Climate Pledge Arena Debut
The Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle, competing in the NHL's Pacific Division.
The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle. The Kraken compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. The team was founded after the NHL approved a proposal by Seattle Hockey Partners to grant an expansion franchise to the city of Seattle and began play during the league's 2021–22 season. They play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena.
Quick Facts
- Result
- Kraken Victory (Overtime)
Lore & Background
The Kraken struggled during their inaugural season and finished last in the Pacific Division with 60 points. During the 2022–23 season, the team achieved a record of 46–28–8 and 100 points, securing fourth place in the Pacific Division and the first playoff wild card spot in the Western Conference. During the playoffs, the Kraken faced off against the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. They upset the Avalanche in seven games, becoming the first expansion team to win their first playoff series over the defending Stanley Cup champion. However, they lost to the Dallas Stars in the second round, ending their second season. During the 2023–24 season, the team missed the playoffs, scoring only 217 goals and achieving only 81 points. This caused the Kraken to fire head coach Dave Hakstol and hire Dan Bylsma. During the 2024–25 season, the team regressed, managing only 76 points. Following the season, the Kraken once again fired their head coach, parting ways with Bylsma and hiring Lane Lambert. The team also replaced general manager Ron Francis with Jason Botterill, making Francis the Kraken's president of hockey operations. The team finished the 2025–26 season with 79 points, missing the playoffs once again.
Reader's Guide
The Kraken play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena. The team's first home game at Climate Pledge Arena was on October 23, 2021, a 4–2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
Architectural Evolution and Historic Preservation
Climate Pledge Arena represents a unique fusion of modern sustainability and historic preservation within Seattle's civic landscape. Situated on the grounds of the Seattle Center, originally built for the 1962 Century 21 Exposition, the venue occupies the footprint of the former Washington State Pavilion. While an extensive $1.15 billion redevelopment between 2018 and 2021 replaced the aging KeyArena interior, the project meticulously retained the structure's iconic roof and exterior window curtain walls designed by architect Paul Thiry. These elements were officially landmarked in 2017 and subsequently added to both state and national heritage registers in 2018. This preservation effort is so significant that, despite opening as a brand-new facility in October 2021, the arena is occasionally cited as the oldest in the National Hockey League due to the enduring age of its historic shell. The design features an extended atrium on the south end serving as the primary entrance, seamlessly blending the mid-century architectural legacy with contemporary functional requirements for modern sports and entertainment.
Tenancy and Sporting Legacy
Since its reopening, Climate Pledge Arena has solidified its status as a premier multi-sport hub for Seattle. It currently serves as the home ice for the NHL's Seattle Kraken and the PWHL's Seattle Torrent, while also hosting the WNBA's Seattle Storm and Seattle University Redhawks men's basketball team. The venue continues to support local sports culture by housing the Rat City Roller Derby league and serving as a host for major collegiate tournaments, including the Pac-12 women's basketball championship and potential future Big Ten events. This modern era builds upon a storied past where the site was the long-time home of the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics from 1967 until their controversial relocation in 2008. The arena also hosted the Seattle Totems and Thunderbirds hockey teams across different decades, establishing a deep-rooted tradition of professional athletics that has persisted through various renovations and naming rights changes over more than half a century.
Financial Models and Naming Rights
The transition from KeyArena to Climate Pledge Arena marked a fundamental shift in how the venue is funded and operated. The original facility was notable as the first publicly financed arena in the region fully supported by earned income, though it struggled financially after the SuperSonics departed, leaving little reserve beyond basic maintenance. In stark contrast, the new Climate Pledge Arena was entirely privately financed, a model that allows the city to collect annual rent and a share of event revenues rather than bearing construction costs. The naming rights were acquired by Amazon in June 2020, reflecting a strategic commitment to environmental advocacy. The name specifically honors the 'Climate Pledge,' an initiative led by Global Optimism urging businesses to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2040. This partnership transformed the venue into a global symbol of corporate responsibility and sustainability goals within the sports industry.
Historic Milestones and Championship Moments
The history of this site is punctuated by some of the most significant moments in Seattle's athletic history, particularly during its tenure as the home of the SuperSonics. The arena hosted two NBA Finals series in consecutive years, 1978 and 1979, featuring intense matchups between the Sonics and the Washington Bullets. Although the Bullets won the 1978 title in a dramatic Game 7 on Seattle soil, the Sonics avenged that loss the following year to capture their only championship while based in the Pacific Northwest. Beyond professional basketball, the venue hosted the NBA All-Star Game festivities in 1974 and again in 1987, where legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan competed in special events. These historic achievements, combined with its role as a host for various hockey teams from the Totems to the Thunderbirds, cemented the arena's reputation as a central stage for defining moments in regional sports culture before its modern rebirth.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Seattle Kraken play their inaugural regular season game?
The first match took place on October 13, 2021, ending an eighty-year absence of NHL competition in the city.
Who was the opponent for the Climate Pledge Arena debut?
Seattle faced their provincial rivals, the Vancouver Canucks, during this historic opening night at the newly renovated venue.
Did the Kraken win their first ever home game?
Yes, the team secured a victory in overtime against the Canucks to celebrate their return to professional hockey.
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