MLSE to host an open skate and shootaround to celebrate its silver anniversary with valued fans

On February 20, Scotiabank Arena will celebrate its 25^th anniversary with the sports and entertainment fans that bring the world-class atmosphere to one of the city’s most iconic venues. Scotiabank Arena will be opening its doors to the community and offering the opportunity to skate on the ice that the Toronto Maple Leafs call home and shoot around in the Toronto Raptors’ private in-venue practice court. Maple Leafs and Raptors alumni will participate in the event sharing experiences from their moments at Scotiabank Arena. Passes are available starting today with a $5 donation to MLSE Foundation to secure a spot.

 

The best-in-class sports and entertainment destination, originally named Air Canada Centre, first opened its doors on February 20, 1999 for a Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens game. The following day, the venue hosted a Toronto Raptors vs Vancouver Grizzlies game and swiftly converted into a concert venue on February 22 for its first show, The Tragically Hip. In the late 2000s, the venue expanded with extensions made to the western elevation of the building and public improvements made to Bremner Blvd. The building was renamed Scotiabank Arena in 2017.

 

 “Over the past 25 years, we have had the privileged of hosting over 80 million fans at over 5,000 events from multiple NHL and NBA playoff runs, to best-selling shows and concerts, to most recently the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend,” said Cynthia Devine, President & Chief Executive Officer, MLSE. “Scotiabank Arena has been at the heart of countless special moments in our city and we look forward to facilitating even more memories for our teams, our visiting performers and our fans within the walls of one the top venues in the world.”

 

This past October, MLSE announced the Scotiabank Arena Venue Reimagination project ahead of its silver anniversary. The project consists of an investment of more than $350 million to further enhance the historic sports and entertainment destination for the future. The comprehensive multi-phase renovations will feature capital improvements to almost all areas within the venue including concourses, suites, premium clubs, retail spaces, food and beverage offerings, state-of-the-art technological innovations and more. The project also includes a curated museum-quality art collection throughout the arena showcasing sport, music, and history telling the story of the rich diversity of Canada.

 

The first phase of renovations was completed this past summer with a remodelling of the 200 Level Mastercard Executive Suites level along with state-of-the-art technology upgrades in the concourses designed to revolutionize fans’ concession experience. This coming summer, the second phase of the project will begin with an all-encompassing design makeover of the 100 Level concourse along with the construction of new innovative spaces such as an all-new Tunnel Club, an additional Real Sports Apparel retail store and more. PCL Construction and Brisbin, Brook, Beynon Architects are collaborating on the Scotiabank Arena Venue Reimagination project and originally led the venue’s groundbreaking in 1997.

 

Fans can secure their spot for the open skate and shootaround at scotiabankarena.com/25thanniversary and visit scotiabankarena.com/reimagination for virtual tours and updates on the Scotiabank Arena Venue Reimagination project.