridor, and within walking distance of Everett Station.

    The AquaSox play approximately 66 home games per season in High-A season — May through September. Add USL men’s and women’s soccer seasons, concerts, and year-round events, and the venue could be active 100+ nights per year. That is a meaningful driver for hospitality businesses that currently depend on the more sporadic event schedule at Angel of the Winds Arena and the Everett Theatre.

    Real Estate: Which Blocks Benefit Most

    The blocks immediately adjacent to the stadium site — along Hewitt between Rockefeller and Hoyt, and south along the numbered avenues — are the primary beneficiaries of a proximity premium if the stadium is built. Commercial properties suitable for sports bars, brewpubs, quick-service restaurants, and parking are the highest-demand adjacent uses in comparable markets.

    Commercial real estate along Hewitt has seen modest but real activity in the 2024-2026 period as the stadium project has moved through planning stages. Speculative positioning — buying or leasing before the deal is confirmed — carries meaningful risk given the $38 million funding gap. However, operators with existing downtown Everett presence should be thinking about how their locations map to the stadium footprint.

    The Private Investment Ask: Opportunity or Obligation?

    Mayor Franklin’s funding strategy explicitly targets private investors — regional corporations and businesses — as the first source to close the $38 million gap. Naming rights to the stadium, sponsorship tiers, and corporate partnership packages are the expected vehicles. For the right business, a naming or presenting sponsor position at a downtown Everett sports and entertainment venue could be a compelling brand investment in a market of 114,000 city residents and a metro catchment far larger.

    The Everett Chamber of Commerce is actively engaged in the stadium’s advocacy and fundraising conversation. Business owners who want to be at the table for sponsorship discussions should be in contact with the Chamber now, ahead of any formal ask structure being finalized.

    The Risk Calculus

    The stadium is not approved. The $38 million must be raised. Three preconditions — funding closure, lease execution, and property acquisition — must all be met before the city council votes. Any one of those three items can stall or kill the project. The design is 60 percent complete; construction is planned to start in 2027 with an opening targeted for 2028.

    Business investment decisions that depend on stadium traffic by, say, 2027 or early 2028 are high-risk. Business decisions that position you for the 2028+ environment — with the stadium as a probable but not certain tailwind — are more defensible. The sound strategy for most downtown operators is to build a business that works with or without the stadium, while keeping the stadium in your 3-year growth planning.

    Frequently Asked Questions for Business Owners and Developers

    Q: Who do I contact if I want to be a stadium sponsor or investor?
    A: The City of Everett’s Economic Development office and the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce are the primary points of contact for private investment conversations about the Outdoor Event Center.

    Q: What happens to the 28 parcels being acquired for the stadium site?
    A: The City of Everett will negotiate acquisition of the 28 privately owned parcels making up the stadium block. Property owners on that block are in active discussions with the city. Existing buildings fronting Hewitt Avenue are excluded from the acquisition.

    Q: Will there be parking requirements near the stadium?
    A: Parking for the new stadium is planned to use existing downtown parking structures and surface lots rather than stadium-specific new parking. This is standard for urban infill venues and has implications for nearby parking operators and garages.

    Q: What is the timeline for the stadium project?
    A: The revised timeline: funding/lease/acquisition complete (2026), construction start (2027), opening for AquaSox and USL (2028).

    Q: Is Hewitt Avenue infrastructure being upgraded as part of the stadium project?
    A: Street and utility infrastructure improvements associated with the stadium site are part of the city’s project scope, though specific scope details are still in design. The Imagine Everett comprehensive plan includes broader downtown infrastructure investment that overlaps with the stadium area.

    Related: Everett’s $120M Stadium Gap: What Has to Happen Before Ground Breaks | Everett’s Downtown Stadium Price Tag Climbs to $120M | Exploring Everett

  • Everett’s Planned Downtown Stadium: A Visitor’s Guide to What’s Coming in 2028

    Everett’s Planned Downtown Stadium: A Visitor’s Guide to What’s Coming in 2028

    Q: Can I see the AquaSox or a soccer game at the new Everett stadium?
    A: Not yet. The Everett Outdoor Event Center has a 2028 opening target, pending a $38 million funding gap being closed and city council approval. In the meantime, the AquaSox are playing their 2026 season at Funko Field, with tickets typically $10-$22 per seat.

    Everett’s Planned Downtown Stadium: A Visitor’s Guide to What’s Coming in 2028

    If you are a sports fan planning trips to Snohomish County — or you are looking at Everett as a Seattle-area weekend destination — the planned Outdoor Event Center is the biggest development to know about. It is not built yet. But it represents a transformation of the downtown sports and entertainment scene that would make Everett a day-trip or overnight destination in a way it has not been before.

    What the New Stadium Is

    The Everett Outdoor Event Center is a $120 million multipurpose stadium planned for a downtown block accessible from Hewitt Avenue. It would be the new home of the Everett AquaSox — the High-A West affiliate of the Seattle Mariners — and would host men’s and women’s professional soccer teams from USL expansion franchises. DLR Group is the designer; Bayley Construction is the builder. The design is currently about 60 percent complete, with construction targeting 2027 and an opening for the 2028 baseball and soccer seasons.

    The location matters for visitors. Downtown Everett is within walking distance of Everett Station (Sounder train from Seattle), multiple hotel options, the Hewitt Avenue restaurant corridor, and a 10-minute drive from Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place restaurant row. A game day in downtown Everett — if the stadium is built — sets up the kind of pre-and-post-game experience that currently doesn’t exist in Snohomish County.

    Why Visitors Come to Everett Now

    While the stadium is still years away, Everett is already worth visiting for sports fans. The AquaSox are playing their 2026 season at Funko Field — tickets typically run $10-$22, the sightlines are excellent, and the team is fielding a competitive roster that includes five Seattle Mariners top-30 prospects. The Everett Silvertips are in WHL Playoff Round 2 right now, facing the Kelowna Rockets with Games 1 and 2 at Angel of the Winds Arena on April 10-11 — a hockey playoff atmosphere that rivals much larger markets.

    The Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place has emerged as a genuine destination. The Net Shed Fish Market and Kitchen (opened December 2025), Tapped Public House (opened March 2026, with the largest waterfront rooftop deck in Snohomish County), and Anthony’s HomePort anchor a restaurant row on the water that is already drawing visitors from Seattle and the broader Puget Sound.

    Getting to Everett from Seattle

    Everett is approximately 25 miles north of Seattle via I-5 — typically a 35-55 minute drive depending on traffic. The Sounder North commuter train runs from King Street Station (Seattle) to Everett Station in approximately 65 minutes; check Sound Transit’s schedule as frequency is limited compared to Sounder South. From Everett Station, the downtown stadium site, Angel of the Winds Arena, and Funko Field are all within a rideshare-accessible radius.

    For visitors arriving by car, downtown Everett has surface parking and parking structures with reasonable rates — typically $5-$10 for event parking in adjacent lots. The waterfront is a short drive from downtown or an easy rideshare from the stadium area.

    What a Game Day in 2028 Everett Could Look Like

    If the stadium project closes its funding gap and opens on schedule in 2028, a visit to Everett for a game would look something like this: arrive at Everett Station on the Sounder, walk to the Hewitt Avenue restaurant corridor for pre-game food and drinks, walk to the stadium for an AquaSox game or USL soccer match in a brand-new downtown venue, then walk or rideshare to the waterfront for post-game dinner at the Net Shed or Tapped. That is a full-day itinerary anchored by a mid-size city event infrastructure that competes credibly with minor league markets across the Pacific Northwest.

    Frequently Asked Questions for Visitors and Sports Fans

    Q: Where are the AquaSox playing in 2026?
    A: Funko Field (formerly Everett Memorial Stadium) at 3802 Broadway. Tickets are available at the AquaSox website. The new downtown stadium is targeted for 2028.

    Q: Where do the Everett Silvertips play hockey?
    A: Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett. WHL Playoff Round 2 home games April 10-11, 2026. The arena holds approximately 10,000 fans.

    Q: What is the best waterfront restaurant in Everett?
    A: The Net Shed Fish Market and Kitchen at Port of Everett’s Restaurant Row is getting strong early reviews — the miso-glazed sablefish is the standout dish. Tapped Public House has the best rooftop deck on the Snohomish County waterfront.

    Q: Is there a hotel near the Everett stadium site?
    A: Downtown Everett has the DoubleTree by Hilton and other lodging within walking distance of the planned stadium site. Multiple chain hotels are also located near Paine Field, approximately 5 miles from downtown.

    Q: What is Funko HQ and can I visit it?
    A: Funko’s global headquarters is in Everett, and the company operates a retail store and museum (the Funko Hollywood concept, originally at the Everett HQ) open to the public. It is a popular destination for fans of collectibles and pop culture merchandise.

    Related: Everett’s $120M Stadium: What Has to Happen Before Ground Breaks | AquaSox 2026 Season Preview | Silvertips Enter WHL Round 2

  • AquaSox Survive the Opener From Hell to Go 4-2 Against Tri-City: What We Learned

    AquaSox Survive the Opener From Hell to Go 4-2 Against Tri-City: What We Learned

    Q: How did the Everett AquaSox do in their first home series of 2026?
    A: The Everett AquaSox went 4-2 against the Tri-City Dust Devils in their first home series of 2026, bouncing back from a brutal 17-2 opening night loss to take four of the six games at Everett Memorial Stadium.

    It was the worst home opener in recent memory. On April 7, the Everett AquaSox walked out in front of their home fans for the first time in 2026 and proceeded to lose 17-2 to the Tri-City Dust Devils. In baseball terms, it’s the kind of result that makes fans cringe, beat writers reach for extra coffee, and front offices quietly remind themselves that it’s a long season.

    But here’s the thing: the AquaSox didn’t fold. They didn’t let one historically ugly night define their week. Over the next five games, they went 4-1 and finished their first home series at 4-2 — a genuinely solid result when you consider how badly they started it.

    Here’s what we learned from the first homestand of the 2026 AquaSox campaign.

    The Opener Was That Bad — and That’s Okay

    Let’s just acknowledge it. A 17-2 loss is rough. The Tri-City Dust Devils scored 16 runs in the first four innings, including multiple extra-base hits and a home run from Jake Munroe — who crushed a three-run blast to left for his first professional home run. Capri Ortiz added multiple RBIs, and the Dust Devils took a sledgehammer to Everett’s pitching early.

    For fans who showed up expecting a classic home opener, it was a rough welcome back. But Minor League Baseball is full of blowout games. High-A ball is where prospects are actively developing — and development means inconsistency. Pitchers walk through bad stretches. Lineups have nights where nothing clicks. The AquaSox have enough talent on this roster that one 17-2 loss tells us almost nothing about the arc of their season.

    Colton Shaw Was the Star of the Week

    If you’re looking for a reason to get excited about this AquaSox rotation, start with Colton Shaw. The right-hander and Yale alum turned in the standout pitching performance of the home series in the April 10 blowout win: six innings pitched, zero runs allowed, three hits, seven strikeouts, and zero walks.

    That’s a masterclass in efficiency. Seven strikeouts with no walks in six innings is a line that would look good in Triple-A, let alone High-A. The AquaSox offense backed him up with a 14-5 victory — a thorough dismantling of the Dust Devils that flipped the momentum of the series entirely.

    Shaw is going to be a prospect worth following all season. The pedigree (Ivy League arm), the stuff (strikeout rate), and the command (zero BBs on six innings) all point to someone capable of moving quickly through the system. Write the name down.

    Luke Stevenson and Jonny Farmelo: Names to Remember

    Going into the season, two position players from the Mariners’ system that deserve your attention in Everett are Luke Stevenson and Jonny Farmelo.

    Stevenson has been in the middle of multiple wins during the early season — contributing in the 14-5 blowout and highlighted alongside Colton Shaw in the HeraldNet writeup about back-to-back wins. He has a patient, disciplined approach at the plate that tends to translate at every level of the game. The Mariners value this kind of hitter in their development pipeline.

    Farmelo is one of the more exciting athletes on this roster. If you’ve been to an AquaSox game and someone made a play that made you forget it was a Tuesday night in April, Farmelo may have been involved. He’s a name that Mariners fans at the major league level are already tracking in the farm system.

    Felnin Celesten and the Supporting Cast

    Beyond the marquee names, this AquaSox roster has depth throughout the lineup. The April 10 blowout featured contributions from Felnin Celesten, Anthony Donofrio, Josh Caron, Brandon Eike, Carter Dorighi, Carlos Jimenez, and Axel Sanchez. That’s not a team leaning on two or three players — that’s a lineup with contributors across the order.

    For Mariners fans tracking organizational depth, this matters. The front office has invested in building out the High-A affiliate with prospects at multiple positions. The early returns on who’s going to break out are just starting to come in. The first two weeks of April gave us a handful of names to remember.

    The Series Finale Stings — But Only a Little

    Losing 5-2 to Tri-City in the April 12 series finale doesn’t erase the good work that came before it. The AquaSox had already won four games at that point. They’d shown they could compete with and beat a Tri-City team that will be in the Northwest League playoff picture come summer.

    A series-finale loss is a chapter, not the whole story. By any reasonable measure, the AquaSox responded well after the nightmare opener. That’s the resilience you want to see from a young roster.

    What’s Next for the AquaSox

    The team is currently on a road stretch before returning to Everett Memorial Stadium for a six-game homestand against the Spokane Indians, beginning Tuesday, April 21. That series will be another opportunity for fans to see what this roster can do — and to see if Colton Shaw, Luke Stevenson, and the rest of the crew can build momentum heading into the heart of the season.

    Overall, the AquaSox are a .500 club finding their footing — exactly what you’d expect from a High-A team integrating new prospects, developing pitching arms, and working through the early-season growing pains that come with every minor league campaign.

    The home opener from hell has been answered. The bounce-back was real. Now let’s see what the rest of April brings at Everett Memorial Stadium.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the Everett AquaSox record in 2026?

    After their first homestand, the AquaSox went 4-2 against the Tri-City Dust Devils, bringing them to a competitive position in the early Northwest League standings. Their full season record includes opening road games in Spokane as well.

    Who is Colton Shaw on the AquaSox?

    Colton Shaw is a right-handed starting pitcher and Yale alum in the Mariners’ system. He made a strong impression during the first home series, throwing six shutout innings against Tri-City with seven strikeouts and zero walks.

    What Mariners prospects are on the 2026 AquaSox?

    Notable names include Luke Stevenson, Jonny Farmelo, Felnin Celesten, Anthony Donofrio, Josh Caron, and Colton Shaw among others. The AquaSox serve as the Seattle Mariners’ High-A affiliate in the Northwest League.

    When is the next AquaSox home series?

    The next home series at Everett Memorial Stadium runs April 21-26, 2026 against the Spokane Indians.

    Where do the AquaSox play their home games?

    The AquaSox play at Everett Memorial Stadium in Everett, Washington. It’s one of the best Minor League Baseball experiences in the Pacific Northwest.

    Are the AquaSox affiliated with the Seattle Mariners?

    Yes. The Everett AquaSox are the official High-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners in Major League Baseball’s Northwest League.

  • AquaSox Home Opener Was Rough. Here’s Why the 2026 Season Is Still Worth Getting Excited About.

    AquaSox Home Opener Was Rough. Here’s Why the 2026 Season Is Still Worth Getting Excited About.

    Q: How did the Everett AquaSox do in their 2026 home opener series?
    A: The AquaSox dropped four of six games to the Tri-City Dust Devils in their first home series of 2026, including a brutal 17-2 blowout on Opening Night. But this is a deep, prospect-loaded roster returning 22 players from a championship team — the season has plenty of road ahead.

    AquaSox Home Opener Was Rough. Here’s Why the 2026 Season Is Still Worth Getting Excited About.

    Let’s be honest: that first home series at Funko Field was not fun to watch.

    The Tri-City Dust Devils came into Everett and won four out of six games, including a 17-2 wipeout on Opening Night that had fans checking the score in disbelief before the fifth inning. Starter Taylor Dollard gave up six earned runs in two-and-two-thirds innings. A reliever got touched for five runs in less than an inning. The AquaSox were down 10-0 before they recorded their first hit.

    It was bad. Manager Ryan Scott put the most optimistic spin he could on it — “games just aren’t going to go your way, and I really just want to see how the boys are going to compete” — and honestly, that’s the right lens for early April in the High-A Northwest League. Rough starts happen. What matters is what comes next.

    And what comes next, starting this weekend, is a lot of reasons to get back to Funko Field.

    This Is a Championship Team Coming Back

    The 2026 AquaSox returned 22 players from the squad that won the 2025 Northwest League Championship. Twenty-two. That kind of continuity is rare in minor league baseball, where rosters churn constantly as players climb organizational ladders or get released. This group knows Everett, knows Funko Field, knows how to win together. The 17-2 loss doesn’t erase a championship; it’s four games in a 132-game season.

    Context matters in the minors: player development is the mission, not the win-loss record. The Mariners sent these players to Everett to grow, to face High-A competition, to work through things. A rough first series against a legitimately good Tri-City squad is part of the process. The Dust Devils swept everyone this week.

    Five Top-30 Mariners Prospects Are on This Roster

    Here’s the real reason to keep coming to games: the Mariners pipeline is running through Funko Field right now, and it’s loaded.

    Jonny Farmelo (Mariners’ No. 6 prospect) is back for a second taste of High-A after hitting .230 with 13 extra-base hits in 29 games last year. The tools are real — this is the kind of outfield prospect that shows up in Baseball America previews for a reason. Watch him turn on a fastball and you’ll understand why the Mariners are patient with his development.

    Felnin Celesten (No. 7) is another outfield piece getting High-A reps after showing flashes at the lower levels. Both he and Farmelo have the athleticism that makes even a routine defensive play worth watching.

    Luke Stevenson (No. 8) may be the most intriguing player on the roster. Selected 35th overall in the 2025 Draft out of UNC, Stevenson is a catcher — the hardest position to develop in baseball — who hit .280 with 23 walks in his professional debut at Single-A Modesto. Patient, high-IQ backstops who can hit are worth watching at every level. He drove in Everett’s first run of the home opener with a sacrifice fly. That’s the kind of small thing that tells you about a player’s makeup.

    Carlos Jimenez (No. 21) and right-hander Lucas Kelly (No. 29) round out the top-30 contingent. The pitching development story at Everett this year will be worth tracking all season.

    Some Bright Spots From the Rough Start

    Even in the blowout series, a few players showed up. Josh Caron went 2-for-4 in Opening Night and ripped a triple. Axel Sanchez also went 2-for-4. These are the kinds of individual performance moments that make minor league baseball fun even when the scoreboard isn’t cooperating — watching a kid fight for his at-bat when the game is already out of hand says something about what kind of player he’s going to be.

    The Rest of the Schedule Is Full of Reasons to Come Out

    The AquaSox play 66 home games this season, running all the way into September. The Northwest League schedule is packed with rival affiliates — Tri-City, Spokane, Vancouver, Hillsboro, Everett knows all of them. The Mariners’ top prospects will be churning through this roster all summer, and some of the players you watch on a Tuesday night in April will be in Safeco Field by September or next spring.

    Funko Field is also just a great place to watch baseball. It’s a short walk from downtown Everett, it’s affordable, and on a clear evening in June with the mountains out, there’s nowhere better to spend a Tuesday night in Snohomish County. Don’t let a rough first week of April keep you away.

    The Honest Take

    Yes, going 1-3 at home to open the year hurts a little, especially after a championship. And losing 17-2 on Opening Night in front of the home fans is embarrassing by any standard. The AquaSox need to sort out their pitching depth — six earned runs in under three innings from your starter is not acceptable even in April.

    But this is April baseball in the minors. A roster full of returning champions, five top-30 Mariners prospects, and a manager who’s talking about watching his players compete through adversity — that’s the foundation. The AquaSox are worth your attention all summer long. Come out when the weather breaks, bring the kids, and watch a future Mariner figure it out in real time. That’s the whole deal.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When do the AquaSox play their next home games?

    The AquaSox continue their home schedule at Funko Field throughout April. Check milb.com/everett for the full 2026 schedule and upcoming promotions.

    Where is Funko Field located?

    Funko Field (Everett Memorial Stadium) is located at 3802 Broadway in Everett, WA. It’s a short walk from downtown Everett.

    Which Seattle Mariners prospects are on the 2026 AquaSox roster?

    Five Mariners Top-30 prospects are on the 2026 roster: Jonny Farmelo (#6), Felnin Celesten (#7), Luke Stevenson (#8), Carlos Jimenez (#21), and Lucas Kelly (#29).

    Are the AquaSox still defending champions?

    Yes — the AquaSox won the 2025 Northwest League Championship. They returned 22 players from that championship squad to the 2026 roster.

    Who manages the AquaSox in 2026?

    Ryan Scott is the AquaSox manager for 2026. He also managed the 2025 championship team.

    How many home games do the AquaSox play at Funko Field?

    The AquaSox play 66 home games at Funko Field across the 2026 High-A Northwest League season, running from April through September.

  • AquaSox Home Opener Was Rough, But Here’s Why the 2026 Season Is Still Worth Getting Excited About

    AquaSox Home Opener Was Rough, But Here’s Why the 2026 Season Is Still Worth Getting Excited About

    Quick Answer: The Everett AquaSox opened their 2026 home schedule on April 7 with a tough 17-2 loss to the Tri-City Dust Devils. Don’t panic — this is the defending Northwest League champion team with five top-30 Mariners prospects, and one rough night doesn’t define a long season.

    Look, nobody said defending a championship was going to be easy. The Everett AquaSox opened their 2026 home schedule Tuesday night at Everett Memorial Stadium and ran into a buzzsaw — dropping their home opener to the Tri-City Dust Devils 17-2 in front of 1,414 fans. It was ugly. It was not representative of what this team is capable of. And if you’re an AquaSox fan, you already know: one game in April does not a season make.

    Here’s what actually matters as the AquaSox settle into their first homestand of 2026.

    What Happened Opening Night

    The numbers were rough. Tri-City jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings, extended it to 10-0 through three, and kept piling on. By the time the night was over, the Dust Devils had put up 17 runs against an AquaSox pitching staff that just didn’t have it on Tuesday.

    For Everett, the highlights were few but real. Josh Caron grounded a triple down the left-field line in the fourth inning — a reminder of the kind of contact hitters the AquaSox have on this roster. Luke Stevenson drove in the first AquaSox run with a sacrifice fly. And in the bottom of the eighth, Jonny Farmelo launched a 381-foot solo home run to make it 17-2.

    It’s a box score you’d rather forget. But before you write off this team, let’s talk about what they’re actually working with.

    The 2026 AquaSox Roster Is Stacked With Mariners Prospects

    The Everett AquaSox roster for 2026 is legitimately exciting for anyone who follows the Mariners’ farm system. This is a team built to compete — 22 returners from the 2025 Northwest League Championship squad, plus five of the Mariners’ Top-30 prospects and eight newcomers.

    Here’s who to watch this summer at Everett Memorial Stadium:

    Jonny Farmelo — Outfielder, Mariners No. 6 Prospect

    Farmelo is the name everyone in the Mariners system is talking about. A left-handed hitter with real power (that 381-foot blast on Opening Night was no fluke), he’s back in Everett for his second taste of High-A baseball after battling through an ACL tear in 2024 and a stress reaction in his ribs in 2025. In 29 games last year, he hit .230 with 13 extra-base hits and 16 RBIs. If he stays healthy in 2026, expect those numbers to look a lot better over a full season. He has the tools to move quickly through the system.

    Felnin Celesten — Shortstop, Mariners No. 7 Prospect

    Celesten is one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire Mariners organization — a switch-hitter at shortstop with serious upside. He got a brief taste of High-A last August (11 games), and now he’s back for a full season. The switch-hitting ability alone makes him valuable; add the defensive profile at short and you’ve got a guy who could be a key piece of Seattle’s future middle infield. Watch him closely in this homestand.

    Luke Stevenson — Catcher, Top-10 Prospect

    Stevenson drove in the AquaSox’s first run of the home season on Tuesday. He’s a catching prospect in the Mariners’ top 10 — a position where Seattle is actively building for the future. Behind the plate and at the dish, Stevenson is someone to follow all season long.

    Carlos Jimenez — Outfielder, Mariners No. 21 Prospect

    The 21st-ranked prospect in Seattle’s system, Jimenez adds another outfield bat to an already deep lineup. He’s one of the newcomers joining the returning championship core, and he’s coming in with something to prove.

    Lucas Kelly — Right-Handed Pitcher, Mariners No. 29 Prospect

    The Mariners need pitching depth like every organization does, and Kelly is one of the arms to watch this summer. On a night like Opening Night when the staff struggled, it’s easy to be critical — but over a full season, seeing how prospects like Kelly develop is exactly why you watch High-A baseball.

    22 Champions Are Back — And That Matters

    This isn’t a retooling project. Twenty-two players who won the 2025 Northwest League Championship are back in Everett uniforms this season. That’s continuity, that’s chemistry, and that’s a roster that already knows what it takes to win in the Northwest League.

    Defending champions in minor league baseball always carry a target on their back — opposing teams game-plan for them, and there’s added pressure every night. One blowout in a six-game series at home doesn’t change who this team is.

    For context: the AquaSox went 3-3 in their opening road series in Spokane before returning home. They picked up their first win of 2026 with a 3-2 victory over the Spokane Indians, powered by home runs from Josh Caron, Carter Dorighi, and Jonny Farmelo. The pitching showed its depth in that game, with Evan Truitt going 4.2 innings and Christian Little adding two shutout frames with five strikeouts.

    These guys can play ball.

    The 2026 Home Schedule: What’s Coming Up

    The AquaSox play Tri-City again through Sunday, April 12, at Everett Memorial Stadium. After that, they’ll continue the home schedule through the summer. Everett Memorial Stadium remains one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to watch live baseball — affordable tickets, a great atmosphere, and now a roster loaded with legitimate Mariners prospects worth tracking for years to come.

    Tickets and the full schedule are available at milb.com/everett.

    Tuesday was one bad night. The season is 132 games long. Come out to the ballpark and watch what this group can do when everything clicks — because with this much prospect talent, it’s going to be a fun summer in Everett.

    Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 AquaSox

    What was the AquaSox’s opening night result in 2026?

    The Everett AquaSox lost to the Tri-City Dust Devils 17-2 at Everett Memorial Stadium on April 7, 2026, in front of 1,414 fans. It was a tough start to the home season.

    Who are the top prospects on the 2026 AquaSox roster?

    The AquaSox have five Mariners Top-30 prospects: outfielder Jonny Farmelo (No. 6), shortstop Felnin Celesten (No. 7), catcher Luke Stevenson (top-10), outfielder Carlos Jimenez (No. 21), and pitcher Lucas Kelly (No. 29).

    How many returning players are on the 2026 AquaSox from the championship team?

    22 players from the 2025 Northwest League Championship squad are back on the 2026 AquaSox roster, along with 8 newcomers, for a total of 30 players.

    What league do the AquaSox play in?

    The Everett AquaSox compete in the Northwest League as the Seattle Mariners’ High-A affiliate in Minor League Baseball.

    How can I buy AquaSox tickets?

    Tickets are available at milb.com/everett. The AquaSox play at Everett Memorial Stadium Field in Everett, WA.

    When is the 2026 AquaSox home opener series?

    The AquaSox’s first home series runs April 7-12 against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Everett Memorial Stadium.

  • Everett’s Downtown Stadium Price Tag Climbs to $120M: What the $38M Gap Means for the AquaSox and USL Project

    Everett’s Downtown Stadium Price Tag Climbs to $120M: What the $38M Gap Means for the AquaSox and USL Project

    Q: What is the current cost estimate for the Everett downtown stadium?
    A: As of early 2026, the Everett Outdoor Event Center is estimated to cost $120 million — up $38 million from the previous estimate — with construction now targeted for 2027 and games beginning in 2028.

    Everett’s Downtown Stadium Price Tag Climbs to $120M: What the $38M Gap Means for the AquaSox and USL Project

    We have been following the Everett Outdoor Event Center closely since the city first committed to the concept, and the latest numbers deserve an honest look. Documents shared with city council members in January 2026 and reported publicly in February revealed that the stadium’s estimated cost has grown to $120 million — about $38 million more than the estimate from last May. That is not a rounding error. It is a real funding challenge that the city, the AquaSox, and prospective soccer tenants now have to solve before a shovel goes in the ground.

    Here is where things stand as of April 2026, and what we think matters most about the path forward.

    How Did the Cost Jump by $38 Million?

    The short answer: construction costs have gone up across the board, and the stadium project is not immune. The city’s original financial model anticipated a cost significantly below $120 million, with a planned $40 million in revenue bonds — paid off by the stadium’s own revenue stream — providing the bulk of the funding. State contributions, Snohomish County dollars, and commitments from both the Everett AquaSox and the prospective United Soccer League (USL) teams were also part of the mix.

    That plan still exists. But the new $38 million gap has to be closed before the city council can formally approve the project. City staff are clear about the sequencing: find the funding, finalize the lease agreements with the teams, negotiate the property purchase at the site, and then bring it to council for approval. The council cannot move forward until those three conditions are met.

    The Site and What Gets Built There

    The planned location is downtown Everett, with most of the block between the site boundaries — except the buildings fronting Hewitt Avenue — slated for demolition to clear the footprint. Twenty-eight privately owned parcels make up most of that block, and property acquisition is part of the pre-construction work the city needs to complete.

    The design-build team is DLR Group and Bayley Construction, selected through the city’s Progressive Design-Build (PDB) process. As of early 2026, the design is at roughly 60 percent completion. The full plan and budget — the version that actually goes to council — is expected to be ready soon, with the city’s stated goal of having the stadium ready for baseball by April 2027. Following the funding news, city staff placed the revised construction start in 2027, pushing the opening to 2028 for both baseball and soccer.

    Mayor Franklin’s Take: Momentum and a Funding Plan Coming

    Mayor Cassie Franklin addressed the stadium directly at her March 5, 2026 State of the City address inside the New Everett Theater on Colby Avenue. The speech leaned into the city’s broader momentum — crime reduction, housing growth, annexation plans — with the stadium cited as a symbol of downtown revitalization. On the funding gap, the mayor signaled that a formal funding plan is coming to council soon, with an emphasis on private-public partnership dollars as the preferred first approach.

    The city is working first with private investors — regional businesses and corporations — plus public agencies to find as much non-city funding as possible. If that falls short, additional city bonds are on the table to fill whatever gap remains. The editorial board of the Everett Herald has weighed in supporting the effort to fund the project, and the Everett Chamber of Commerce has issued formal support. There is also community pushback: a piece in the Snohomish County Tribune argued that taxpayer funding for a minor league stadium is not the right use of public dollars. That debate is real, and the council will have to navigate it.

    The AquaSox and USL Dimension

    The stadium is designed to serve both the Everett AquaSox (Minor League Baseball, an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners) and potentially both a men’s and women’s United Soccer League team. The AquaSox currently play at Funko Field at Everett Memorial Stadium, which was built in the 1960s and has aged considerably. A new downtown facility would represent a major upgrade for the franchise and for fans.

    The USL angle is compelling from an economic standpoint: dual-sport use expands the number of event days the facility can generate revenue, which directly improves the financial model underlying the revenue bonds. More event days means stronger debt service coverage, which means the bonds are a safer bet. That is why both sports tenants matter to the funding math, not just the fan experience.

    What We Are Watching

    There are several decision points ahead that will determine whether this stadium actually gets built on the current timeline:

    The council presentation: City staff have committed to presenting a formal funding plan to council soon. That presentation will include how the $38 million gap is proposed to be closed — and whether private investment dollars materialize, or whether additional city bonds are needed.

    Property acquisition: The city needs to negotiate the purchase of 28 privately owned parcels. That process involves appraisals, negotiations, and potentially condemnation proceedings if sellers do not agree on price. Timeline uncertainty here is real.

    Lease agreements: The AquaSox and USL tenants need signed lease agreements before the project can move to council. Those negotiations are ongoing.

    Design completion: The 60 percent design milestone needs to reach 100 percent, with a budget that the city and its design-build team can both commit to. Any further cost escalation at this stage could reopen the funding math again.

    Is This Stadium Still Happening?

    We think the honest answer is: probably yes, but on a compressed timeline with real funding risk. The political will exists — the mayor is behind it, the chamber is behind it, the council has already approved $4.8 million in stadium spending to get to this point. The question is whether the private investment dollars materialize quickly enough to keep the 2027-2028 construction and opening timeline intact.

    If the private funding effort comes up short and the city has to go to additional bonds, that will face a political test with the council and with the public. Everett voters and taxpayers are paying attention. The Herald editorial support helps, but so does the Tribune’s skepticism — it represents a real constituency.

    What we know for certain: the stadium as designed, at $120 million, would be a transformative piece of downtown Everett’s physical fabric. Whether the city can close the gap and break ground in 2027 is the story we will be tracking all year.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much does the Everett downtown stadium cost?

    The latest estimate as of early 2026 is $120 million — approximately $38 million more than the estimate from May 2025.

    When will the Everett stadium be built?

    City staff have placed construction in 2027, with baseball and soccer games targeted to begin in 2028. The previous goal of opening for April 2027 baseball has been pushed back.

    Who is the design-build team for the Everett stadium?

    DLR Group and Bayley Construction were selected through the city’s Progressive Design-Build process.

    What teams will play in the new Everett stadium?

    The Everett AquaSox (Minor League Baseball, Seattle Mariners affiliate) and potentially both men’s and women’s United Soccer League teams.

    Where will the Everett stadium be built?

    In downtown Everett. Most of a city block — 28 privately owned parcels — will be demolished, except for buildings fronting Hewitt Avenue.

    How will the $38 million funding gap be filled?

    The city plans to seek private investment first (regional businesses and corporations), then public agency contributions. If those fall short, additional city revenue bonds are on the table. A formal funding plan presentation to the city council is forthcoming.

    See also: Everett’s $120M Stadium Gap: What Needs to Happen Before Ground Breaks | What the Stadium Means for Downtown Business Owners | Visitor’s Guide to Everett’s Planned Stadium