Welcome to Climate Pledge Arena

A BRAND NEW ARENA
UNDER A HISTORIC ROOF

This transformational project is the most significant private investment in Pacific Northwest sports and entertainment history. In partnership, Oak View Group and the City of Seattle set out to reimagine and redevelop an arena constructed under an historic landmarked roof originally built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair.

Take a look at the most beautiful and sustainable arena in the world.

Milestones

May 7, 2021
May 7, 2021

Ice Slab Poured
The pouring of the concrete foundation on which the ice rink will sit marked the largest construction milestone to-date for the Seattle Kraken.

Feb. 3, 2021
Feb. 3, 2021

The Weeknd – First Concert Announcement for Climate Pledge Arena
Ahead of his Super Bowl half time appearance, The Weeknd release dates for his upcoming world tour including a date at Climate Pledge Arena. This was the first concert announcement for the new arena.

Jan. 29, 2021
Jan. 29, 2021

Climate Pledge Arena Topps Out
The final interior steel beam was placed by steel workers to mark one of the biggest moments of construction to-date.

Dec. 4 – 9, 2020
Dec. 4 – 9, 2020

Climate Pledge Crown ID Installed
The faux neon sign was lifted, secured and illuminated to mark the full transition of the building to its new name. It was the final exterior transition completed until fans are able to see inside the new facility and glass atrium.

July 23, 2020
July 23, 2020

The Seattle Kraken Brand Announced
The NHL’s 32 Franchise team name is announced as the Seattle Kraken

July 8, 2020
July 8, 2020

Crown ID Removed from Climate Pledge Arena
The final visual reminder of the previous arena was removed as progress continued under the roof.

June 25, 2020
June 25, 2020

Climate Pledge Arena Announced
In partnership with Amazon, OVG and the Seattle Kraken naming rights to future home of the Seattle Kraken are announced as Climate Pledge Arena. Building expected to be the first net zero carbon certified arena in the world

Feb. 25, 2020
Feb. 25, 2020

Transit Incentives and Monorail Partnership Announced
Free transit to all Seattle Kraken games and an investment stake in the Monorail is announced as a key strategy to ensure transit access to and from the arena for all fans.

Dec. 5, 2018
Dec. 5, 2018

Groundbreaking Event Held at New Arena at Seattle Center
State, regional and local leaders joined Oak View Group and NHL Seattle leadership to officially break ground on the New Arena at Seattle Center project and celebrate the arrival of the 32nd NHL franchise to the City.

Dec. 4, 2018
Dec. 4, 2018

NHL Board of Governors Awards Seattle the 32nd Franchise in Sea Island, Georgia

Sept. 5, 2018
Sept. 5, 2018

Local Ownership Group Announced at the Space Needle

Feb. 27, 2018
Feb. 27, 2018

NHL Seattle Ticket Drive
32,000+ fans put their name down in record time to become deposit holders for the franchise.

Dec, 4, 2017
Dec, 4, 2017

Memorandum of Understanding Approved by City Council

June 7, 2017
June 7, 2017

Memorandum of Understanding Signed
The City and Oak View Group sign a historic deal to begin transforming the arena and Seattle Center.

April 12, 2017
April 12, 2017

Proposals Due to City of Seattle for RFP
A total of three applicants put their proposals in the ring to reimagine the arena at Seattle Center.

Jan. 11, 2017
Jan. 11, 2017

The City of Seattle Issues RFP for Arena Redevelopment
The City declares the arena a vital community asset and asks for bidders to reimagine the arena under the iconic roof.

$1 Billion

OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT

800,000 ft.²

2X THE FORMER ARENA

OCTOBER 2021

SCHEDULED TO BE OPEN

17,100

NHL
Capacity

18,100

Basketball
Capacity

17,200

Concert
Capacity

Climate Pledge Arena Videos

View All Video Updates

Weekly Construction Updates

  • Construction Notice 6.18.2021
    Roof work including drainage repair, cleaning and painting is underway. …
  • Construction Notice 6.11.2021
    Starting Tuesday, June 15th, Thomas St between Queen Anne Ave and 1st Ave N will be closed to vehicular traffic. This closure will be in place through the end of June. Pedestrian access will be maintained. …
  • Construction Notice 6.04.2021
    Interior spaces continue to take shape and work progresses with elements including fireproofing, sprinkler systems, lighting, framing, drywall work, painting, carpet installation and finishing work….
  • Construction Notice 5.28.2021
    Connection of Arena sewer lines to City systems on 1st Ave N between Thomas St and Harrison St is complete. …
  • Construction Notice 5.21.2021
    Connection of Arena sewer lines to City systems continues on 1st Ave N between Thomas St and Harrison St and is projected to finish the weekend of May 22-23. …
View All Construction Updates
Street Improvement Work

Frequently Asked Questions

The arena is scheduled to open October 2021.
Oak View Group (OVG) is a global leader in sports and entertainment and was founded in 2015 by two of the most influential people in the sports and entertainment business over the past 40 years, Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff.

OVG is the largest sports and entertainment venue developer in the world.Visit www.oakviewgroup.com for more information.
The Climate Pledge Arena will meet NBA standards and has been designed with basketball in mind.

OVG has assembled a world-class project team in partnering with Populous, one of the world’s premier sports architecture firms, and ICON, the foremost project manager/owner’s representative, and MA Mortenson, the preeminent general contractor, in the field of sports facility construction.  

The combination of OVG’s executive team’s experience, led by Tim Leiweke, with that of the experience of Populous, ICON, and Mortenson should leave no doubt Climate Pledge arena will be compliant with NBA standards.
OVG has respectfully retained the iconic roof of the Seattle Center Coliseum, originally built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair and designed by renowned architect Paul Thiry.  

By maintaining the historic roof, Climate Pledge Arena will take its rightful place alongside other iconic landmarks, like the Space Needle, Pacific Fountains and others. 

Recycling the roof also allows the arena to consume less embodied carbon than most other new arena construction projects and while reducing landfill waste, a key initiative of The Climate Pledge for which the arena is named. 

OVG’s vision is to have the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its association with the World’s Fair. OVG has achieved the first hurdle by having Washington’s State Historic Preservation Office declare the arena eligible for the national designation.
Seattle Center Coliseum/KeyArena had been hosting events at this site for over fifty years. Seattle Center serves over 12-million visitors each year. Climate Pledge Arena replaces an existing arena, increasing the capacity of Seattle Center by less than ten-percent.

It is our goal to be the leader for responsible, efficient, multi-model transportation choices. To do so, we’re working to ensure that our guests will have access to a diverse set of transportation choices that will reduce our emissions and improve access to the arena. 

Please visit our Transportation page for more details.
In 2019, Amazon and Global Optimism announced The Climate Pledge, which calls on signatories to be net zero carbon across their businesses by 2040—a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement.

Visit www.climatepledge.com for more information.
Climate Pledge Arena is designed to hold up to 18,100.  Capacities for different events will vary.
– Hockey Capacity – 17,100
– Basketball Capacity – 18,100
– Concert Capacity – up to 17,200
The City of Seattle and OVG have signed a 39-year lease with two, eight-year renewable options (for a potential total lease of 55 years).
The Arena is entirely privately financed by OVG with no City financing; the current project cost estimate is $1 Billion. All costs and potential cost-overruns of construction and arena operations are the responsibility of OVG.

The City (Seattle Center) will receive a rent payment to cover the revenue generated by the KeyArena and the 1st Avenue North Parking Garage operations, as well as campus sponsorship rights prior to this redevelopment.

OVG will assume the risk of cost overruns during construction including the risk increased cost due to unknown environmental conditions.

OVG will be responsible for Arena operations and maintenance of the facility over the life of the Lease Term; OVG will assume the risks and costs of operating and maintaining the arena.
Climate Pledge Arena is being built for music as a tenant.  Elements including thoughtful backstage production design and acoustical panels in the rafters to improve live sound, will make the arena a must play for the biggest performers in the industry.
On top of that, OVG has partnered with Live Nation who touches 71 million fans at 26,000 events in nearly 200 venues worldwide. The Live Nation team exists on local, regional and national levels and consists of experienced industry veterans as well as young emerging talent, each with a track record of success. 

The local Live Nation team is led by Jeff Trisler, president of the Seattle division, who is a Seattle native with 36 years of concert promotion experience in Seattle. For the first time in its history, Live Nation made an investment in an arena because of opportunity here at Seattle Center.
The naming rights for Climate Pledge Arena was secured through a partnership between Amazon, Oak View Group, and Seattle Kraken. It is expected to be the first net zero carbon certified arena in the world and will harness the power of sports and entertainment to inspire change on the climate crises. Visit Vision to learn more about how Climate Pledge Arena will be the first net zero certified arena in the world.
Sign up for the Arena Newsletter and never miss an announcement! Subscribe today.