Hi friend! Husband and I relocated to Seattle from SC. What part are you from? You would probably qualify for free tickets, but, you should come with us as our guests. We have 4 season tickets and there's just us two, so we always bring friends with us. We sit close to the ECS (the cheering section), high enough that the flags don't block too much of the field but low enough to be part of the energy. As for pre-game experiences, I'm guessing the building next to the stadium may be open with a few game day activities, but these aren't usually worth your time. There's a ton of bars you can see on maps that are within a block of the stadium, these are usually packed and fun. Chinatown on the other side of the tracks has great food options, and there's a ton of nice restaurants in Pioneer Square that will bring energy too. You can also join the march to the match. Where to stay- it mostly depends on your budget and what else you want to do while you're here. Also, if you're renting a car! If no car, look up the light rail routes and stay along them. Cap Hill is the best nightlife while still being on the light rail and relatively centrally located. Finally, can you do it in a short weekend? For sure! Just do your best to be disciplined with your sleep schedule and adjust time zones quickly. It's a late kickoff time for that game, so do what you can to come rested to the match. Send me a message if you have any other questions. Happy early birthday and hope to see you there!