ShoWare Center

What ShoWare Center does

accesso ShoWare Center is a multi-purpose event arena located at 625 W James St, Kent, Washington, owned by the City of Kent and managed under a public-private arrangement by Legends Global (operating brand: accesso). The venue opened in 2009 and has been in continuous operation for approximately 15 years, hosting a diverse program of sporting events, concerts, family shows, graduations, and community events. Its anchor tenants are the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL junior hockey team, 2026-2027 season scheduled September 26, 2026 through March 27, 2027) and the Tacoma Stars (Major Arena Soccer League professional indoor soccer team, 2025-2026 season scheduled December 2025 through March 2026). Beyond sports, the venue hosts touring concerts across genres (K-pop, country, hip-hop, Latin, Christian), family shows (Disney on Ice, Harlem Globetrotters, Paw Patrol Live, WWE), and large-scale community programming including 35-plus high school graduations per year from seven-plus school districts and three college commencements (Renton Technical College, Green River College, Highline College).

The venue's technology stack centers on the Saffire / SaffireTix third-party ticketing platform, which powers online ticket purchasing through tickets.accessoshowarecenter.com, integrated box office operations, will-call management, and ticket scanning for entry. Administrative management is handled by ASM Global, and the venue deploys standard event-venue tooling including clear bag policy enforcement, ADA accessibility features, mobile entry support, multi-channel marketing (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, email, radio co-promotions with 100.7 The Wolf and KISW), and SEO/local search visibility. A Preferred Partners sponsorship program and a Community Events Fund administered with the Kent Community Foundation provide community-facing and sponsorship revenue diversification.

The business model comprises five documented revenue streams: (1) ticket sales across all event categories with variable per-event pricing and a no-refund policy, (2) in-person box office fees during limited operating hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am-2 pm; event-day weekends and holidays at 12 pm), (3) suite rentals and premium seating for sports and concerts, (4) reserved parking via the Doxon Toyota Save-a-Spot program on the west lot for graduations and major events, and (5) facility and event space rental covering The Ultra Club and private/corporate bookings. Distribution spans e-commerce via SaffireTix, in-person box office, phone sales, group sales (20+ attendees), and direct enterprise sales for suite rentals and private event contracts. Customer segments served include sports fans (hockey/soccer), concert-goers across genres, families with children seeking family entertainment, community organizations (school districts, colleges, nonprofits), and group/corporate clients purchasing group tickets or suites.

Name

ShoWare Center

Legal name

accesso ShoWare Center

Website

https://showarecenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

accesso ShoWare Center is a multi-purpose arena in Kent, WA owned by the City of Kent and managed by Legends Global, hosting Seattle Thunderbirds hockey, Tacoma Stars soccer, concerts, family shows, graduations, and community events via SaffireTix ticketing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Event Venue / Arena

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Primary Ticketing Platforms & Box Office Systems (MPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL), Ticketing, Box Office & Access Control (MPAGAAAD)

Keywords

• Live event venue
• Event ticketing services
• Sports arena hosting
• Concert and family shows
• Venue management

Headquarters

HQ city

Kent

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue from ticket sales across all event categories (concerts, sports, family shows, community events). All sales are final with no refunds unless required by law.
2. Box Office Fees: In-person ticket purchases at box office with specific operating hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10am-2pm; Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays on event days open at 12pm.
3. Suite Rentals and Premium Experiences: Revenue from suite rentals and premium seating options including group sales for events.
4. Reserved Parking (Doxon Toyota Save-a-Spot): Paid reserved parking in Doxon Toyota lot on the west side of the venue for graduations and other events.
5. Facility and Event Space Rental: Private event bookings including The Ultra Club, private events, and corporate/community event hosting.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

accesso ShoWare Center is a multi-purpose arena in Kent, Washington that hosts and sells tickets to concerts, sporting events (WHL hockey and MASL indoor soccer), family shows, high school and college graduations, and community events. Ticketing is delivered through the Saffire/SaffireTix online platform and an on-site box office, with additional paid offerings including suite rentals, private event bookings, group sales, and reserved parking.

Product overview

accesso ShoWare Center is a multi-purpose event venue in Kent, Washington managed by Legends Global/ASM Global. The venue operates primarily as a ticketing and event hosting platform, offering event tickets through the Saffire ticketing platform, with a network of related services including box office operations, group sales, suite rentals, and private event booking. The venue hosts a diverse range of events including Seattle Thunderbirds and Tacoma Stars sporting events, concerts, family shows, high school and college graduations, and community events. Additional services include a Community Events Fund for accessibility and a Preferred Partners sponsorship program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Saffire Online Ticketing (SaffireTix) Online event ticketing platform for purchasing tickets to concerts, sporting events, family shows, graduations, and community events; supports will-call pickup and ticket scanning for entry.
• Box Office Services On-site ticket purchasing at the venue box office, open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10am-2pm; Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays on event days at noon.
• Venue Rental and Private Event Booking Private event booking services including The Ultra Club venue space, corporate events, and general venue rental for various occasions.
• Group Sales Discounted ticket packages for groups of 20 or more attendees, available for sporting events and concerts.
• Suite Rentals and Premium Experiences Premium suite rentals and premium seating experiences for corporate entertaining and private events during venue events.
• Reserved Parking (Doxon Toyota Save-a-Spot) Pre-paid reserved parking in the Doxon Toyota lot on the west side of the venue, sold for graduations and major events.
• Preferred Partners Sponsorship Program Sponsorship program with corporate and non-profit partnership tiers for businesses seeking to connect with venue audiences.

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Legends GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegends Global is the venue management company operating accesso ShoWare Center. They handle day-to-day operations, staffing, hiring, and event management. Legends Global careers page lists open positions across Food & Beverage, Guest Services, and Operations. Privacy Notice and Terms of Use link to legendsglobal.com.
• ASM GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASM Global is the venue's administrative management company. ASM Global Admin Office operates Monday through Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM. Hiring is conducted through ASM Global's workday portal (asmglobal.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com) for positions at accesso ShoWare Center.
• Saffire / SaffireTixcoreTechnology or IntegrationSaffire (with SaffireTix platform) provides the ticketing technology powering accesso ShoWare Center's website and box office. Used for online ticket purchases, refunds, and chargebacks. Customer support contact: [email protected].
• Kent Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKent Community Foundation partners with accesso ShoWare Center on the Community Events Fund, a charitable initiative dedicated to making recreational, sporting, and cultural experiences accessible to everyone in the Greater Kent area by covering admission costs for individuals and families who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend events.
• Visit KentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVisit Kent (visitkent.com) is a tourism partner promoting the venue as a visitor destination. Cross-promotional content links between accessoshowarecenter.com and visitkent.com for hotels, dining, and local events in Kent.
• Preferred Partners ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate and Non-Profit partners listed under Preferred Partners program on accessoshowarecenter.com/sponsors.aspx. Includes corporate sponsors and nonprofit partners supporting venue events.
• Doxon ToyotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDoxon Toyota provides Save-a-Spot reserved parking on the west side of accesso ShoWare Center for graduations and major events. Parking passes sold via tickets.accessoshowarecenter.com.
• Smith Brothers FarmsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSmith Brothers Farms donates milk for the Cookie Hooky fundraiser supporting the Community Events Fund. Listed as a sponsor for the event along with All City Fence and National Event Pros.
• National Event ProsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Event Pros donates yard games for the Cookie Hooky fundraiser supporting the Community Events Fund. Listed as a sponsor for the event along with Smith Brothers Farms and All City Fence.
• Comeback SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerComeback Sports sponsors Tacoma Stars events, providing team photos for fan giveaways (first 2000 fans receive free team photo at Alumni and Fan Appreciation Night).
• Kent Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKent Chamber of Commerce partners with accesso ShoWare Center to host the Annual Regional Business Expo featuring over 100 exhibitors, and the South King County Employer Summit.
• 'Wich Came First Food TruckminorGTM or Marketing Partner'Wich Came First Food Truck provides food for purchase at Cookie Hooky fundraiser, with a portion of sales donated to the Community Events Fund.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Yakima Valley SunDome: Multi-purpose arena in Yakima, WA (~7,000 capacity) hosting sporting events, concerts, and graduations. Closest comparable in scale and event-type mix for a Pacific Northwest mid-market arena.
• Toyota Center: Multi-purpose arena in Kennewick, WA hosting WHL Tri-City Americans and regional entertainment. Comparable mid-size capacity, similar sports-anchor + touring content business model, and same Pacific Northwest market tier.
• Spokane Arena: Multi-purpose arena in Spokane, WA (~12,000 capacity) hosting WHL Spokane Chiefs, concerts, and family shows. Operates a similar anchor-tenant + touring content model in the Inland Northwest market.
• Angel of the Winds Arena: Multi-purpose arena in Everett, WA (similar ~8,000 capacity) hosting WHL Everett Silvertips and regional concerts, family shows, and graduations. Most directly comparable venue in the Seattle metro mid-size arena tier.
• Veterans Memorial Coliseum: Multi-purpose arena in Portland, OR (~12,000 capacity) hosting concerts, family shows, and community events. Comparable tier of mid-size arena serving a Pacific Northwest urban market.

Broad incumbents

• Tacoma Dome: 23,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Tacoma, WA — the larger venue serving the South Puget Sound region. Competes for touring concerts and family shows that might otherwise route to ShoWare Center, but at a higher capacity tier.
• Climate Pledge Arena: 18,100-seat arena in Seattle operated by Oak View Group. Anchors premium touring content in the Seattle metro; while ShoWare Center operates in a different tier, it competes indirectly for the same touring promoter relationships and consumer entertainment dollars.
• Legends Hospitality: Parent operator of accesso ShoWare Center and one of the largest venue management and hospitality companies globally. Owns/operates many comparable venues, providing the institutional management and content routing infrastructure that backs the venue.

Regional players

• Langley Events Centre: Multi-purpose arena in Langley, BC hosting Vancouver Giants (WHL), concerts, and family shows. Comparable in capacity and content mix, operating across the border in the Canadian Pacific market.
• Abbotsford Centre: Multi-purpose arena in Abbotsford, BC (~7,000 capacity) hosting AHL Abbotsford Canucks and entertainment events. Comparable scale and event-type mix but operates in a different national market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ShoWareCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/accessoShoWareCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/showare-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/accessoshowarecenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ShoWare Center