Seattle is a city that doesn’t take sports lightly and its locals can prove it. Seattle Seahawks fans are notoriously animated, having broken a Guinness World Record for the loudest stadium during their game against the San Francisco 49ers in 2013.
Whether it’s seeing the professional NFL team or catching an ice hockey game at the newly opened Climate Pledge Arena, sports fans are spoiled for choice on arrival to the Emerald City. With the Super Bowl just around the corner (Sunday 13 February), below is a list of the destination’s biggest sports news and events that are not to be missed.
Ice Hockey History
Creating history, the Seattle Kraken is a professional up-and-coming ice hockey team. In autumn last year, the team opened a new, state-of-the-art Kraken Community Iceplex skating rink for the whole community to benefit from. They are the first professional hockey team to play for Seattle in the National Hockey League since 1975 and compete for the Stanley Cup since 1924. Enticing hockey fans to the city, they’re now participating in the 21-22 season with home games at the Climate Pledge Arena.
Major League Rugby with the Seawolves
A founding member of Major League Rugby (MLR), the Seattle Seawolves are currently participating in the 2022 tournament with selected matches being nationally televised. They are the only back-to-back champions in Seattle’s professional sports history. Not one to be missed, fans can buy tickets to watch history be made at Starfire Sports, Tukwila, an epicentre for sports in the Pacific Northwest and just a short drive from Seattle city centre.
USA Rugby World Cup Bid
In late 2021, USA Rugby launched its bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2027 or 2031. Featuring 20 nations and 48 matches over seven weeks, Seattle is one of the 28 cities that have shown interest in hosting games. Also bidding to manage the women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029, the decision will be made in May 2022.
Witness a Storm During Women’s Basketball
A local on the basketball scene, Seattle Storm brings the best in women’s professional basketball as a perennial powerhouse of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Backed by an all-female ownership group and with 16 playoff appearances under their belt, the Storm are another unforgettable team to watch at the Climate Pledge Arena with their up-and-coming season beginning this May.
Places to Visit
Climate Pledge Arena
Located at Seattle Centre, the Climate Pledge Arena is a complete redevelopment of a historic landmark that was originally built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. A must-visit for sports fans, the arena is home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, WNBA’s Seattle Storm, and the world’s biggest events. Founded by Amazon and Global Optimism, the arena boasts impressive sustainability credentials and stands as a commitment for companies to be globally net-zero by 2040.
Celebrate with Fans at Xtadium
The newest sports bar in town, Xtadium Lounge is an amazing place to soak in the atmosphere of the Seattle Seahawks and celebrate with fellow fans. On game days the venue provides tableside service, where bottles are delivered with fun sports-themed props, and DJs play music during halftime. Other amenities include an LED wall for game-day displays, a live sports ticker, Xbox stations, and numerous big screens for when a game is playing