Game night at Climate Pledge Arena is one of the best nights out in Seattle. Whether you’re there for hockey, basketball, or a big concert, the crowd is fired up, and Seattle Center is buzzing before you even get inside. The easiest way to be part of it without the traffic headache? Take the Seattle Monorail. Board at Westlake Center, and about two minutes later you’re at Seattle Center Station, a short walk from the arena doors.
Key Takeaways
- The Monorail takes you from Westlake Center to Seattle Center Station in about two minutes, skipping the traffic around the arena.
- Your ticket to any publicly ticketed Climate Pledge Arena event includes a free transit pass that works on the Monorail.
- The Monorail stays open one hour after an arena event’s scheduled end time, so plan your ride home around that.
Game Nights Come Around Often
Climate Pledge Arena hosts NHL Kraken and PWHL Torrent hockey, WNBA Storm basketball, and a steady lineup of concerts, so there’s something on the calendar through much of the year. That’s great news for fans. It also means the streets around Seattle Center fill up often, not just for the big rivalry games, so a go-to game plan for getting there pays off season after season. And, fingers crossed, if the Seattle SuperSonics ever make the comeback local fans keep hoping for, the same plan will work for those nights too.
How Your Travel Options Stack Up
Here’s a quick look at the usual ways fans get to the arena.
- Driving to the arena: Parking close to Climate Pledge Arena tends to fill up fast on event nights. After the game, everyone pulls out at the same time.
- Rideshare: Handy for the drop-off. After the game, though, you’re waiting on a ride along with thousands of other fans, and prices can climb when demand spikes.
- Link light rail plus the Monorail: Ride Link downtown, get off at Westlake Station, and let the Monorail cover the last stretch in about two minutes.
- Parking downtown plus the Monorail: Leave the car in a garage near Westlake Center and ride the rest of the way. Just check the garage’s closing time before you head in.
The common thread? Once you’re at Westlake Center, the last leg is the easy part.
Riding In With the Crowd
There’s something fun about boarding a train full of jerseys and team colors, everyone headed to the same place. The ride takes about two minutes, and from Seattle Center Station it’s a short walk to the arena. Coming in on Link? Take Exit A2 at Westlake Station, which puts you closest to the Monorail.
Your Ticket Doubles as Your Ride
Here’s a perk a lot of fans miss. Tickets to publicly ticketed events at Climate Pledge Arena come with a free transit pass, and it’s good on the Monorail. Storm, Kraken and Torrent games count, and so do concerts. You’ll find it in the Kraken + CPA App. Despite the name, that’s the arena’s app for every event in the building, not just hockey. Just keep in mind that the pass is valid until two hours after the event, but the Monorail closes a little sooner than that, so its hours are the ones to plan around.
Know Before You Go: Seattle Center Station Construction
Here’s a quick note before you head out: Seattle Center Station began a 15-month renovation in September 2026. The good news is the Monorail is still here for you, running on its regular schedule the whole time, with trains leaving each station about every 8 to 10 minutes.
For game night, that means both trains will be available whenever possible. As the work moves along, though, there will be times when only one train is running. A little extra time and patience go a long way, and both are appreciated. The payoff is worth it: the station is getting a glow-up, with an upgraded ramp, automated platform doors, better lighting and signage, and more roof coverage. The station is targeted for completion in late 2027.
Ready to see what’s coming? Check out the Station Reconfiguration Project page for the timeline, answers to common questions, and news coverage.
Getting Home After the Game
Lines are longest right after the game, so if you’re not in a hurry, hang back a few minutes and let the first wave go. It’s worth a quick look at the extended hours page on game day to confirm your night’s closing time.
Enjoy the Game
Whichever team or show brings you to Climate Pledge Arena, getting there doesn’t have to be the hard part. Head to Westlake Center, hop on the Monorail, and save your energy for cheering. Plan your ride at seattlemonorail.com.
Related Reads:
Skip Seattle Storm Traffic. Take the Seattle Monorail! or What’s the Most Reliable Way to Commute to Seattle Center for Evening Events?
