How Much Is Parking at Climate Pledge Arena?
Parking at Climate Pledge Arena ranges from roughly $5 for budget lots more than 10 minutes away to $40–$50 or more for the closest official garages on game night. The Arena Underground Garage at 158 Lenny Wilkens Way starts at $7 per hour, with 24 hours costing $32, and is the most convenient option with direct underground access to the arena concourse. The 5th Ave Garage runs about $40 for walk-up event parking, while third-party aggregators like SpotHero and ParkWhiz list nearby lots starting as low as $12–$20 when reserved in advance.
On-street metered parking in the Uptown neighborhood carries its own event-rate structure for all large events over 10,000 attendees. The current rate for street parking in the Uptown area during events is $4 per hour for the first two hours, then $10 per hour for the following three hours. The Uptown Triangle neighborhood holds at $3 per hour for the first two hours and $8 per hour after that. These street event rates are generally in effect from 5 PM to 10 PM, though weekend events can trigger them earlier and they apply on Sundays and holidays as well.
Pre-purchasing through the Kraken + CPA Mobile App or third-party platforms like SpotHero, ParkWhiz, or Vivid Seats is the best way to lock in lower rates and avoid the walk-up price surge. Budget fans who are willing to park in the downtown core and hop on the Seattle Center Monorail can find garage rates starting around $5–$12, making transit the most cost-effective option on a tight budget.
Climate Pledge Arena Parking Lots and Maps
Climate Pledge Arena is served by three primary public parking garages with a combined capacity of 2,944 vehicles, and the broader area including neighborhood lots and on-street spaces brings the total supply to approximately 7,400 stalls. The three official garages are the Arena Garage (Arena Underground), the 1st Ave N Garage, and the 5th Ave Garage.
The Arena Garage (Arena Underground) at 158 Lenny Wilkens Way sits directly beneath Climate Pledge Arena and provides underground access from multiple entry points. Elevators connect directly to the arena concourse, making it the closest possible option. Hourly rates start at $7, and the garage also features complimentary EV charging stations. The 1st Ave N Garage is a Climate Pledge Arena-operated facility located across Lenny Wilkens Way south of the arena, approximately 0.28 miles away — about a 4–5 minute walk. It holds 620 spaces, starts at $7 per hour, and offers an early-bird weekday rate of $11. It also has Bike Link secure bicycle lockers on a first-come, first-served basis. The 5th Ave Garage is Seattle Center-operated and sits on the east side of the campus at 516 Harrison St. Expect to pay around $40 for walk-up event parking; pre-purchased spots through the Kraken + CPA App are typically cheaper.
For third-party lots, ParkWhiz and SpotHero list a range of options within 0.1–0.3 miles of the arena, including surface lots at 133 1st Ave N (0.1 mi), 115 Mercer St (0.2 mi), and 401 2nd Ave W (0.2 mi). You can use the Kraken + CPA Mobile App to view a live parking map with availability and pricing for both official and partner lots, and pre-reserve your spot before arriving.
Preferred/Premium Parking at Climate Pledge Arena
The most premium parking option at Climate Pledge Arena is the Arena Underground Garage at 158 Lenny Wilkens Way, located directly beneath the arena. It offers patrons underground access from multiple entry points, and elevators connect straight to the arena concourse, so you never need to step outside regardless of Seattle weather. This is the go-to option for fans who prioritize convenience above all else.
Fans can pre-purchase preferred parking through the Kraken + CPA Mobile App or via Ticketmaster when buying tickets. The 5th Ave Garage at 516 Harrison St, just a 5-minute walk from the arena, is another premium choice and is available for pre-purchase through the official app and the Climate Pledge Arena website. Walk-up event rates at the 5th Ave Garage run around $40 per event, but pre-purchased passes typically come in lower. The Komo Plaza Garage at 466 John St carries a flat rate of approximately $50 for Saturday events if you are looking for covered parking slightly farther away.
Free Parking Near Climate Pledge Arena
There is no free parking in the immediate vicinity of Climate Pledge Arena on event nights, but budget-conscious fans have real options if they are willing to walk or use transit. Third-party lots located more than a 10-minute walk from the arena list starting prices as low as $5, including surface lots near 50 Harrison St and 2407 1st Ave. Uptown Queen Anne apartments at 315 1st Ave W and Gem Plaza Garage at 221 1st Ave W both start around $10.
The best free parking strategy for Kraken games is to drive to a Sound Transit Link Light Rail station that offers free parking — several stations along the Link line have park-and-ride availability. From those stations, you take Light Rail to Westlake Station, then transfer to the Seattle Center Monorail for the final 90-second leg to Seattle Center. This approach can cost as little as the price of transit, which is covered free by your Kraken ticket through the Kraken + CPA Mobile App.
Street parking in the Uptown neighborhood is technically available but is prioritized for residents and local business patrons. Event-rate pricing is charged from 5 PM to 10 PM on most event nights, so street parking is not a cost-free alternative on game nights. If you arrive well before the event-rate window opens and find a legal metered space, you can pay standard meter rates, but spots are scarce and turnover is limited.
Can You Tailgate at Climate Pledge Arena?
Traditional tailgating at Climate Pledge Arena is limited — the arena does not operate large designated tailgate lots in the same way a stadium does, and tailgating is generally not permitted during or after events in most of the surrounding garages and lots. Open-flame grills and oil-frying equipment are typically not allowed in the parking areas near the arena.
Seattle Kraken fans who want to tailgate should look at the third-party surface lots in the neighborhood surrounding Seattle Center, where some lot operators do allow pre-game gathering with food and drinks. Always check the specific rules posted at the lot before setting up, as policies vary by operator. The Seattle Center campus itself does not allow camping or tent use on the plaza.
As an alternative to tailgating, multiple bars and restaurants are within a 10-minute walk of Climate Pledge Arena in the Uptown neighborhood and Lower Queen Anne area. These spots are popular pre-game destinations for Kraken fans and are a practical substitute for a traditional parking lot tailgate given the urban setting of the venue.
ADA and Handicap Parking at Climate Pledge Arena
ADA-accessible parking at Climate Pledge Arena is available in the Arena Garage and the 1st Ave N Garage, which are the two closest options to the arena entrance. The 5th Ave Garage also provides ADA spaces. All three official garages offer accessible stalls.
ADA spots in these garages are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is strongly recommended, particularly for high-demand Kraken games. In addition to a valid mobile parking pass or pre-purchased ticket, vehicles must display a valid disabled parking placard or plate to use accessible spaces. Climate Pledge Arena is committed to full ADA compliance and provides accessible services throughout the venue.
Guests who need additional accessibility assistance beyond parking can contact arena Guest Services, located on the main concourse near Section 24 and in the Alaska Airlines Atrium on the west side of the Upper Concourse. During events, guests can also text (206) CPA-HELP for real-time support.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at Climate Pledge Arena
Lyft is the official rideshare partner of Climate Pledge Arena and the Seattle Kraken, and both Uber and Lyft have designated drop-off and pickup zones near the arena. Rideshare vehicles are prohibited from dropping off passengers on 1st Ave N before any event, so drivers must use one of the approved zones.
The approved pre-event rideshare drop-off locations include Republican St and Warren Ave N, the MoPOP turnaround, the Mercer St/Marion Oliver McCaw Hall drop-off zone, and the Denny Way/Pacific Science Center drop-off zone. For fans wanting the most direct walk, the designated drop-off areas near 5th Avenue North and Harrison Street provide a straightforward approach to the arena’s east entrance.
Post-event pickup rules are equally important to know before you leave your seat. For 45 minutes following the conclusion of any Climate Pledge Arena event, rideshare vehicles are prohibited from picking up passengers in the immediate vicinity. After that window closes, passengers can resume normal pickup. During the 45-minute blackout, walk east to Thomas St and Taylor Ave N for premium rideshare pickup, or to Dexter Ave N and Thomas St for standard rideshare. To avoid surge pricing, consider stopping at a nearby bar or restaurant for 30–45 minutes before requesting your ride.
Public Transit to Climate Pledge Arena
Public transit is the fastest and most practical way to reach Climate Pledge Arena, and every publicly ticketed event ticket includes a free King County transit pass redeemable through the Kraken + CPA Mobile App. The pass is valid two hours before doors open and two hours after the event ends, and it covers the Seattle Center Monorail as well.
The Seattle Center Monorail is the most direct transit connection. It runs between Westlake Center in downtown Seattle and the Seattle Center station — a 90-second ride — and the Seattle Center station is just a short walk from the arena entrance. The Monorail runs every 3–4 minutes and continues operating for at least 60 minutes after all Climate Pledge Arena events conclude. The Monorail accepts ORCA cards, credit and debit cards, and contactless payment.
Sound Transit Link Light Rail is the best option for fans coming from outside downtown Seattle, including from Sea-Tac Airport, which is 15 miles south. Link trains run every 8–10 minutes most of the day and run past midnight seven days a week. Take Light Rail to Westlake Station, then transfer to the Monorail for the final leg to Seattle Center. Free parking is available at several Link stations along the line for fans who want to drive part of the way. King County Metro bus routes 1, 2, 8, and 13 also stop near the arena and Seattle Center, and the adult bus fare is $2.75. Sound Transit ST Express buses connect to downtown Seattle where Monorail transfers are available. ORCA cards are accepted across all of these transit modes and eliminate the need to buy individual tickets.
Climate Pledge Arena Parking Tips
The single most important step you can take before a Kraken game is to download the Kraken + CPA Mobile App in advance. The app lets you view a live parking map with availability and pricing, pre-purchase a spot in any of the official or partner garages, and claim your free transit pass — all before you leave the house.
For fans who insist on driving and parking close, the Arena Underground Garage at 158 Lenny Wilkens Way is the top choice for direct, weather-proof access. Pre-purchase through the app to avoid walk-up premium pricing. If that garage is sold out, the 1st Ave N Garage at 0.28 miles is the next closest official option. Fans using the South/1st Ave entrance to the arena should target the 1st Ave N Garage; fans entering through the East Plaza or near the Space Needle Lounge (Entry 7) will find the 5th Ave Garage on the east side of campus more convenient.
For the best overall value, park at a Link Light Rail station with free parking, ride to Westlake Station, and use the Monorail for the final stretch. This strategy eliminates the post-game traffic jam entirely. If you do drive, aim to arrive at least 60–90 minutes before puck drop on Kraken game nights — the Mercer Street exit from I-5 and the SR-99 approach both experience heavy event-night congestion. The arena address is 334 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109. Climate Pledge Arena is entirely cashless, so all parking and in-arena transactions require a card or mobile payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at Climate Pledge Arena for a Kraken game?
Official garage parking for Kraken games typically runs $32u2013$50 for walk-up event rates, with the Arena Underground Garage starting at $7 per hour. Pre-purchasing through the Kraken + CPA App or third-party platforms like SpotHero can bring costs down to $20u2013$35. Budget lots more than 10 minutes away start at $5.
Where is the closest parking to Climate Pledge Arena?
The Arena Underground Garage at 158 Lenny Wilkens Way is located directly beneath Climate Pledge Arena and connects to the arena concourse via elevators, making it the closest parking available. The 1st Ave N Garage across Lenny Wilkens Way south of the arena is the next closest at about 0.28 miles away.
Can I pre-purchase parking for a Kraken game at Climate Pledge Arena?
Yes. You can pre-purchase parking through the Kraken + CPA Mobile App, via Ticketmaster when buying event tickets, or through third-party platforms including SpotHero, ParkWhiz, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats. Pre-purchasing locks in a guaranteed spot and generally costs less than walk-up event rates.
Is there free parking near Climate Pledge Arena?
There is no free parking immediately adjacent to the arena on event nights. The most practical free parking strategy is to park at a Sound Transit Link Light Rail station u2014 several stations have free park-and-ride lots u2014 then ride Light Rail to Westlake Station and transfer to the Seattle Center Monorail to reach the arena.
Where do Uber and Lyft drop off at Climate Pledge Arena?
Rideshare vehicles are not allowed to drop off on 1st Ave N before events. Approved drop-off zones include Republican St and Warren Ave N, the MoPOP turnaround, the Mercer St/McCaw Hall drop-off zone, and the Denny Way/Pacific Science Center zone. Post-event pickup is restricted for 45 minutes near the arena; walk east to Dexter Ave N and Thomas St for standard rideshare pickup.
Does my Kraken ticket include free transit?
Yes. A free King County public transit pass is included with all publicly ticketed Climate Pledge Arena events, including Kraken games. You must download the Kraken + CPA Mobile App, link your Ticketmaster account, and redeem the pass through the Travel section of the app. The pass is valid two hours before doors open and two hours after the event, and it covers the Seattle Center Monorail as well.
Where is ADA parking at Climate Pledge Arena?
ADA-accessible parking is available in the Arena Garage (Arena Underground), the 1st Ave N Garage, and the 5th Ave Garage. Spots are first-come, first-served, so arriving early is recommended. Vehicles must display a valid disabled parking placard or plate in addition to a valid parking pass.
Is tailgating allowed at Climate Pledge Arena?
Traditional tailgating is very limited at Climate Pledge Arena. Most garages and nearby lots do not permit tailgating during or after events, and open-flame or oil-frying equipment is generally prohibited. Some third-party surface lots in the surrounding neighborhood may allow pre-game gathering; always check posted rules at the specific lot.
