Climate Pledge Arena welcomes first visitors

SEATTLE — After years of anticipation, the Climate Pledge Arena is open.

Seattle’s newest sports and entertainment venue welcomed guests for the first time, as the Foo Fighters broke the space in.

While the official opening takes place Friday with a performance by Coldplay, many people were excited to see the new space.

“I’ve heard it’s amazing, says Geoff Meno. “I’ve heard it’s beautiful and I just can’t wait to see it for myself.”

Large screens line the walls, and the atriums are lined with bars and restaurants.

The centerpiece is a living wall that has already become the heart of the venue.

The building prides itself on being the world’s first net-zero carbon arena.

Those visiting hope to see it live up to that promise, like Tori Conley, who says she wants to “see the ways that it is living up to the climate pledge name and that it is resourceful.”

To get in, guests have to show proof of vaccination by downloading the CLEAR app.

Andrea Hisch says the app asked her for “my name, e-mail vaccination card, identification front and back.”

While many people say it worked well, others struggled with all the steps.

Carolyn Bardon and her family were trying to navigate the CLEAR app before going in. “A little bit of a scramble,” she said, “but we’re excited to be here.”

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