VenuesNow 2026 All-Star Honoree: Zach Hensley

Zach Hensley
Vice President of Operations / General Manager of Lumen Field
Seattle Seahawks / First & Goal

LICENSE TO THRIVE
“The Beastie Boys said it best, ‘Be true to yourself and you will never fall.’”

2026 In A Nutshell
“2026 has been an incredible year for the Seattle Seahawks and Lumen Field. We began the year by hosting the NFC Divisional Round and NFC Championship Game, followed by a Super Bowl Championship Parade that kicked off at our stadium. From there, we transitioned directly into preparation for the FIFA World Cup, culminating in the successful hosting of six World Cup matches on the global stage. I am also extremely proud of the recognition Lumen Field and Seattle have received over the past year. Recently, Lumen Field was ranked the No. 1 NFL Stadium by USA Today, and during the FIFA World Cup, The Athletic ranked Lumen Field and Seattle as the top World Cup host venue.”

What were the biggest challenges you faced over the past year?
“One of our biggest challenges over the past year was maintaining business continuity with having three tenants in the Seahawks, Sounders FC and Reign FC while also focusing on driving live entertainment events in the WAMU Theater and Lumen Field. Additionally, focusing on maximizing event profitability while simultaneously executing millions of dollars in capital improvements tied to the FIFA World Cup and preparing for the upcoming NFL season. The challenge was not simply completing the projects, but doing so without disrupting the guest experience, impacting event operations, or sacrificing financial performance.”

New Tech For The 12s
“We are continually investing in technology that reduces friction and improves convenience for the 12s (the Seahawks’ passionate, deafening fans) and all guests at Lumen Field. We were the first NFL stadium to implement Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology and have since expanded it to 15 locations across the venue, including 13 food and beverage locations and two RFID-powered retail stores. We have also partnered with EXO to expand our RFID capabilities and with MyVenue to enhance assisted checkout and streamline the guest journey.”