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  4. Venue and Parking Information

Venue and Parking Information

Parking

Graduates and guests have several transportation and parking options to get to Alaska Airlines Arena, 3870 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle, WA 98105, on June 20.   

Free parking is available at Seattle Central College and North Seattle College for graduates and guests. We encourage graduates and guests to use convenient Sound Transit Link Light Rail transportation (UW Station) and close walking access to the Alaska Arena.

  • Seattle Central College Parking at Harvard Garage (1609 Harvard Ave)
    • Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
    • Mention you are attending Seattle Colleges Commencement to the parking booth attendant upon entry to the garage.
    • Walk to the Link Light Rail at Capitol Hill bound for Lynwood City Center. Ride for one stop to University of Washington Station. 
  • North Seattle College Parking (9600 College Way N)
    • Free parking is available in the North Lot (directly adjacent to the John Lewis Memorial Bridge)
    • Walk over the bridge to the Link light rail at Northgate Station bound for Angle Lake. Ride three stops to University of Washington Station.
    • (You may also consider Northgate Station's park-and-ride garages owned by Sound Transit as additional options).

At the UW Seattle Campus

The light rail station for University of Washington emerges just to the west of Husky Stadium, and is only about one block south of the Alaska Airlines Arena. Refer to the map below for a suggested walking path to the southwest entrances of the arena.

Map of the UW light rail station in respect to Alaska Airlines Arena. The map shows the light rail station roughly one block south of Alaska Airlines Arena. A suggested walking path following in front of Husky Stadium going north to the arena, roughly following Montlake Boulevard NE.

Lot E-18 is a self-serve lot, and parking is paid through the PayByPhone app from the Google Play Store, the iOS App Store or the Windows Store. The PaybyPhone location number for Lot E-18 is 123182. Parking cost is $20.25 by credit card. Cash is not accepted. Pay machines are located in southeast corner of E18.

  • Golf Cart Shuttle
    • A golf cart shuttle to Alaska Arena will be available at the tent in the Southeast corner of Lot E-18 for those that would like assistance. 
  • Accessible Parking
    • ADA and mobility-limited parking may be purchased in advance through the Husky Ticket Office at tickets@uw.edu or (206) 543-2200. A valid state-issued disability parking placard or identification (ID) card is required for purchase.

The Alaska Aitlines Arena website has additional information about transportation and parking at or near Alaska Arena.

At the UW Seattle Campus

Parking Lot E-18 in respect to Alaska Airlines Arena. The parking lot is about three blocks north of the arena along Montlake Boulevard NE. A golf cart shuttle stop is located in the southeast corner of the lot near Wahkiakum Road. The golf cart shuttle will run from that stop to a stop near the northwest entrance of Alaska Airlines Arena. A suggested walking path from Lot E-18 goes from the south end of the lot south on the sidewalk that follows Montlake Bouldevard until it meets the northwest entrance of the arena.
Photo of the three Seattle Colleges mascots -- Star the Treefrog from North, Olivia the Otter from South, and Theo the Tiger from Central -- standing in front of the entrance to Alaska Airlines Arena.

Facilities

  • Alaska Airlines Arena requires everyone to go through security and metal detectors before entering the arena.   
  • Please review the clear bag policy and allowed items in the accordion section below.
  • Refreshments will be available for purchase at arena concession stands, located on both sections of the concourse near the women's restrooms. 
  • Gender-neutral restrooms are available.
  • The quiet lounge is located in room 145. Ask an attendant or usher for assistance.    
  • Please read the clear bag policy for a full list of approved items. *Please note that balloons will not be permitted in the building. If you choose to bring balloons there will be a place to leave them and pick them up directly outside the building.
  • Any item not on the list of approved items will not be allowed into the venue unless otherwise approved and properly inspected. Special considerations will be made for guests with special medical needs and individuals caring for infants.

Click on the image for a larger version.

Approved bags include clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12", one-gallon clear, re-sealable plastic storage bags, and small clutch bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" (approximately the size of a hand) with or without a handle or strap. Prohibited bags include but are not limited to purses, backpacks, diaper bags, binocular cases, camera cases, fanny packs, luggage, seat cushions with a zipper, any bag larger than the permissible size, and any bag that is not clear.Attendees are encouraged to bring only necessary items to Alaska Airlines Arena. All guests and items are subject to search. In an effort to better communicate and enforce approved and prohibited items, please review the following items allowed into Husky athletics events: Service animals, Banners and flags (must be handheld), Binoculars and cameras for still photography, Seat cushions (no zippers or pockets), Containers (empty or factory-sealed plastic water bottles and thermoses and unopened soft-sided juice boxes and baby bottles), Medically necessary items, liquids, or food, Strollers, Approved bags, Umbrellas, Single servings of food, Blankets, Necessary personal items (keys, cell phone, etc.). Any item not on the list of approved items will not be allowed into any of these venues unless otherwise approved and properly inspected. Special considerations will be made for guests with special medical needs and individuals caring for infants.

 

Accessibility

  • Ceremony
    • Captions will be displayed on screen.
    • ASL interpreters will be displayed on the screens.
  • Service animals are welcome at Alaska Airlines Arena.
  • All restrooms are ADA accessible.
  • Alaska Airlines Arena has designated easy access and wheelchair seating options available, in accordance with federal ADA rules.
  • If requested, a student with a disability can be accompanied by a companion.

If you or your guests require other disability-related accommodations, contact your campus Disability Support Services office.

Graduates and guests may enter at either the Northwest Entrance or Southwest Entrance to Alaska Airlines Arena.

First Stop, graduates should check in at the tables located on the south part of the concourse. Check in by the first letter of your last name, or if you registered after May 26, check in at the No Stage Pass? table. There is also a "Selfie Station" for fun photos.

The north part of the concourse offers tables representing the Student Experience and include:

  • Access, Community, and Opportunity
  • Seattle Promise
  • Explore Bachelor's Degrees
  • Graduate buttons and pins
  • Assistance with caps and gowns 
  • Honor cords distribution
  • Seattle Colleges scholarship recipients
  • Scholar portraits
  • Grad Images professional portraits

Concessions are offered on both sections of the concourse, located near the women's restrooms. 

Seating will be available for student before the ceremony in sections 9, 11, and 12.

Click image for larger version of concourse map. PDF of concourse map (for print only).

Map of Alaska Airlines Arena Concourse for Seattle Colleges Commencement. Right side of map represents the south part of the concourse. The Southwest Entrance is at lower right. Just off the entrance to the immediate left is an accessible ramp, and between the Northwest and Southwest Entrances is and information table as well as drinking fountain, and restrooms. Along the south concourse are tables for registration, where graduates will check in by the first letter of their last name. There are six tables for last names as follows: A through C, D through G, H through L, M through R, S through Z, and No Stage Pass, for students who registered to attend commencement after May 26, 2025. Left side of map represents the north part of the concourse. The Northwest Entrance is at lower left. Just off the entrance to the immediate right are an accessible ramp and tables for Access, Community, and Opportunity as well as Seattle Promise. Along the north concourse are tables for the following: Explore Bachelor's Degrees; Grad Buttons and Pins; Cap, Gown, Honor Cords; Seattle Colleges Scholarship Recipients; Scholar Portraits; and Grad Images Professional Portraits; as well and accessible men's and women's restrooms. In the center of the map is the entrance to the arena. Lower left, close to the Northwest Entrance is ceremony seating section 12 which will offer grad seating before the processional (also sections 11 and 9). Close to the Southwest Entrance is ceremony seating sections 11 and 9, which will offer grad seating before the processional. Towards the top center of the map is the Arena Floor, with the Stage at the top, representing the east section of the floor. The stage is where the Chancellor and College presidents will sit and where graduates will walk across to receive their diploma covers and have their names read. In the center, the the west of the stage is the seating for graduates during the ceremony. On the left section, students from Seattle Central and bachelor's degree grads will sit. On the Right, students from North and South Seattle Colleges will site.

 

Approved bags include clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12", one-gallon clear, re-sealable plastic storage bags, and small clutch bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" (approximately the size of a hand) with or without a handle or strap. Prohibited bags include but are not limited to purses, backpacks, diaper bags, binocular cases, camera cases, fanny packs, luggage, seat cushions with a zipper, any bag larger than the permissible size, and any bag that is not clear.
Attendees are encouraged to bring only necessary items to Alaska Airlines Arena. All guests and items are subject to search. In an effort to better communicate and enforce approved and prohibited items, please review the following items allowed into Husky athletics events: Service animals, Banners and flags (must be handheld), Binoculars and cameras for still photography, Seat cushions (no zippers or pockets), Containers (empty or factory-sealed plastic water bottles and thermoses and unopened soft-sided juice boxes and baby bottles), Medically necessary items, liquids, or food, Strollers, Approved bags, Umbrellas, Single servings of food, Blankets, Necessary personal items (keys, cell phone, etc.). Any item not on the list of approved items will not be allowed into any of these venues unless otherwise approved and properly inspected. Special considerations will be made for guests with special medical needs and individuals caring for infants.

Map of Alaska Airlines Arena Concourse for Seattle Colleges Commencement. Right side of map represents the south part of the concourse. The Southwest Entrance is at lower right. Just off the entrance to the immediate left is an accessible ramp, and between the Northwest and Southwest Entrances is and information table as well as drinking fountain, and restrooms. Along the south concourse are tables for registration, where graduates will check in by the first letter of their last name. There are six tables for last names as follows: A through C, D through G, H through L, M through R, S through Z, and No Stage Pass, for students who registered to attend commencement after May 26, 2025. Left side of map represents the north part of the concourse. The Northwest Entrance is at lower left. Just off the entrance to the immediate right are an accessible ramp and tables for Access, Community, and Opportunity as well as Seattle Promise. Along the north concourse are tables for the following: Explore Bachelor's Degrees; Grad Buttons and Pins; Cap, Gown, Honor Cords; Seattle Colleges Scholarship Recipients; Scholar Portraits; and Grad Images Professional Portraits; as well and accessible men's and women's restrooms. In the center of the map is the entrance to the arena. Lower left, close to the Northwest Entrance is ceremony seating section 12 which will offer grad seating before the processional (also sections 11 and 9). Close to the Southwest Entrance is ceremony seating sections 11 and 9, which will offer grad seating before the processional. Towards the top center of the map is the Arena Floor, with the Stage at the top, representing the east section of the floor. The stage is where the Chancellor and College presidents will sit and where graduates will walk across to receive their diploma covers and have their names read. In the center, the the west of the stage is the seating for graduates during the ceremony. On the left section, students from Seattle Central and bachelor's degree grads will sit. On the Right, students from North and South Seattle Colleges will site.