America’s First Indoor Climbing Gym Invests in the Next Generation of Climbers

Vertical World’s new 50,000-square-foot Seattle climbing gym expands bouldering and creates the nation’s largest youth-only climbing facility.

SEATTLE, WA, UNITED STATES, August 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — SEATTLE, Wash. — Aug. 19, 2026 — As the popularity of bouldering and youth climbing programs continues to grow, Vertical World, America’s first indoor climbing gym, is expanding its Seattle presence with the opening of a new 50,000-square-foot climbing facility located in Magnolia. The expansion includes a dedicated bouldering gym and youth climbing center. Vertical World’s nationally recognized youth climbing team has produced multiple national champions and athletes who have competed at the highest levels of the sport.

Founded in 1987, Vertical World pioneered indoor rock climbing in the United States, beginning with painted plywood walls and rocks glued on as handholds inside a warehouse on Elliott Avenue. The gym attracted world-class climbers from the Pacific Northwest and around the world. Nearly 40 years after introducing indoor climbing to America, the company continues to evolve alongside the climbing community it helped build.

The new facility is designed to support continued growth of climbing in Seattle with spaces for recreational climbers and youth athletes. Approximately 30,000 square feet of the facility is devoted to bouldering. The remaining 20,000 square feet is dedicated entirely to youth programming for climbers ages 3-18, creating the nation’s largest youth-only climbing facility. The space includes expanded climbing areas and a training center for Vertical World’s nationally recognized youth climbing team.

“Seattle has always been a climbing city, and we’ve watched generations of climbers grow up inside our gyms,” said Rich Johnston. “This expansion is about investing in the future of climbing and creating a space where kids, families and our entire community can continue to grow together. Youth climbing has always been one of the most important parts of who we are, and this new facility allows us to support that in a much bigger way.”

The bouldering gym is now open and the youth climbing center is expected to open in September for fall youth programs. Registration is underway for fall youth programs. For membership, community programming and event information, visit www.verticalworld.com.

Vertical World will host its annual Summer Slam competition on Aug. 29. The event, which has been held for more than 20 years, is expected to attract about 200 competitors and 600 spectators, including many nationally ranked climbers who got their start with Vertical World’s youth program.

Learn more about Vertical World’s history as America’s first indoor climbing gym in the two-part video series: A Climb Through Time, Plywood and Rocks (Part 1) and Building the Future (Part 2).

About Vertical World

Vertical World is America’s first indoor climbing gym, founded in 1987 in Seattle, Washington. Vertical World provides climbing facilities, youth programs, youth climbing team, private instruction, fitness and yoga classes, camps, events and community-driven experiences for climbers of all ages and skill levels. The company operates gyms in Seattle, Lynnwood and Shoreline. Its mission is to deliver the best indoor climbing experience to the customer based on excellent customer service, high-level route setting, good selection of music and cleanliness.

Brock Dion
Vertical World
+1 561-713-4181
email us here

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Written By: EIN Presswire