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Climate Pledge Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is located north of downtown Seattle in the 74-acre (30 ha) entertainment complex known as the Seattle Center, the site of the 1962 World's Fair,[10] for which it was originally developed. After opening in 1962, it was subsequently bought and converted by the city of Seattle for entertainment purposes. From 2018 to 2021, the arena underwent a $1.15 billion redevelopment;[11][12][13] the renovation preserved the original exterior and roof, which was declared a Seattle Landmark in 2017 and was listed on the Washington Heritage Register as well as the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.[14][15][9] The renovated venue has a capacity of 17,151 for ice hockey and 18,300 for basketball.[1]

Key Information

The arena is currently the home to the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), PWHL Seattle of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), the Seattle University Redhawks men's basketball team, and the Rat City Roller Derby league of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association.[16][17] It has also played host to the Pac-12 Conference's women's basketball tournament. Climate Pledge Arena is sometimes considered the oldest arena in the NHL due to the age of the original structure.[18]

The arena was previously most notable as the long-time former home of the Seattle SuperSonics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The SuperSonics first played at the facility, then known as the Seattle Center Coliseum, from their founding in 1967 to 1978. After a seven-season stint in the higher capacity Kingdome, they returned to the arena in 1985. The facility underwent an extensive renovation after the 1993–94 season, which necessitated the relocation of SuperSonics home games to the Tacoma Dome for the 1994–95 season,[19] and it was renamed KeyArena after KeyCorp bought the naming rights in 1995. The SuperSonics left KeyArena in 2008 amid a controversial relocation to Oklahoma City. The arena was also known for hosting minor professional hockey teams, first as home to the Seattle Totems of the original Western Hockey League and the Central Hockey League from 1964 to 1975, followed by the Seattle Thunderbirds of the current Western Hockey League from 1989 to 2008.

The arena was the first publicly financed one in the area that was fully supported by earned income from the building.[20] Arena finances were bolstered for several years by a payment following the settlement with the SuperSonics in 2008, but the lower level of activity and revenue during the time between the departure of the Sonics and the arrival of the Kraken left little reserve beyond basic building maintenance.[21] The naming rights deal with KeyCorp concluded at the end of 2010, but the building maintained the KeyArena name until its 2018 closure for the redevelopment. Amazon bought the naming rights to the arena in June 2020, dedicating the arena name to bringing attention to climate change,[22] specifically the pledge promoted by the advocacy group Global Optimism for businesses to reach net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2040.

History

[edit]

Seattle Center Coliseum

[edit]
The structure under construction in 1961

The arena opened in 1962 as the Washington State Pavilion for the Century 21 Exposition, the work of architect Paul Thiry. After the close of the Exposition, the Pavilion was purchased by the city of Seattle for $2.9 million and underwent an 18-month conversion into the Washington State Coliseum, one of the centerpieces of the new Seattle Center on the former Exposition grounds. When the newly renovated Coliseum opened, the Seattle University men's basketball team became the arena's first major tenant. In 1964, the facility was renamed the Seattle Center Coliseum. That same year, the Seattle Totems moved into the Coliseum.[23] The Coliseum became home to its most famous resident, the Seattle SuperSonics, beginning with their inaugural season in 1967 and remaining as host throughout most of the team's lifetime.[24]

Seattle Center Coliseum at night, circa 1963

The Coliseum in this incarnation hosted two NBA Finals, in 1978 and 1979, both between the Washington Bullets and SuperSonics. The Bullets won in 1978, prevailing in game 7 in Seattle. The Sonics retaliated the following year, winning in Game 5 on the Bullets' home court, thus capturing the franchise's only championship while based in Seattle. Upon the opening of the new Kingdome in 1976, which first hosted the Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL) and the Sounders of the North American Soccer League (NASL), followed by the expansion Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1977, the Sonics would begin playing a small number of home games at the stadium. For the championship 1978–79 NBA season, the basketball club moved into the Kingdome full-time. They would call it home through the 1984–85 season, after which the team returned to the Coliseum. During those seven years, the Sonics would occasionally play home playoff games at the Coliseum or Hec Edmundson Pavilion so as to not interfere with the Mariners' regular season home schedule. They would continue to play occasional games at the Kingdome through the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The arena hosted the NBA All-Star Game once, in 1974; the 1987 game had included NBA All-Star Saturday festivities on February 7, where former Sonics star "Downtown Freddie" Brown was the MVP of the legends game, Boston Celtics star Larry Bird won the three-point contest, and Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan won the slam-dunk competition.[25] The NBA All-Star Game itself for 1987 in Seattle was held at the Kingdome.

The arena hosted the basketball competitions of the Goodwill Games in 1990.[26]

In 1983, Barry Ackerley, head of the Washington, D.C.-based television, radio, and billboard company Ackerley Communications Inc., purchased the Sonics from long-time owner Sam Schulman. In the mid-to-late 1980s, the team's on-court success would decline. This was coupled with a sub-par home court experience at the Coliseum, which included the NBA's lone rain delayed game on January 5, 1986, when rain water leaked from the roof onto the court as the Sonics played the Phoenix Suns.[27][28] Timeouts were called so ball boys armed with towels could do their best to wipe up the puddles, but even so, two players slipped and fell on the wet surface. Early in the second quarter, referee Mike Mathis suspended the game with the Suns up by 11 points.[29] The game was resumed from that point the following night, and Phoenix won by 17.[30]

Ackerley began exploring new options for an arena. Heavy relocation rumors began to circulate, amongst them a potential move to San Diego[31] or possible sales to groups in other markets like Milwaukee or Toronto. In 2018, Ackerley's son Chris would say that the family was always committed to keeping the team in Seattle, and that "[...] in each case, we stood on our principles that this is a Seattle community asset."[32]

Potential replacement by arena in SoDo

[edit]

In 1990, the Ackerleys talked about building an arena east of Lake Washington near Bellevue Square.[33] They would eventually purchase land in the SoDo district near the Kingdome, some of which includes the site that would later become the Mariners' home, T-Mobile Park. Ackerley approached the city about a public contribution to the new arena, but the city was reluctant over fears the city-owned Coliseum would become obsolete. They offered to help finance a renovation of the Coliseum, but the team owner declined. To sweeten the offer, Ackerley sold city leaders on the idea that the new arena in SoDo could also attract a National Hockey League club. The city, along with Denver, had been conditionally granted an expansion NHL franchise in 1974 to begin play in the 1976–77 season. The NHL briefly flirted with relocating the Pittsburgh Penguins to Seattle (and the California Golden Seals to Denver) to address a troubled market and fill the expansion commitment, but ultimately kept the team there. Eventually, the Seattle franchise award was rescinded altogether when the potential ownership group was unable to secure the funds for the expansion fee.

In July 1990, the city council approved a deal for a privately owned $100 million facility to be built on the Ackerley land in SoDo, despite objections over traffic and parking by the Seahawks and Mariners in the neighboring Kingdome.[34] The city's contribution would be to waive about $31 million in tax revenues (about $1 million per year) to potentially be collected on admissions fees at the new arena. It would also pay $2 million for street improvements around the proposed site, including a pedestrian walkway over South Royal Brougham Way. Ackerley also agreed to sign a 30-year lease for the Sonics and to build an 1,800-stall parking garage. Ackerley appeased the Seahawks' concerns, noting the arena would be empty during any NFL games. The Mariners unsuccessfully continued to object, even enlisting then-MLB commissioner Fay Vincent and then-American League president Bobby Brown to speak before the council ahead of their final vote.[35]

During negotiations, Ackerley had asked for a provision to reduce the seating at the Coliseum by 9,000 seats so the older arena could not compete with the new building, but the city would not agree. Another selling point of the new arena were luxury suites, a means to attract corporate money and sponsorship that was then an emerging new revenue stream for sports team owners. Ackerley's financing and agreement with the city hinged on the ability to sell the 70 proposed luxury suites.[36]

Ackerley also committed to submitting an expansion application to the NHL by a September 15, 1990, deadline as part of the arena deal. His son Bill would head the expansion effort, while a competing group led by Microsoft executive Chris Larson and former Seattle Totems player then coach Bill MacFarland was preparing their own application. With the Ackerley application already submitted, the two groups would merge with Larson and MacFarland being primary points of contact with the NHL. Then owner of the Thunderbirds, Bill Yuill, also joined the group. Larson and MacFarland, along with Barry Ackerley and Bill Lear, Ackerley's financial advisor, were set to make a presentation to the NHL's Board of Governors on December 5, 1990. At the meeting, Ackerley and Lear asked to meet with the board first, promptly withdrew their application, and left. Larson and MacFarland were stunned to learn of the development but were unable to pursue any recourse as their names were never on the submitted application.[37][38]

Thought to play a factor in Ackerley's decision were the significant demands by the NHL for an expansion team: a $50 million expansion fee that was more than any NHL club was valued at the time; a $5 million down payment that would be forfeited if 10,000 season tickets were not sold in the first year – the Sonics had never sold more than 9,000 season tickets; season tickets needed to produce at least $9 million annually, which would've made the tickets the second most expensive for a team in the area at the time; a 20-year lease with a "substantial" share of arena revenues from concessions, parking, and ad signage; priority status for postseason arena dates; and a secured $5 million line of credit in case the league had to take over ownership of the team at any point. Ackerley would not sacrifice Sonics revenues for a hockey team in which he would be a minority investor.[39]

In June 1991, nearly a year after the city agreed to the arena deal, Ackerley announced that the project would not move forward. Increasing project costs, legal disputes, and inability to secure construction financing were cited as reasons to drop the project. Only around 30 of the 70 luxury suites were sold and the Ackerleys were unable to find a corporate buyer for naming rights. Ackerley Communications profits were down, which also contributed to the financing difficulties. A state Supreme Court case brought by Seattle Center employees challenged the constitutionality of the arena deal, while potential lawsuits from the Mariners and trade show organizers and possible legal challenges to environmental review of the project loomed.[36]

Rebirth as KeyArena

[edit]
KeyArena in 2008

Newly elected Seattle mayor Norm Rice was concerned over a loss of concerts and events to cities with larger, more modern facilities, and the strong possibility the city could lose the Sonics. The mayor believed that sports unite a community and that Seattle Center would continue to serve as a valuable hub for tourism. At his insistence, a Center commission developed a plan to renovate the Coliseum by excavating the floor to lower it and build a new bowl with more seating. The Ackerleys turned down the renovation concept in favor of building their own arena in SoDo. Though the city preferred the renovation, they would reluctantly agree to the new arena plan. After the SoDo proposal fell through, the Ackerleys attempted to find other investors to no avail. Barry Ackerley would return to the city to ask if they would still consider renovating the Coliseum.

Interior of KeyArena when it served as the home of the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder)

With renewed interest on all sides, including the city council, the city spent $250,000 studying if it was even environmentally and engineeringly feasible to dig into the ground beneath the building. The plan proved possible and it was found that the compression ring holding the roof could be preserved, saving $15 million in cost and keeping the facility seismically sound against earthquakes. The original cable-suspended roof would be replaced by a conventional fixed roof with steel trusses that would preserve the well-known shape.

The project had an estimated cost of $73.4 million, considerably less than other new arenas of the time in Portland and Vancouver, to be paid with the city's bond capacity. A new kitchen and support building, a parking garage on 1st Avenue N, a new team store, and a tunnel connecting the store to the arena brought the total cost to nearly $127.3 million. New amenities would include 22 concession stands, eight portable stands with vending in the seating, three private sports clubs, and a public sports bar and restaurant. Club-level seating with 1,100 seats would also offer exclusive club, concession, and lounge areas, and a private concourse with 58 luxury suites would also be added.

A mandate of the project was that no taxpayer funds could be used to pay for it. This brought concern from the Ackerleys, but after nearly a year of negotiations a revenue sharing plan was developed. The city and the team would split revenues from suites, concessions, and other items all within the arena to service the debt for the city and provide income to the team. The arena would be the first to finance itself by use of the arena. In May 1993, the city council voted 7–2 in favor of the deal with the Sonics signing a 15-year lease agreement and a guaranteed income of $7 million per year during the lease. The agreement was initially turned down in council committee in the hopes of negotiating a 20-year lease with an increased guaranteed income of $9 million per year starting in year 15. The Ackerleys declined these changes.

Panorama of the former interior of KeyArena

The Coliseum was rebuilt between 1994 and 1995, bringing the arena up to the NBA standards of the day. The local Seattle office of NBBJ, the second largest architectural firm in the country, was chosen as the architects.[40][6] In an unusual move, the Coliseum would be closed for a year during the renovation. Construction began on June 16, 1994.[10] During the 1994–95 season, the SuperSonics played their home games at the multi-purpose Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, about thirty miles (50 km) south.[19]

On April 11, 1995, the city sold the naming rights to Cleveland-based KeyCorp, the parent of KeyBank, which renamed the Coliseum as KeyArena.[41] The renovation cost the city of Seattle $74.5 million and the SuperSonics approximately $21 million. The naming rights cost KeyCorp $15.1 million.

KeyArena's former ice hockey seating configuration

The remodeled arena maintained the architectural integrity of the original roofline by using the existing steel trusses in combination with four new main diagonal trusses. The wood, steel and concrete from the demolition was either reused in construction of the new arena or sold to recyclers. The original acoustical panels, the panels attached to the roof that keep the space from echoing, were refurbished and reused. The court was lowered 35 feet (11 m) below street level to allow for 3,000 more seats. The doors opened to the newly renovated arena on October 26, 1995. The sightlines, however, benefitted the SuperSonics at the expense of the junior Thunderbirds. The floor was just barely large enough to fit a regulation ice rink. Many seats in the lower level were so badly obstructed that almost half the lower level was curtained off for T-Birds games. The new scoreboard was significantly off-center in the ice hockey configuration, hanging over one blue line instead of the center-ice faceoff circle.

The first regular season game for the SuperSonics at the rechristened KeyArena was played on November 4, 1995, against the Los Angeles Lakers.[42] The renovated arena hosted the 1996 NBA Finals in its first season, when the SuperSonics lost to the Chicago Bulls in six games.

SuperSonics relocation controversy

[edit]
Main article: Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City
Last Sonics game in 2008

In 2001, ownership of the Seattle SuperSonics (who had called KeyArena home on-and-off since their establishment in 1967) transferred from Barry Ackerley to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. Schultz claimed that in the five years he owned the SuperSonics, the team suffered heavy financial losses, which led him to seek funding from the Washington State Legislature for a newer, more modern arena. After failing to reach an agreement with the city of Seattle over a publicly funded $220 million expansion of KeyArena, the Basketball Club of Seattle, led by Schultz, put the SuperSonics and its sister team, the WNBA's Seattle Storm up for sale. After failing to find a local ownership group to sell the team to, Schultz talked to ownership groups from Kansas City, St. Louis, Las Vegas, San Jose and Anaheim before agreeing to sell the team on July 18, 2006 [43][44] to an ownership group from Oklahoma City, who was pursuing an NBA franchise after hosting the New Orleans Hornets franchise successfully for two seasons as the city of New Orleans rebuilt from Hurricane Katrina. The sale to Clay Bennett's ownership group, Professional Basketball Club LLC (PBC) for $350 million[43][44] was approved by NBA owners on October 24, 2006.[45][46][47] Terms of the sale required the new ownership group to "use good faith best efforts" for a term of 12 months in securing a new arena lease or venue in the Seattle metropolitan area.

In 2006, 74% of voters in Seattle voted to pass Initiative 91,[48][49] a measure that prohibited use of tax dollars on arena projects in the city unless it could be shown the city would turn a profit on their investment.[50] The limitation of tax dollars that could be spent on the arena, combined with earlier losses under recent ownership groups, "likely doomed the Sonics' future in the city".[49]

On February 12, 2007, Bennett proposed using tax money to pay for a new $500 million arena in Renton, a suburb of Seattle.[51] After failing to reach a deal by the end of the legislative session, Bennett gave up his attempt in April 2007.[52] On November 2, 2007, the team announced it would move to Oklahoma City as soon as it could get out of its KeyArena lease.[53] Seattle's mayor, Greg Nickels, maintained a stance that the Sonics were expected to stay in Seattle until their lease expired in 2010 and said the city did not intend to make it easy for Bennett to move the team early. Over concerns the city would accept a buyout of the lease, a grassroots group filed a citywide initiative that sought to prevent the city from accepting such an offer from Bennett's group.[54] Seattle City Council later unanimously passed an ordinance modeled after the initiative.[55] On August 13, 2007, Aubrey McClendon, a minor partner of Bennett's ownership group, said in an interview with The Journal Record (an Oklahoma City newspaper) that the team was not purchased to keep it in Seattle but to relocate it to Oklahoma City. Bennett later denied such intentions, saying McClendon "was not speaking on behalf of the ownership group". Due to his comments, McClendon was fined $250,000 by the NBA.[56]

On October 31, 2007, Bennett informed NBA commissioner David Stern that the ownership group intended to move the Sonics to Oklahoma City as soon as it was legally possible. The timing of the announcement, one day after the Sonics' home opener, drew critical comments from Tom Carr, Seattle's attorney, who said "Mr. Bennett's announcement today is a transparent attempt to alienate the Seattle fan base and follow through on his plan to move the team to Oklahoma City ... Making this move now continues the current ownership's insulting behavior toward the Sonics' dedicated fans and the citizens of the city."[57] Bennett also reiterated that the team was not for sale and dismissed attempts by local groups to repurchase the team.[53]

On September 23, 2007, the City of Seattle filed a lawsuit in an attempt to keep the Sonics from leaving before the end of their lease in 2010.[58] In the midst of the lawsuit, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer offered to pay half of a $300 million renovation of KeyArena; the rest to be provided by the city and county.[59] However, when the state legislature did not give approval for the county to provide funds by an April 10 deadline, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said that the effort had failed and the city's hopes rested in its lawsuit.[60]

The last SuperSonics game played at KeyArena was on April 13, 2008, a 99–95 win over the Dallas Mavericks.[61]

The NBA Board of Governors approved the relocation of the Sonics on April 18, 2008.[62]

On June 16, 2008, the grassroots organization "Save Our Sonics" organized a well-publicized rally, which reportedly drew over 3,000 participants, at the U.S. District Courthouse in Seattle to protest the proposed relocation of the team.[63] The rally was held on the first day of the city of Seattle's lawsuit against the PBC to enforce the remaining two years on the KeyArena lease.

On July 2, 2008, two hours before a ruling in the city's lawsuit was to be given, it was announced that the team and the city had reached a settlement where PBC would pay the city $45 million immediately in exchange for breaking the lease, and an additional $30 million if Seattle was not given a replacement team in five years. According to the conditions of the settlement, the Sonics' name and colors could not be used by the team in Oklahoma City, but could be taken by a future team in Seattle, although no promises for a replacement team were given. The newly renamed Oklahoma City Thunder would retain the franchise history of the SuperSonics, which could be "shared" with any future NBA team in Seattle.[64][65] The team moved to Oklahoma City immediately and announced it would begin play in the 2008–09 season.[66][67]

KeyArena after the Sonics

[edit]

Once KeyArena lost the SuperSonics and the Thunderbirds, who moved in 2008 as well, to nearby Kent, there was speculation that KeyBank may try to amend the naming rights deal.[68] In March 2009, the city and KeyCorp signed a new deal for a two-year term ending December 31, 2010, at an annual fee of $300,000.[41]

In 2009, the Seattle University Redhawks men's basketball team began playing their home games at KeyArena for the first time since 1980. In February 2009, the Seattle City Council approved a new 10-year lease that would keep the WNBA's Storm at KeyArena.[69]

In 2009, the arena hosted the WWE No Way Out pay-per-view event. WWE returned on March 9, 2010, to tape the March 9 episode of NXT and March 12 episode of SmackDown. They would return a year later to host the WWE Over the Limit pay-per-view on May 22, 2011. In April 2011, the Professional Bull Riders brought the Built Ford Tough Series to KeyArena for the first time.[70]

Between June 28 and 30, 2011, the arena hosted the Seattle audition stages in the first season of the Fox singer search program The X Factor.

On January 21, 2011, Seattle Center announced that KeyCorp would not renew its agreement for naming rights of KeyArena, after 15 years of sponsorship. However, the venue retained the KeyArena name until its redevelopment, despite the fact that the naming right had expired.[71]

In January 2012, ESPN.com reporter Scott Burnside said KeyArena "would be entirely acceptable", as a temporary venue for an NHL franchise, depending on a future arena plan.[72] The Phoenix Coyotes were often speculated to be a likely candidate for relocation and in June 2013, reports circulated that if the NHL could not negotiate a new lease for the Coyotes with the city of Glendale, Arizona, by July 2, the league would sell the team to a private investment group which would then be given permission to relocate the team to Seattle prior to the 2013–2014 season and use KeyArena as a temporary home.[73] On July 2, the city of Glendale, Arizona approved a new lease for the Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena, and soon after, the NHL approved the sale of the Coyotes to an investment group that would keep the Coyotes in the Phoenix area, eliminating the possibility that the Coyotes could move to Seattle.

Conversely, in February 2012, SB Nation columnist Travis Hughes said that while it made "too much sense" for the NHL not to put a team in Seattle in the future, KeyArena was completely unsuitable even as a temporary facility due to the same problems with sight lines that ultimately forced the Thunderbirds to move out. Hughes wrote that even one year of NHL hockey in an arena where half the lower bowl sat unused would be "just unacceptable." He argued that the situation would be even worse than what the Coyotes faced at America West Arena, their original home in Phoenix. When the Coyotes played there from 1996 to 2003, they had to deal with seats where part of the ice could not be seen at all, forcing them to curtain off several thousand seats in the upper level.[74]

League officials later hinted that a new arena would have to be in place before a new or relocated NHL team came to Seattle. During the 2012 All-Star Weekend, Bettman said that while Seattle was a good fit for the NHL, "there's no building."[74] Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said that KeyArena would be "a difficult arena for hockey" due to the large number of obstructed-view seats.[75]

In February 2012, KING 5 reporter Chris Daniels said an NBA team could also use KeyArena as a temporary home.[76]

In July 2012, at a public town hall meeting debating Chris Hansen's proposed NBA/NHL arena in downtown Seattle, anti-arena proponents wanted to "re-explore" using KeyArena instead of the proposed site downtown.[77]

From 2014 to 2017, American video game developer Valve hosted The International, the world championship for Dota 2 eSports, at the venue, which featured prize pools of over $20 million in 2016 and 2017.[78][79][80] TI returned to the venue in 2023.

The arena hosted early rounds of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 1999, 2015, and 2025.

On September 16, 2016, the arena hosted the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions.[81]

Roger Federer organized a tennis exhibition match at KeyArena with Match for Africa 4, held on April 29, 2017. Two matches were played, the first a doubles match pitting Roger Federer and Bill Gates against John Isner and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, and a singles match featuring Federer and Isner. More than $2 million was raised for the Roger Federer Foundation from the match's proceeds.[82]

On October 5, 2018, the Golden State Warriors played against the Sacramento Kings in a preseason game at KeyArena, the same arena where Kevin Durant played previously with the Sonics. The game was mostly played to celebrate its moments with the NBA and ended up being its final event as the KeyArena before the arena closed down for redevelopment.[83][84]

Redevelopment into Climate Pledge Arena, arrival of the Kraken

[edit]
Arena under renovation in August 2019

In October 2016, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced that the city would seek proposals to redevelop KeyArena into an NBA and NHL ready venue, issuing a full request for proposal in January. This came after the rejection of the new arena proposed in SoDo by Seattle City Council over the street vacation of Occidental Avenue.[85]

Two groups, Seattle Partners (led by AEG and Hudson Pacific Properties) and the Oak View Group (led by former AEG CEO Tim Leiweke), submitted proposals to the city in April 2017 to redevelop the arena, also securing corporate partnerships and seeking the support of the NHL.[86] Both groups were required to submit an additional proposal to preserve the arena's roof, which the city planned to submit for municipal landmark status. AEG unveiled a $520 million proposal that would extend the roofline over presently underutilized space on the arena's south end. Oak View Group submitted a $564 million proposal that would lower the arena's bowl 15 feet (4.6 m) within the existing roof structure.[87] On June 7, 2017, the city selected OVG as the preferred bidder for the redevelopment.[88] The landmark status of the arena's exterior, including the roof, was approved by a city-appointed landmarks preservation board on August 2, 2017;[89] the exterior was subsequently listed on the Washington Heritage Register on March 8, 2018, and on the National Register of Historic Places on May 10.[15][90]

On December 4, 2017, the city council approved a memorandum of understanding with OVG to rebuild the arena by 2020. The approval came days after the previous memorandum with the SODO Arena had expired.[91] Four days after the approval of the MOU, the NHL gave the Oak View Group approval to submit an application for an expansion franchise in Seattle. The arena would be closed for two years, and the last remaining professional sports team tenant, the WNBA's Seattle Storm, would plan to move elsewhere in the Seattle metropolitan area during those two years. The team played its usual summer schedule at KeyArena in 2018, beginning in mid-May and continuing through the playoffs in early September; they ultimately won the 2018 WNBA Finals.[92][93] During the renovation, the Storm played most of their home games at the Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on the campus of the University of Washington,[94] with other games at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.[95]

Mayor Jenny Durkan and others celebrating after she signed legislation authorizing the arena renovation

On September 25, 2018, the proposed $700 million renovation of KeyArena was approved unanimously 8–0 by the Seattle City Council and signed into legislation by mayor Jenny Durkan.[96] The NHL Board of Governors voted to approve an expansion team for Seattle on December 4, 2018.[97] Redevelopment commenced the next day on December 5.[98] In mid-December 2018, OVG announced that overall project costs had increased to between $825 and $850 million. Although some design changes and additions had contributed to the increase in cost, OVG replaced the general contractor, Skanska Hunt, with Mortenson Construction.[99]

With the closing of the arena in October 2018 to begin redevelopment, the City of Seattle, Seattle Center, and Oak View Group retired the KeyArena name and officially adopted Seattle Center Arena as the name for the project.[100] It was alternately referred to as the New Arena at Seattle Center.[101][102] In February 2018, it was reported that six interested parties had approached OVG regarding naming rights for the new arena.[103] Alaska Airlines was announced as the naming sponsor of the south atrium in January 2020.[104] On June 25, 2020, Amazon purchased the naming rights; the arena would be branded as Climate Pledge Arena to promote Amazon's partnership with the environmental advocacy group Global Optimism and its "Climate Pledge", under which companies sign up to make their operations carbon neutral by 2040.[105][106] The renovated arena received carbon-neutral certification, uses rainwater for its hockey ice, and aims to source 75% of food locally, divert 95% of waste from landfills, donate unused food, and switched from plastic to compostable containers.[106][105]

The rooftop signage for KeyArena was removed by a helicopter on July 8, 2020.[107] The replacement signage was installed on December 5, 2020.[108] During redevelopment, the arena's existing roof was "detached from 20 original concrete Y-columns and four gigantic buttresses that previously supported it", being held up by "72 temporary steel columns, cross-beams and a steel reinforcement structure called a kickstand.” During the excavation of the arena bowl, 600,000 cubic yards of dirt were removed, and the structure was then built upwards to connect with the roof.[109]

Climate Pledge Arena was opened to the public on October 19, 2021, by a Foo Fighters and Death Cab for Cutie concert for local charities.[110] The first scheduled event, a sold-out Coldplay concert, took place three days later on the 22nd.[111] The first sports event at the renovated arena, a Seattle Kraken regular season game, took place on October 23 against the Vancouver Canucks. Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn scored the first NHL goal in the arena and the game ended in a 4–2 Kraken loss to the Canucks.[112] The first Kraken win at the arena was on October 26, a 5–1 victory against the Montreal Canadiens. On May 6, 2022, the Seattle Storm played their first game at the redeveloped arena against the Minnesota Lynx, winning 97–74. For the first two months of the 2022–23 AHL season, Climate Pledge Arena hosted the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Kraken, until their arena, Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs opened on December 14, 2022; the Firebirds' first game at the new arena came four days later.[113][114]

On January 5, 2025, the first Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) game in Seattle was played at the arena between the Montreal Victoire and the Boston Fleet. Boston won 3–2 with 12,608 spectators in attendance.[115] The PWHL awarded an expansion team, tentatively named PWHL Seattle, for the 2025–26 season.[116]

Sporting events

[edit]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]

The arena has held several UFC events throughout its history, beginning with UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis on March 26, 2011.[117] The promotion returned to the arena on December 8, 2012 for UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz.[118] The UFC returned on July 27, 2013 for UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga.[119] The UFC returned to the arena after twelve years on February 22, 2025 for UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song.[120]

Concerts

[edit]

The Beatles performed at the arena twice, first on August 21, 1964.[121] Also 2 concerts on August 25, 1966.

Elvis Presley performed at the arena on November 12, 1970, and April 26, 1976.

Metallica filmed the first of three live videos for their 1993 live concert box set Live Shit: Binge & Purge at the arena. The band recorded their performances from August 29 and August 30, 1989, during their Damaged Justice tour, widely considered one of the band's greatest live performances by fans.[122]

On April 24, and April 25, 2005 U2 performed at KeyArena as part of their Vertigo Tour. Kings of Leon was the opening act.[123]

Destiny's Child performed at the arena on September 9, 2005, during their Destiny Fulfilled... and Lovin' It farewell tour. The show was the group's second-to-last performance before they officially split up.[124]

Beyoncé performed there for the first time as a solo artist on April 1, 2009, marking the first U.S. show of her spectacular I Am... Tour.

In 2012, Madonna performed two sold-out concerts at the venue as a part of The MDNA Tour. The shows drew 23,651 attendees and grossed $3.7 million.[125]

Bruce Springsteen has performed at the arena five times. He and the E Street Band performed a nearly four-hour long concert during The River Tour 2016 on March 24, 2016. It included a guest appearance by Eddie Vedder.[126][127] Springsteen returned to the newly renovated arena for a single performance on February 27, 2023, as part of his 2023 Tour.[128]

In December 2013, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis became the first Seattle-based act ever to play three consecutive shows at KeyArena when the duo concluded their 2013 World Tour in support of their album The Heist.[129]

Foo Fighters and Death Cab for Cutie performed at the first event in Climate Pledge Arena after its renovation on October 19, 2021.[110]

Korean boy group Stray Kids performed on July 14 & 15, 2022 as part of their North American arena tour for Maniac World Tour.[130]

On October 8th, 2025, Playboi Carti brought the Antagonist Tour to the arena, alongside Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, Homixide Gang, and ApolloRed1

Seating capacity

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Seating configurations
In hockey configuration for the Seattle Kraken
View during a Seattle Storm game in 2022

In its initial configuration, the arena had a seating capacity of 13,200 for basketball games, 12,250 for ice hockey games, 16,000 for meetings, and 14,770 for boxing matches.[131] Minor expansion occurred as the SuperSonics grew in popularity, but the design of the arena limited its expansion potential; calls for its renovation occurred as early as 1976.[132]

In 1977, Seattle voters passed a bond measure to make improvements to Seattle Center. Permanent ticketing areas were added to the arena eliminating the portable ticket booths that were in use since The Seattle World's Fair. In 1983, the original seats were replaced while improvements were made to the concourses to compete for concerts after the Tacoma Dome opened.[133]

With the 1995 renovation, the arena's capacity was expanded to 17,072 for basketball,[10] 15,177 for ice hockey and ice shows, 16,641 for end-stage concerts, and 17,459 for center-stage concerts and boxing. Risers held 7,440 on the upper level and up to 7,741 on the lower level, with luxury suites adding another 1,160 seats. However, the ice hockey capacity was reduced to 10,442 when obstructed seats were removed.[134]

The redeveloped arena[101][102] features a new interior and entrance atrium while retaining the existing roof and three exterior walls. It seats 18,300 for basketball, 17,151 for ice hockey (as well as arena football, box lacrosse, indoor soccer, and ice shows), and 17,200 for concerts.[1] The arena's record attendance for basketball—18,343 spectators—was set on May 22, 2024, by the Seattle Storm against the Indiana Fever.[135]

The seating capacity for basketball[136] and ice hockey are as follows:

Features and amenities

[edit]

The post-renovation Climate Pledge Arena is 740,000 square feet (69,000 m2) and has 17,100 seats in its ice hockey configuration, with higher capacities for other events. Most of the lower-level seats are subterranean, while the concourse and main south entrance at the Alaska Airlines Atrium are near ground level. The arena has several food vendors that use Amazon One for contactless payments.[143]

The arena has a pair of six-sided ceiling scoreboards in lieu of the traditional single, center-hung scoreboard used in other indoor arenas. They were designed to not interfere with sightlines and are also positioned higher than other NHL scoreboards.[144]

Concurrent with the announcement that the arena would be named Climate Pledge Arena, it was stated that the venue would aim to receive a net-zero certification by pledging to have all events be "zero-waste" (through use of compostable containers and reduction of single-use plastic), use captured rainwater for its ice surface, and source at least 75% of food served at the arena from local producers.[105][145] All fans holding a ticket to a public event at the arena can claim a free public transit pass for use starting two hours before the doors open and until two hours after the end of the event. In the first year that the passes were available to Kraken and Storm ticketholders, 25% of fans used public transit.[146]

Transportation

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Climate Pledge Arena is located in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood, which is served by King County Metro bus service from surrounding areas, including Queen Anne Hill and Downtown Seattle. The RapidRide D Line and other routes provide frequent service between the arena's west side and Downtown Seattle. Route 8 connects the neighborhood to Capitol Hill and the Central District.[147][148]

The Seattle Center Monorail also serves the arena, connecting it to Westlake Center and the Westlake light rail station in downtown, and runs higher frequency service during events.

Climate Pledge Arena is served by three public parking garages, with a total capacity of 2,944 vehicles, located in and around the Seattle Center. Additional neighborhood parking lots and on-street parking spaces bring the total number of spaces up to 7,400 stalls.[149] The arena is located near the Mercer Street exit on Interstate 5, as well as State Route 99.[150]

Link light rail service to the Seattle Center and Climate Pledge Arena is planned to begin in 2035, as part of the Ballard–Downtown extension.[151]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Climate Pledge Arena

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from Grokipedia
Climate Pledge Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Seattle Center, Seattle, Washington, which opened on October 19, 2021, after extensive renovation of the former KeyArena site originally built for the 1962 World's Fair. It serves as the primary home venue for the National Hockey League's Seattle Kraken, who began play in the 2021–22 season, and the Women's National Basketball Association's Seattle Storm, a four-time league champion. The arena has a seating capacity of 17,100 for hockey games and 18,100 for basketball, accommodating major concerts and events as well. Named through a naming rights deal with Amazon's Climate Pledge initiative, it markets itself as the world's first net-zero carbon certified arena, utilizing 100% renewable energy, rainwater collection for NHL ice production, and emissions offsets to achieve certification from the International Living Future Institute in 2023. However, these sustainability claims rely partly on carbon credits from rainforest preservation projects, including some in Colombia whose effectiveness and additionality have been questioned by independent analyses, raising doubts about the arena's true net environmental impact. Operationally, the venue has faced criticism for design limitations and has incurred regulatory penalties, including a $477,917 settlement in 2024 for failing to disclose a 3% transaction fee on concessions, affecting over 180,000 transactions.

Historical Background

Origins as Seattle Center Coliseum

The Washington State Coliseum was erected between 1960 and 1962 specifically for the Century 21 Exposition, Seattle's World's Fair that ran from April 21 to October 21, 1962, to highlight the state's contributions to progress and innovation. Architect Paul Thiry, serving as the fair's chief architect, collaborated with structural engineer Peter Hostmark to create a modernist structure with a distinctive hyperbolic paraboloid roof supported by steel trusses and tension cables, covering 130,000 square feet of unobstructed interior ideal for exhibits. Financed entirely by the State of Washington at a cost of $4.5 million, the Coliseum housed the "World of Tomorrow" exhibit, featuring displays on , including the iconic Bubbleator transportation simulator. From its inception, the design incorporated provisions for post-fair conversion into a permanent multi-purpose venue; after the exposition concluded, it was refitted as the Seattle Center Coliseum, an 18,500-seat arena dedicated to sports events, concerts, and conventions, marking its transition from temporary pavilion to enduring civic asset.

Transformation into KeyArena and NBA Era

In 1993, the City of initiated a major renovation of the Seattle Center Coliseum to address its outdated facilities and secure the future of the NBA's as the venue's anchor tenant. The project, costing $74.5 million, involved excavating the arena floor 35 feet below street level to accommodate approximately 3,000 additional seats, expanding basketball capacity to 17,072 while preserving the original roof structure. Construction began on June 16, 1994, forcing the SuperSonics to play the 1994–95 season at the . The renovated arena reopened as KeyArena on October 26, 1995, under a 15-year deal with KeyCorp. The SuperSonics returned for their first home game on November 4, 1995, defeating the 98–95. KeyArena's upgrades, including improved sightlines and luxury suites, aligned it with contemporary NBA standards, enabling the team to host high-profile events such as the . During the NBA era, KeyArena served as the SuperSonics' home from 1995 to 2008, encompassing periods of competitive success and challenges. The team reached the in 1996, led by and , but lost to the in six games. Attendance averaged over 16,000 per game in peak years, though the arena's central location and multipurpose design drew criticism for lacking dedicated revenue streams like those in newer suburban facilities. The SuperSonics' final game at KeyArena occurred on April 13, 2008, a 116–99 loss to the New Orleans Hornets, amid ownership disputes that led to the franchise's relocation to .

Post-NBA Decline and Relocation Controversies

Following the departure of the after the 2007–2008 NBA season, KeyArena experienced a period of reduced prominence as a major . The team's final home game occurred on April 13, 2008, a 99–95 victory over the , after which the franchise relocated to ahead of the 2008–2009 season, becoming the Thunder. The NBA Board of Governors approved the move on April 18, 2008, by a 28–2 vote, with opposition only from the owners of the and . The relocation stemmed from failed negotiations between new owner Clay Bennett's LLC—which purchased the team in July 2006 for $350 million—and officials over a new or renovated . Bennett's group sought public funding for a $500 million facility, but proposals met resistance amid concerns over taxpayer costs and location; the existing KeyArena lease, extended through 2010 in 1995, included a clause allowing relocation without a viable upgrade. In September 2007, Bennett initiated to exit the lease early, leading to a federal lawsuit by the city to enforce it. A settlement reached on July 2, 2008, permitted the move in exchange for $45 million to buy out the remaining lease term and $30 million for arena maintenance, while granting priority for future NBA expansion. Controversies intensified when court-released emails from Bennett's group revealed early intentions to relocate to , contradicting public commitments to remain in and fueling accusations of bad faith. Former owner faced criticism for selling to Bennett despite warnings about the buyer's Oklahoma ties, while city leaders were faulted for inflexible funding demands and delays in arena planning dating to the 1990s. Fan backlash included the "Save Our Sonics" movement, lawsuits alleging , and lasting resentment toward the NBA, with Commissioner David Stern's support for the relocation viewed by some as prioritizing league-wide modernization over 's interests. Post-relocation, KeyArena shifted to secondary tenants, including the WNBA's , men's , and Rat City , alongside concerts and conventions, but lacked an anchor professional sports team. The 1962-vintage facility, despite a , suffered from obsolescence: inadequate loading docks, suboptimal sightlines, limited luxury amenities, and configurations ill-suited for modern hockey or , hindering bookings of premier events. Financially, KeyArena achieved profitability without the Sonics, generating $1.2 million in net revenue for the city in —up from consistent losses during the team's , when it subsidized annual NBA operating deficits exceeding $10 million amid poor . Event revenues reached $8.1 million in , comprising 22% of Center's total, bolstered initially by settlement funds but reflecting diversified, lower-risk programming. However, this stability masked broader decline in competitive viability and economic draw, as the absence of a major league tenant reduced high-attendance draws and prestige. Renewed relocation controversies emerged in failed arena bids to reclaim NBA or add NHL franchises. Investor Chris Hansen's 2012 SoDo district proposal for a $490–600 million multipurpose arena, privately financed with public bonds and taxes, collapsed after a 2016 referendum rejected a sales tax hike and opposition from port authorities cited traffic and environmental impacts. Hansen's 2013 attempt to relocate the Sacramento Kings similarly failed amid legal battles, during which he funded Sacramento anti-arena efforts to weaken that city's bid. These setbacks, rooted in public funding disputes and site conflicts, prolonged KeyArena's stagnation until 2017, when private developer Oak View Group pursued its renovation without taxpayer dollars, culminating in approval for NHL-ready upgrades.

Redevelopment and Opening

Planning and Financing (2016–2018)

In October 2016, Mayor Ed Murray announced that the city would issue a request for proposals (RFP) in January 2017 to redevelop KeyArena into a modern venue suitable for NBA and NHL teams, amid growing interest in professional hockey expansion to . The RFP emphasized preserving the arena's iconic roof, declared a landmark in 2017, while requiring proposers to commit to private financing without public subsidies. Oak View Group (OVG), a venue management firm founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff, emerged as the leading proposer with a plan to fully renovate the interior for multi-sport use, including a 17,000-seat capacity for basketball and hockey, while maintaining the existing exterior. On August 31, 2017, the City of Seattle and OVG signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining a privately funded project initially budgeted at $564 million, with OVG assuming all construction risks and cost overruns. The MOU included a 39-year operating lease for OVG and commitments such as $40 million for regional transportation improvements. The approved the MOU on December 4, 2017, advancing plans tied to potential NHL franchise acquisition by Seattle Hockey Partners, an affiliate of OVG. By March 2018, OVG secured a $100 million strategic from Silver Lake to support arena developments, including 's project. In July 2018, OVG revised the budget upward to $700 million due to expanded scope, such as enhanced loading docks and public plazas, still fully privately financed as the largest such in history. On September 24, 2018, the City Council unanimously approved the final development agreement, enabling OVG to take possession of KeyArena and proceed to , with no taxpayer funds allocated and OVG pledging $10 million to local youth homelessness initiatives via YouthCare. This phase resolved over a decade of post-NBA relocation debates by prioritizing private capital and landmark preservation over full demolition or relocation.

Construction Phase (2018–2021)

Construction of Climate Pledge Arena began with a ceremony on December 5, 2018, marking the start of a privately funded $1.15 billion renovation of the former KeyArena by developer . Mortenson, in collaboration with architect Populous, undertook near-total demolition of the existing interior while preserving the landmark roof and exterior, declared a City Landmark in 2019. The project expanded the facility's footprint to approximately 800,000 square feet, doubling the prior size, through extensive subterranean work that lowered the event floor about 60 feet below grade. A key engineering challenge involved temporarily shoring and suspending the 44-million-pound —originally constructed in —using steel beams and hydraulic jacks to support it during demolition and excavation, avoiding full disassembly that would have risked structural integrity and increased costs. In August 2020, crews disconnected 20 concrete Y-columns and four buttresses from the roof structure, enabling deeper excavation for and tunnels. boring commenced in December 2019 and concluded in January 2021, facilitating expanded below-grade spaces for loading, parking, and mechanical systems. The construction cost totaled $903.6 million, with $179 million allocated to women- and minority-owned enterprise contractors. The 29-month timeline faced disruptions from the , including labor shortages and material delays, as well as inherent complexities from working under the preserved roof and mid-project adjustments to achieve net-zero carbon goals, such as integrating advanced mechanical systems 15 months into construction. Despite these hurdles, the team implemented workarounds like phased sequencing and virtual design coordination to maintain progress. By March 2021, crews achieved a significant in structural framing, signaling readiness for interior fit-out. The arena reached substantial completion on October 15, 2021—two weeks ahead of schedule and within budget—paving the way for operational testing prior to its public debut.

Grand Opening and Initial Operations (2021)

Climate Pledge Arena conducted its soft opening on October 19, 2021, with a featuring and , proceeds from which supported local charities including those aiding and youth programs. This event provided an initial public preview of the renovated venue ahead of its full operational launch. The official grand opening followed on October 22, 2021, headlined by a sold-out concert from , marking the arena's debut as a major live entertainment hub. The following day, October 23, 2021, the arena hosted its inaugural professional sports event: the Seattle Kraken's first NHL home game against the Vancouver Canucks, which the Kraken lost 4-2 before a capacity crowd of 17,151 spectators. Vince Dunn scored the franchise's first goal at the venue in the second period, though the team relinquished a 2-1 lead in the third. Initial operations emphasized seamless transitions between concerts and sports, with the arena accommodating up to 200 events annually from launch, including subsequent Kraken home games and community programming. On October 24, 2021, Climate Pledge Arena held a free Community Day open to the from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., allowing visitors to tour facilities, engage with exhibits, and experience select amenities without ticketed events. This event underscored early operational priorities on access and , aligning with the venue's carbon-neutral branding, though full tenant integration for the occurred in the after their 2021 games at temporary sites.

Architectural and Operational Features

Preservation of Historic Elements

The redevelopment of Climate Pledge Arena preserved the iconic roof of the original Coliseum, constructed in 1961 for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. This cable-suspended roof, featuring over 5.5 miles of steel cables, was retained to honor its architectural significance and comply with landmark status requirements. Preservation of the necessitated innovative techniques, including excavation of approximately 600,000 cubic yards of to a depth of 60 feet below grade, allowing expansion while keeping the structure in place. Existing columns were extended downward to the new event level to continue supporting the roof's gravity loads after the interior was rebuilt. A temporary support system was employed during demolition and excavation to maintain structural integrity. The perimeter curtain wall, which originally connected interior and exterior spaces, was also preserved as a key historical feature linking the arena to Seattle Center's aesthetic. These elements ensured the project's alignment with goals, transforming the facility beneath the landmark exterior without altering its visible profile.

Seating Capacity and Configuration

Climate Pledge Arena's seating configuration is engineered for adaptability across sports and entertainment events, featuring a continuous bowl design with lower and upper levels that prioritize sightlines and circulation. The venue accommodates 17,200 seats for configurations, such as games, 18,200 for setups used by the , and up to 18,600 in end-stage concert arrangements. These capacities reflect the arena's post-2021 redevelopment, which optimized the interior layout while preserving the original roof structure. The seating includes 59 luxury suites distributed around the bowl, alongside 19 specialized tunnel club suites positioned beneath the lower level for enhanced proximity to athletes and performers. Steeper than standard arena inclines ensure views from all sections remain clear, supported by the absence of a center-hung ; instead, dual suspended video boards maintain unobstructed panoramas for hockey, , and stage events. Floor-level arrangements are modular, allowing quick transitions between a full NHL rink, WNBA court, or concert staging with additional standing areas. Seat dimensions vary by section, with most standard seats measuring approximately 20 inches wide to improve patron comfort over legacy venues. Premium areas incorporate wider, more ergonomic designs, contributing to the arena's reputation for superior spectator experience without compromised visibility.

Amenities and Visitor Experience

Climate Pledge Arena provides a range of premium amenities, including seven distinct spaces such as tunnel club suites, The PitchBook Suites, and the American Express Hall, a modern offering exclusive access for select ticket holders. These areas feature private lounges, options like an invite-only cocktail lounge, and club seating with views of . General admission visitors have access to guest services located on the main concourse near Section 24 and in the Alaska Airlines Atrium on the upper concourse. Concessions emphasize local and diverse food options across multiple marketplaces, including Ballard Pizza for New York-style slices, with gluten-free and vegan selections, and Bavarian Meats for items like the Arena Dog. Recent expansions for the 2025-26 season introduced freshly shucked oysters, enhanced vegan and vegetarian dishes, and budget-friendly items such as mac and cheese and loaded nachos priced under $10. , the arena's food service partner, integrates kiosks for efficiency. Visitor experience is enhanced by technological features, including free throughout the venue and the Seattle Kraken+Climate Pledge Arena , which handles digital ticketing, pre-purchase , real-time updates, and complimentary transit passes on event days. palm recognition technology is available at 18 concession points for contactless payments, implemented starting with the 2022 Kraken home opener. Seating offers strong sightlines from most sections, though some fans note cramped conditions and limited legroom, especially for taller patrons during extended events. Fan feedback highlights a modern atmosphere with good acoustics for concerts and sports, tempered by challenges like proximity.

Sustainability Efforts

Implemented Environmental Technologies

Climate Pledge Arena operates on 100% , sourced from an on-site array of over 1,300 solar panels installed on the Atrium roof and the adjacent 1st Avenue North garage, which generate approximately 440,000 kWh annually. Off-site is procured through Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from Energy's Lower , with additional commitments to City Light's Renewable Plus Program starting in 2025 for new and solar developments. The arena has eliminated usage entirely, converting heating, Zamboni operations, and dehumidification to all-electric systems to minimize operational emissions. Water conservation features include a Rain-to-Rink system with a 15,000-gallon that captures roof-harvested rainwater for resurfacing the NHL , reducing reliance on municipal supplies. Additional measures encompass waterless urinals, ultra-efficient shower fixtures, and on-site retention tanks paired with porous pavement and planting areas to mitigate stormwater runoff. Waste management technologies support zero-waste operations through on-site sorting stations, specialized streams, and a color-coded bin system designed for efficient diversion, achieving over 90% diversion. The venue enforces a single-use ban and promotes reusable cups for concessions to eliminate disposable items. Energy efficiency is enhanced by LED lighting throughout the facility and upgraded HVAC systems optimized for reduced consumption. Construction incorporated low-carbon concrete via CarbonCure technology, which injects captured CO2 into the mix to sequester emissions during curing. A living wall provides biophilic elements and air quality benefits, powered exclusively by the arena's renewable sources.

Certifications and Measurable Outcomes

Climate Pledge Arena achieved Silver certification under v4 for Building Design and Construction: New Construction and Major Renovation, reflecting compliance with standards for energy efficiency, , and material selection, though its total score of 51 out of 110 points fell just into the Silver range. In October 2023, it became the first arena worldwide to receive Zero Carbon Certification from the International Living Future Institute, requiring sourcing, elimination of on-site use through all-electric systems, and offsetting of residual operational and embodied carbon emissions via retired Certificates exceeding 100,000 MWh from regional wind farms. This certification focuses on operational emissions, with embodied carbon from construction materials quantified at 34,400 metric tons. In April 2024, during its third year of operation, the arena earned TRUE certification from Green Business Certification Inc., recognizing zero- practices with a verified waste diversion rate of 93% over a 12-month period— the highest for any at the time and the first such Platinum-level achievement on the U.S. West Coast. Operational data from the arena's dashboard indicate progressive improvements: carbon emissions, fully offset, declined from 21,037 metric tons in the first year (October 2021–September 2022) to 17,621 metric tons in the third year (October 2023–September 2024), accompanied by electricity consumption dropping from 34,942 MWh to 27,076 MWh, all sourced renewably including from 1,300 on-site solar panels generating 440,000 kWh annually. Waste diversion rose from 83% in year one to 92% in year three, supported by 348 tons and composting 279 tons in the initial year alone. Water usage, augmented by a 15,000-gallon rooftop cistern capturing rainwater for the NHL ice rink and other needs, totaled 7.7 million gallons in year three, down from 7.9 million in year two, demonstrating efficiency gains amid high-traffic events. These outcomes align with 38 Gold-level awards from the Green Sports Alliance's GOAL program across design and operations metrics, though minimal on-site diesel use (200 gallons annually for backup) contributes trace emissions not fully eliminated under zero-carbon protocols. Independent verification through third-party certifications underscores the arena's performance, though reliance on offsets and RECs for net-zero claims invites scrutiny regarding additionality and long-term avoidance of emissions.

Reliance on Offsets and Energy Sourcing

Climate Pledge Arena operates on 100% renewable , sourced through partnerships that provide energy from new renewable projects, and has eliminated all on-site usage by converting systems to all-electric operations. This shift supports its as the world's first zero-carbon arena by the International Living Future Institute in October 2023, which requires measuring, reducing, and offsetting Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Despite these measures, the arena's net-zero status relies significantly on carbon offsets to neutralize unavoidable emissions, including those from construction and operations. In its second year of operation (2022–2023), it emitted and offset 20,929 metric tons of equivalent, with annual offsets averaging around 21,000 metric tons—comparable to removing 4,500 passenger vehicles from roads for a year. Offsets primarily consist of nature-based projects, such as forest preservation, but critics question their reliability; for instance, credits purchased for embodied construction emissions involved Colombian protection initiatives plagued by overestimation of avoided and verification issues. Experts note that while renewable sourcing addresses operational energy, offsets form the bulk of the arena's emissions compensation strategy, potentially masking incomplete on-site reductions. The Environment Institute has highlighted that such reliance on credits, rather than solely technological decarbonization, underpins much of the facility's narrative, raising concerns about long-term causal impact on global emissions given the offsets market's systemic flaws like non-additionality and leakage. Independent audits verify offset purchases, but the arena's operators, including Amazon, face broader scrutiny for using offsets to claim progress amid rising overall corporate emissions.

Events and Tenants

Professional Sports Teams

Climate Pledge Arena is the primary home venue for the of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the of the (WNBA), with the (PWHL) expansion team PWHL Seattle also scheduled to play its home games there starting in the 2025–26 season. The , the NHL's 32nd franchise and Seattle's first major team, commenced its inaugural season at the arena in October 2021, with the first home game occurring on October 23, 2021, against the . The team plays 41 regular-season home games annually at the venue, which features a hockey-specific configuration accommodating approximately 17,151 spectators. The , a four-time WNBA champion, relocated its home games to Climate Pledge Arena following the venue's renovation, playing its first regular-season home contest there on May 6, 2022, against the . The basketball setup supports a capacity of about 13,500 for WNBA games, hosting 20 regular-season home matches each year. PWHL Seattle, the league's sixth franchise announced on April 30, 2025, will begin operations in the 2025–26 season, with its 15 home games at Climate Pledge Arena as part of a 30-game regular-season schedule that opens away on November 21, 2025. The team aims to capitalize on the arena's established infrastructure for professional women's hockey in the .

Concerts and Non-Sports Programming

Climate Pledge Arena has hosted extensive non-sports programming since its reopening, primarily featuring major concert tours by international artists across genres such as rock, pop, hip-hop, and country, alongside performances and special live events. The venue's inaugural post-renovation event was a headlined by with on October 19, 2021, benefiting local housing initiatives. This performance drew approximately 15,000 attendees and highlighted the arena's acoustics and configuration for music productions. The grand opening concert followed on October 22, 2021, with performing the debut live set from their album Music of the Spheres, which was broadcast and sold out in advance, accommodating up to 18,300 spectators in its end-stage setup. Subsequent high-profile shows included Billie Eilish's Happier Than Ever World Tour across two nights, March 25 and 26, 2022, each grossing over $1.9 million and attracting full capacity crowds. Other notable concerts in the arena's early years featured Eagles in September 2022, in February 2022, and in March 2022, demonstrating its appeal for large-scale touring productions with advanced staging and production capabilities. Beyond music, the arena programs tours and variety acts, such as Nate Bargatze's Big Dumb Eyes World Tour on November 6, 2025, and Adam Sandler's You're My Best Friend Tour on October 29, 2025, utilizing its flexible seating for intimate yet high-capacity shows. These events leverage the venue's central location and infrastructure to host up to 40-50 non-sports dates annually, contributing to its role as a premier entertainment hub while prioritizing sustainable operations like reduced single-use plastics during performances.

Mixed Martial Arts and Other Events

Climate Pledge Arena has hosted events, most notably a UFC Fight Night on February 22, 2025, marking the promotion's return to after a 12-year absence. The event, headlined by former two-division champion against rising , with a co-main event featuring versus , drew a sold-out crowd of approximately 18,000 spectators. It set a UFC North American record for ticket sales, underscoring strong local demand for high-profile MMA bouts in the venue's configurable setup. The arena's design supports MMA productions with adjustable flooring, lighting, and seating to accommodate installations and fighter entrances, enabling events to utilize its full capacity of around 18,100 for combat sports. Weigh-ins occurred the prior day, February 21, 2025, further integrating the venue into UFC's operational logistics. Beyond MMA, the arena has hosted professional wrestling events, including Friday Night SmackDown tapings. A September 13, 2024, installment featured superstars such as Undisputed WWE Champion , , , and Bayley, with the event structured for live television broadcast. Another SmackDown is scheduled for April 11, 2025, continuing the venue's role in scripted entertainment that draws similar audience sizes to MMA cards. These productions leverage the arena's central stage and elevated entrance ramps, adapting the space for theatrical matches and audience interaction. No major or other sports promotions, such as Bellator or regional circuits, have been documented at the venue since its 2021 reopening.

Accessibility and Infrastructure

Transportation and Parking Arrangements

Climate Pledge Arena promotes public transportation to mitigate and limited during events, offering free transit passes with tickets for publicly ticketed events, valid for two hours before and after on buses, , and the . The arena's location in provides direct access to the Monorail, which connects (Westlake Station) to the campus in approximately 90 seconds and accepts cards, credit/debit, or contactless payments. service via Link extends to nearby stations with free at park-and-ride lots like Angle Lake or Tukwila International Boulevard, facilitating transfers to the arena vicinity. Bus routes from and serve multiple approaches to , with trip planners recommended for real-time routing. For ridesharing, pre-event drop-offs occur at designated zones including Republican Street and Warren Avenue North, (MoPOP), Mercer Street, or Denny Way, while post-event pick-ups begin after a 30-minute exclusive period at Thomas Street and Taylor Avenue North, requiring pedestrians to walk eastward during that window to avoid delays. Biking infrastructure includes protected lanes encircling the arena, short-term parking racks at the northeast corner of the East Plaza (requiring personal locks), and secure Bike Link lockers in the 1st Avenue North Garage on a first-come, first-served basis via app or card access. Scooter parking zones are marked on sidewalks nearby. Parking is managed through three primary garages: the underground Arena Garage with electric vehicle charging and ADA-accessible stalls, the adjacent 1st Avenue North Garage with ADA parking across Lenny Wilkens Way, and the Seattle Center-operated 5th Avenue North Garage on the east side. Rates are $7 per hour plus tax, with daily maximums available; pre-purchase is enabled via the Kraken + Climate Pledge Arena mobile app, while walk-up access operates from 6 a.m. to midnight on non-event days. Additional Seattle Center options include the Mercer Street Garage, offering proximity to the arena with 67 accessible stalls (though height-restricted at 7'7"), contributing to a regional capacity approaching 3,000 vehicles across nearby facilities. On-street event parking in Uptown zones charges $3–$4 for the first two hours, escalating to $10 per additional hour up to five hours total. EV charging stations are integrated into select garages to support sustainable arrivals.

Integration with Seattle Center

Climate Pledge Arena is physically embedded within the Seattle Center campus, a 74-acre cultural and entertainment district established for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, where the arena's predecessor structures originated. The $1.15 billion redevelopment project, completed in 2021 by Oak View Group in partnership with the City of Seattle, preserved the iconic, landmarked roof of the original Washington State Coliseum while demolishing and rebuilding the interior beneath it, nearly doubling the usable space to 1.3 million square feet and improving sightlines and acoustics for integration with surrounding venues. To ensure seamless connectivity, an Arena Community Advisory Group collaborated with city officials during planning to align the arena's design with 's pedestrian pathways, public plazas, and adjacent facilities like the Seattle Center Armory and , facilitating event spillover and year-round foot traffic among over 30 resident arts and civic organizations. This includes 360-degree perimeter access around the arena, allowing unobstructed circulation to nearby attractions without barriers, which enhances the campus's role as a unified gathering place for concerts, festivals, and community events. The integration extends to shared infrastructure, such as coordinated event scheduling to minimize conflicts with 's programming calendar and joint promotion of transit options like the , which directly links the arena to , reducing isolated vehicular dependency and promoting multimodal access across the district. Post-redevelopment, the arena has hosted hybrid events blending sports with cultural activities, such as games followed by fireworks or art exhibits, fostering symbiotic use of the grounds.

Economic and Community Effects

Funding Sources and Public Contributions

The redevelopment of Climate Pledge Arena, completed in 2021 at a total cost of $1.15 billion, was financed entirely by private sources without direct public financial contributions or subsidies from the City of Seattle. Oak View Group (OVG), in partnership with the Seattle Kraken's ownership group, covered all construction expenses, potential overruns, and related risks, marking a rare instance of a major sports venue renovation funded solely through private investment. The core construction phase alone amounted to $903.6 million, also privately sourced. This funding structure emerged after negotiations for a publicly financed new arena failed, leading OVG to pursue renovation of the existing facility on Center's public land under a long-term agreement. The provided no capital outlays for the project but benefited indirectly through operational revenue shares, such as portions of parking income directed to the arena operator. Additional private inflows included from Amazon's Climate Pledge initiative, secured in for a reported 10-year term valued at tens of millions, further bolstering the project's financial model without taxpayer involvement. Public contributions were limited to non-monetary elements, such as site access and regulatory approvals, contrasting with arenas elsewhere that often incorporate substantial taxpayer subsidies for or service. Proponents of the deal highlighted its avoidance of public , with OVG assuming full for the $1.15 billion outlay amid rising material costs during construction.

Job Creation and Revenue Generation

The of Climate Pledge Arena between November 2018 and December 2021 created extensive opportunities, accumulating 2,941,990 total labor hours and disbursing $152,628,557 in wages to workers. Apprentices accounted for 21% of these hours, with 52 preferred entry apprentices—targeted through pre-apprenticeship programs for individuals from economically distressed communities—earning $2.9 million collectively at an average hourly rate of $37. Priority hiring under the Community Workforce Agreement directed an additional $32 million in wages to workers from such communities, exceeding baseline projections by $14 million and emphasizing living wages, benefits, and safety standards. Post-opening in October 2021, the arena sustains 51 to 200 full-time employees, primarily in operations, , and management roles under , alongside hundreds of part-time and event-specific positions in hospitality, concessions, and guest services. These operational jobs, many starting at $20.76 per hour with benefits like free transit passes, support a handling up to 2.025 million annual visitors as recorded in 2023. Revenue streams derive from ticket sales, concessions, premium seating, and sponsorships, bolstered by the arena's naming rights deal with Amazon and diverse programming including NHL games, WNBA matches, and concerts. Event-driven activities have elevated Center's revenues through shared agreements on , armory usage, and sponsorships, reflecting heightened demand since the arena's launch. Environmentally aligned sponsorships have further enhanced sales, contributing to projected annual venue revenue estimates of approximately $105.8 million.

Broader Regional Impact Assessments

The renovation and operation of Climate Pledge Arena have been associated with broader economic activity in , through visitor spending and induced effects on local businesses. A economic impact study, encompassing the arena as a key campus asset, estimated that combined visitor and business spending generated $1.864 billion in total business activity, supporting 18,621 jobs and $631 million in labor income across the county. Of this, $815 million in direct visitor spending contributed to ripple effects, including $1.182 billion in "new money" economic activity (attributable to external inflows rather than local substitution), 10,625 supported jobs, $381 million in labor income, and $65 million in state and local tax revenues, with total taxes reaching $90 million. Arena-related events have spurred development in multiple Seattle neighborhoods, extending impacts beyond the immediate vicinity. In Lower Queen Anne, proximity to the arena has increased business activity for local establishments, such as bars reporting elevated sales—e.g., game nights for 50% of annual revenue at the Woo Bar. In Northgate, the associated Community Iceplex has drawn 1 million visitors annually, catalyzing new housing, office, and retail construction around Northgate Station as part of transit-oriented growth. Specific events amplify these effects; for instance, the at the arena generated $30 million in hospitality spending, while summer 2024 NHL league meetings injected $3 million into the regional economy. Transportation infrastructure enhancements tied to the arena have facilitated regional and economic connectivity. A $6 million investment in the Seattle Center Monorail's Westlake station, linked to arena operations, elevated 2023 ridership above pre-pandemic levels, supporting commuter flows from downtown to and indirectly benefiting broader transit usage in the area. Since its October 21, 2021, opening, the arena has hosted over 7.5 million visitors, including 2.5 million for games, contributing to a 25% year-over-year attendance surge at to nearly 10 million visits in 2023, which proponents attribute to amplified and event draw for the metropolitan region.

Controversies and Criticisms

Greenwashing Allegations Tied to Naming Rights

In June 2020, Amazon secured the naming rights to Seattle's renovated KeyArena for an undisclosed sum estimated at tens of millions of dollars over a decade, rebranding it as Climate Pledge Arena to promote its corporate Climate Pledge commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement timeline. Environmental advocacy groups immediately criticized the move as greenwashing, arguing that the high-profile naming served primarily as a branding exercise to bolster Amazon's public image without addressing the company's expanding carbon footprint. Greenpeace USA described the renaming as a "meaningless and costly PR stunt," with campaigner Elizabeth Jardim stating that it represented "yet another empty gesture" that failed to tackle Amazon's contracts with fossil fuel producers or mitigate environmental harms to affected communities. These allegations centered on the disconnect between the arena's symbolic emphasis and Amazon's operational realities, including a 15% year-over-year increase in the company's Scope 1 and 2 in 2019, even as sales grew 22%. Critics from groups like End Climate Silence and Amazon Employees for Climate Justice contended that the pledge's language was deliberately vague and deceptive, excluding substantial emissions while touting reductions in carbon intensity metrics that could mislead stakeholders about absolute progress. Academic analysis has explored consumer perceptions of such sponsorships through frameworks like , finding mixed views: while some interpret the naming as a credible signal of intent, others perceive it as superficial that exploits environmental branding without verifiable reductions tied directly to the deal. Further scrutiny highlighted how the amplified Amazon's overall climate narrative amid broader doubts about the pledge's efficacy, with organizations like citing it as emblematic of unsubstantiated corporate claims that prioritize visibility over substantive emissions cuts. Proponents of the allegations pointed to Amazon's continued business expansion—driving higher total emissions despite efficiency gains—as evidence that venue-specific initiatives like the arena renaming deflected from systemic challenges in and centers, which accounted for the bulk of the company's footprint.

Debates on Carbon Offset Validity

Climate Pledge Arena offset approximately 37,000 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions from its and around 38,000 metric tons annually for indirect operational emissions, primarily through REDD+ credits from the Acapa project in a 144,000-acre area of Colombian registered under the Verra standard. These credits fund efforts to reduce and promote alternative livelihoods such as in coconuts, acai, and cacao, contributing to the arena's achievement of the International Living Future Institute's Zero Carbon Certification on , 2023, which mandates offsetting all embodied carbon and operational not covered by on-site renewables. Critics have questioned the validity of these offsets, arguing that REDD+ projects often suffer from overcrediting, where claimed emission reductions exceed actual benefits due to flawed baselines and methodologies not aligned with . For instance, an analysis by Calyx Global found the Acapa project reduced but issued credits beyond verifiable impacts, while Berkeley Carbon Trading Project director Barbara Haya emphasized that such standards overestimate avoidance of emissions that might not occur without intervention, undermining additionality. Stockholm Environment Institute scientist Derik Broekhoff described many such credits as "hot air," expressing skepticism that offsets reliably deliver net-zero outcomes for the arena despite its efficiency measures, and advocated prioritizing direct emission reductions over reliance on volatile carbon markets. Amazon representatives acknowledged limitations in the offset market's rigor but defended the arena's approach as part of broader sustainability efforts, committing to higher-quality credits amid ongoing industry scrutiny. Independent investigations, including a 2023 Guardian review of Verra-registered projects, have deemed similar forest credits "worthless" in delivering promised reductions, highlighting risks of impermanence and leakage where deforestation shifts elsewhere. These debates underscore empirical challenges in verifying offset efficacy, with evidence suggesting they frequently fail to achieve real-world decarbonization equivalent to avoided emissions.

Traffic, Cost Overruns, and Opportunity Costs

The redevelopment of Climate Pledge Arena saw significant cost escalations from its initial projections. In September 2017, the project was budgeted at $660 million. By December 2018, estimates rose to $825–$850 million due to design changes and scope expansions. The budget further increased to approximately $900 million by April 2019. The final cost reached $1.15 billion upon opening in October 2021, encompassing challenges like the , supply chain disruptions, and structural complexities in preserving the original roof. (OVG), the private developer, assumed responsibility for all overruns and financed the project without direct city funds. Traffic management around the arena emphasizes alternatives to personal vehicles to address congestion in the dense Uptown neighborhood. The facility provides complimentary public transit passes with all tickets and has eliminated most surface lots, implementing event-rate fees for on-street spaces from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. to deter driving. Proximity to the , , and buses supports these efforts, yet events routinely generate high traffic volumes and potential street closures, particularly on weekends, exacerbating delays in surrounding areas. Local reports and resident feedback highlight persistent post-event egress issues despite mitigation strategies. Opportunity costs of the project, situated on city-owned land in under a long-term ground lease to OVG, include foregone alternative uses of the prime urban site, such as expanded public recreation or non-commercial community facilities. Although privately funded, broader economic analyses of arena developments question their net public benefits, noting that resources devoted to sports venues often yield limited fiscal returns compared to investments in or , with subsidies—direct or indirect—transferring wealth from taxpayers to private owners. Prior Seattle arena feasibility studies have been critiqued for underemphasizing such opportunity costs, favoring venue proposals without fully accounting for displaced economic activity elsewhere. In this case, while no explicit public subsidies were involved, the allocation of and ancillary support (e.g., transit enhancements) has drawn scrutiny amid competing municipal priorities like housing affordability.

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