Seattle Kraken tickets: home games, Helsinki and Climate Pledge Arena in 2026-27
The Kraken are the NHL's newest-feeling team: a sea-monster brand, a rebuilt arena in the shadow of the Space Needle and a fanbase that grew fast. In 2026-27 you can catch them in Seattle or even in Helsinki. Here is how to plan your Kraken home games, choose seats and book smart.
Kraken in 2026-27: a young franchise with deep Seattle hockey roots
The Kraken began play in 2021 as the league's 32nd team, but hockey in Seattle goes back much further. The Seattle Metropolitans won the Stanley Cup in 1917, becoming the first American team to do so, and the city has a long junior-hockey tradition. The Kraken brand borrows from sea legends, wears deep-sea blues and has made the franchise one of the most recognizable newcomers in the league.
The 2026-27 season runs 84 games, and Seattle opens at home on October 4, 2026 and finishes its home schedule on April 3, 2027. Between them sits a stand-out calendar item: the NHL Global Series in Helsinki, where the Kraken and the Carolina Hurricanes play twice in November. For European fans, that makes the Kraken a rare chance to see a West Coast team without crossing the Atlantic.
Climate Pledge Arena: the Kraken's home beside the Space Needle
Climate Pledge Arena holds 17,151 for hockey and sits at Seattle Center, the park-like campus with the Space Needle, museums and fountains. The building was reconstructed inside the shell of the old KeyArena, which preserved its famous roof, and reopened for the Kraken's debut in 2021. It is as much about sustainability as spectacle, so expect refillable options and a green focus.
Getting to Climate Pledge Arena
The easiest route is Link light rail to Westlake in downtown, then the Seattle Center Monorail, a short ride that drops you almost at the arena door. Buses and rideshare also serve the area. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport connects to Westlake by light rail, so you can land and reach the center without a rental car. Parking near the arena exists but fills up quickly.
Eating and drinking around Climate Pledge Arena
Inside, the arena offers a wide choice of food and local beers. Outside, Lower Queen Anne has restaurants and bars a short walk away, while the Seattle Center grounds make a pleasant place to wander before puck drop. As in any major arena, small bags are the safest choice, so read the official bag policy before you head out.
Helsinki: seeing the Kraken in the NHL Global Series
The NHL takes its Global Series to Helsinki in November 2026, and Seattle is part of it. The Kraken face the Hurricanes at Veikkaus Arena on November 12, 2026, with Seattle as the designated home team, and again on November 14, 2026, with Carolina as home team. For fans in Europe, this is the easiest Kraken experience of the year.
Why the Kraken games in Helsinki are special
Global Series games usually feel like festivals: local fans come to see NHL hockey, jerseys from every team appear and the atmosphere mixes curiosity with plenty of noise. Finland is a hockey nation, so expect knowledgeable fans who appreciate every detail of the game.
Planning a Kraken trip to Helsinki
Helsinki is compact and easy by tram, and evenings in November are dark and cold, so pack warm layers. Book flights and a hotel early, because Global Series dates attract travelers from across Europe. Mobile tickets are standard, and ticket prices can vary a lot between the two nights, so use our alert to track both.
Where to sit for Kraken games: views, value and first-timer tips
Climate Pledge Arena has a tall, steep bowl, so the upper levels still feel close.
Lower bowl for the full Kraken view
The sideline seats near center provide the clearest picture of plays developing and a close look at the bench. Corner seats near the ends where the Kraken attack twice are a good compromise between price and action.
Upper bowl value at Climate Pledge Arena
The upper rows are much more affordable and allow you to follow passing lanes and systems clearly. Pick the center sections over the far corners when you can. Groups and first-timers often get the best value up high.
Family and first-timer tips for Kraken games
Weekend and early starts are easiest with children. Bring a layer, because arenas run cool, and arrive early so you can see warmups and find your seat calmly. Seattle weather is often damp, so wear a light waterproof jacket for the walk from the Monorail.
Kraken atmosphere: sea-monster theater, rain-soaked fans and tradition
Kraken home games lean into their theme. Expect deep-sea blue lighting, big screens, tentacle-friendly graphics and a crowd that enjoys playing along. When the home team scores, the building erupts with a goal horn and chants of Release the Kraken.
The Seattle sports crowd
Seattle is a proud sports city with a loud streak, and the Kraken crowd tends to be younger and more diverse than traditional hockey markets. You will see plenty of fans in the team's blue, red and ice-blue colors, plus visitors from Vancouver and Vegas on the right nights.
Pre- and post-game rituals around Seattle Center
Many fans meet near the Space Needle before heading in, and the nearby bars fill up after the game. If you like a relaxed night out, take the Monorail back to Westlake and finish with dinner downtown.
Kraken rivalries: Vancouver, Vegas and Edmonton
The three biggest rivalries on the Kraken's 2026-27 home schedule are all with Pacific Division opponents.
Kraken vs. Vancouver Canucks
A natural Cascadia rivalry with thousands of Canucks fans making the trip down I-5 or by train. Vancouver visits Climate Pledge Arena on November 19, 2026 and January 3, 2027, the latter a Sunday that fits a weekend trip.
Kraken vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas and Seattle joined the league within four years of each other, and Vegas won the Cup in 2023, so these games carry some spice. The Golden Knights visit Seattle on October 6, 2026 and March 23, 2027, both Tuesdays.
Kraken vs. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers bring a large traveling fanbase south, which means a lot of orange in the building. Edmonton comes to Seattle on November 28, 2026 and March 13, 2027, both Saturdays, so they tend to be among the most lively dates on the calendar.
Buying Kraken tickets smartly, in Seattle and from Europe
Start with the team's official box office, then compare resale marketplaces for the dates you want. Rivalry games and Helsinki dates will move faster than a typical weeknight.
When Kraken tickets tend to be cheaper
- Weeknights against opponents from the other conference.
- Early-season dates in October and November.
- Midweek January and February games, away from holiday travel.
Vancouver, Edmonton and Vegas dates cost more, and so do weekends. Use our ticket alert to catch changes for specific nights.
Booking Kraken tickets from Europe
Seattle is on Pacific Time, usually nine hours behind central Europe, so home games end in the early hours of the morning for you. Pay with an international card, download mobile tickets in advance and keep a screenshot. Check United States entry rules before you book flights.
Best time to visit Seattle for a Kraken game
Autumn and spring are mild, damp and green. Winters are gray but rarely very cold, so a good raincoat matters more than a heavy parka.