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About

Scotiabank Arena is Canada’s premier sports and entertainment venue and home to the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and NBA’s Toronto Raptors.

Owned and operated by MLSE, Scotiabank Arena opened its doors in February 1999 as Air Canada Centre (February 1999 to June 2018). The arena was renamed Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018 and has been recognized with more than 40 industry awards highlighting the venue’s security, accessibility, fan service, environmental commitment, sales and box office service. It has also hosted over 39 million fans at over 2,600 events including multiple NHL and NBA playoff runs, the 2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey, 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend, 2015 IIHF World U20 Championship, 2003 Liberal Party Convention and 2000 NHL All-Star Game. In 2015, the venue unveiled Scotiabank Arena ICONS, a program and permanent fixture commemorating the venue’s rich entertainment history through artist recognition. The artists currently inducted into Scotiabank Arena ICONS include Bon Jovi (most sold-out shows), Russell Peters (best-selling comedian), The Tragically Hip (inaugural concert and 13 sold-out shows), U2 (most sold-out multi-show runs) and Madonna (top performing female artist). Scotiabank Arena’s external space has also become a Toronto entertainment destination with the installation of the Leafs Legends Row, bronzed statues honouring the hockey club’s greatest players, the gathering of thousands of Raptors fans in ‘Jurassic Park’ for each of the team’s postseason games and other significant international events.

 

Owner

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE)

Size

665,000 square foot sports and entertainment complex

The Neighborhood

Located in the heart of the city, Scotiabank Arena is close to the CN Tower, the theatre district, restaurants, 15 major hotels, shopping, and two main transportation arteries: the Gardiner Expressway and Union Station that services the Toronto Transit Commission and GO Transit system. The facility has revitalized the area known as the Railway Lands East.

Scotiabank Arena provides an excellent link between the downtown core and Harbourfront, one of Toronto’s major tourist attractions.

Home Teams

Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL)
Toronto Raptors Basketball Club of the National Basketball Association (NBA)

  • Groundbreaking: February 1997
  • Opening Hockey Game: February 20, 1999 (Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens)
  • Opening Basketball Game: February 21, 1999 (Toronto Raptors vs. Vancouver Grizzlies)
  • Opening concert: The Tragically Hip - December 31st, 1999

Seating Capacity

  • Basketball 19,800 seats
  • Hockey 18,800 seats
  • Full house concerts 19,800 seats
  • Theatre 5,200 seats

Featuring

  • 1020 Club Seats
  • 65 Executive Suites
  • 32 Theatre Suites
  • 16 Loge Suites (2nd and 3rd level loges)
  • Three Group Sales Areas, including a 200-seat gondola
  • Seats throughout the facility are 19″ and 20″ and fully upholstered.
  • Seat Distance: (direct line of sight in basketball mode)
  • Sideline to last seat upper deck: 165ft (50.29m)
  • Baseline to last seat 3rd balcony: 167ft (50.90m)

Accessibility

The arena is user-friendly, providing one per cent of fixed seating for the disabled and their companions. Accessible seating areas are strategically located throughout the building, providing maximum flexibility and pricing selection. Among other features, all public washrooms are wheelchair accessible with accommodating counter heights and lower urinals with grab bars. Food and beverage service counters are lowered to accessible service heights.

Arena Usage

Basketball, hockey, arena football, lacrosse, concerts, family shows, skating events, corporate trade shows, circuses, and various sporting and community events and private functions.

Restaurants

Themed concession stands, unique restaurants and kiosks offer a diverse food and beverage program, capturing the multicultural flavour of Toronto.
The venue boasts three restaurants: Scotia Club - with a view of the arena, Platinum Club - for fine dining, and Hot Stove Club. 

Parking and Transportation

There are ample parking spaces within immediate walking distance of the arena. In addition, the arena is just a two-minute walk from Union Station with the GO Transit system of commuter trains as well as Toronto’s world-renowned TTC subway system.

Technology

The state-of-the-art BOSE sound system, worth more than $1-million, provides fans with exceptional sound quality.

Scoreboard

In 2008 an $8-million, 17-screen high-definition video scoreboard, measuring 10 feet high by 17 feet wide and made by Mitsubishi Electric was installed in the arena.

Ice Rink Conversion Time

Four to six hours, from basketball mode to full hockey set-up.

Ice Surface Quality

Ice rink meets all professional safety standards suitable for professional hockey, figure skating, ice shows and mass-audience events (with ice deck). In recent years Scotiabank Arena has installed a state-of-the-art dehumidification system which enables Scotiabank Arena to maintain NHL mandated building conditions for NHL hockey. Additionally, we utilize a Reverse Osmosis water filtration system and fine mist spray ice-making technology to provide the best possible ice surface.

Ice Rink Measures

85′ by 200′

Ice Making Technology

Refrigeration Plant: CIMCO Lewis System Purification: Jet Ice
Dasher Board System: Ice Pro System
Ice Surface Management: Two Zambonis, stored-in-house
Hockey Surface Sub-Contractor: CIMCO Lewis Ice System

Signage Considerations

Rotating (30-second intervals) signage synchronized with the scoreboard, 200 level, and fixed dasher board signage.

Raptors Practice Court

One of eleven teams in the NBA to have their own practice court built in the arena (Washington, Phoenix, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Atlanta, Indiana, Houston, Memphis and Minnesota). Features include a NBA-size regulation court, training facility, and a scoreboard complete with shot clocks on both basketball nets.

Television Broadcast

Scotiabank Arena staff worked closely with Dome Productions, CBC, and other broadcasters to ensure that Scotiabank Arena’s broadcast capabilities would meet world-class standards for broadcast.

Galleria

Running in an east-west direction, just south of the GO train tracks, the Galleria is a public thoroughfare located at the north end of Scotiabank Arena. It is a covered, climate-controlled walkway that houses the ticket office, food court, and CentreSports retail shop. In addition, a historical display of artifacts from the original Canada Post Delivery Building and its site is a prominent feature. Nearly 60 per cent of guests enter Scotiabank Arena through Gate 1, located in the Galleria.

PATH Walkway System

Scotiabank Arena is connected to the well-known PATH system, providing covered access to the downtown core. PATH reaches as far north as Dundas Street. Two grade-level connections, referred to as the Bay West Teamway and the Blue Route provide convenient access from Union Station to the Galleria, a climate-controlled public square with retailing and food opportunities.

Family Fan Considerations

  • Scotiabank Arena is considerate of fans of all ages. There are baby change tables in all washrooms, as well as smaller urinals for children.
  • The arena’s accessibility from major public transportation arteries makes it fan-friendly to families.
  • Multiple location ATM machines, phones, and water fountains are located throughout the facility.