Canada Life Centre

History and construction

The Canada Life Centre stands on a historically significant site, the location of the former Eaton's Winnipeg store, a landmark Western Canadian retailer. Following the bankruptcy of Eaton's, various redevelopment proposals were considered for the property, including residential condominiums. Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray and True North Sports & Entertainment ultimately championed the construction of an arena as the most viable project to benefit the city's struggling downtown core. The demolition of the Eaton's store in 2002 proceeded despite emotional resistance from some locals and the Save the Eaton's Coalition, which had organized a symbolic group hug of the building in 2001. The new arena was constructed at a cost of C$133.5 million and officially opened on November 16, 2004, replacing the aging Winnipeg Arena which had served the city since 1955.

Architectural and design elements were incorporated to honour the site's history, including the use of red bricks in the arena façade reminiscent of the original store. An original Eaton's store window and Tyndall stone surround are mounted in the arena concourse to house a collection of Eaton's memorabilia, and the Timothy Eaton statue from the store is displayed one floor above its original ground-floor location. Two war memorials were also integrated into the building's design. During its planning and construction, the facility was known as True North Centre before securing a naming rights agreement.

The arena's naming history reflects corporate acquisitions and sponsorship deals in Winnipeg's telecommunications and financial sectors. It opened as the MTS Centre under a naming rights agreement with Manitoba Telecom Services. Following Bell Canada's acquisition of MTS, the venue was renamed Bell MTS Place on May 30, 2017. On June 15, 2021, True North announced a new 10-year strategic relationship with Winnipeg-based Canada Life Assurance Company, renaming the arena Canada Life Centre effective July 1, 2021. The new signage was installed throughout the facility over the subsequent weeks, with completion estimated by September of that year.

Tenants and primary hockey events

The Canada Life Centre has been home to professional hockey since its opening, serving multiple leagues and teams. The American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose were the arena's inaugural tenant, playing there from 2004 until 2011 when they temporarily relocated to St. John's. The Moose returned for the 2015-16 AHL season, making the arena one of the first, alongside San Jose's SAP Center, to concurrently host both an NHL team and its AHL affiliate. For most Moose home games, only the lower bowl with a capacity of 8,812 is utilized. The arena hosted the AHL All-Star Classic on February 1, 2006, where Team Canada defeated Team PlanetUSA by a score of 9-4.

The return of the National Hockey League to Winnipeg is the arena's most significant hockey story. After the original Jets relocated to Arizona in 1996, speculation about an NHL return grew following the MTS Centre's opening. True North Sports & Entertainment, led by Mark Chipman and backed by David Thomson, pursued a franchise despite concerns about the arena's then-capacity being below other NHL venues. The building hosted several NHL preseason games between 2006 and 2010, including a 2010 game featuring Winnipeg-born Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Preparations for the Jets' inaugural 2011-12 season involved minor renovations to meet NHL standards, including additional press boxes, specialized lighting, flexible rink glass, and an upgraded ice system. The province of Manitoba entered a 20-year agreement with True North, providing up to $4 million annually in gaming revenue from designated downtown video lottery terminals to subsidize the arena mortgage. Subsequent arena improvements included concourse upgrades, a new high-definition scoreboard, the replacement of metal rails with plexiglass to improve sightlines, and the addition of 278 premium seats in 2015, slightly increasing capacity. The arena has also hosted other hockey events, including select Western Hockey League playoff games for the Winnipeg Ice in 2023 and the Brandon Wheat Kings previously.

Other sporting events

Beyond professional hockey, Canada Life Centre hosts a diverse array of other sporting competitions and leagues. The venue co-hosted the 2007 IIHF Women's World Championship with Selkirk, where Canada won the gold medal. It has also held international hockey events such as pretournament games for the 2005 World Junior Championship, Game 5 of the 2007 Super Series between Canada and Russia, and the medal round of the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. In curling, the arena was the site of the 2008 Tim Hortons Brier and hosted the Grand Slam of Curling's Canadian Open from 2005 through 2010, excluding the 2007-08 edition held in Quebec City. The arena is a major venue for combat sports in Manitoba, having hosted several major events from leading promotions. The facility also serves as the home court for the Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. On March 22, 2026, the Professional Women's Hockey League held its first game in Winnipeg at the arena, where the Ottawa Charge defeated the Montreal Victoire 2-1 in overtime in front of 15,225 fans.

• UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson on June 15, 2013.
• UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. dos Anjos on December 16, 2017.
• UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Malott on April 18, 2026.
• WWE Raw broadcast on February 24, 2020.
• WWE SmackDown broadcast on September 30, 2022.
• All Elite Wrestling Dynamite and Rampage taping on March 15, 2023.

Arena features and operations

The Canada Life Centre is a 440,000-square-foot facility designed as a modern, multi-purpose entertainment complex. Its seating capacity is configurable based on the event, with 15,225 seats for hockey games and up to 16,345 for concerts. The building is owned and operated by True North Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose. The arena typically hosts over 140 events annually, encompassing sports, concerts, and family entertainment, making it a central hub for Winnipeg's downtown revitalization and a consistently top-ranked venue in North America.

Several distinctive features pay homage to the site's history and serve the community. The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum is located on the main level of the arena, celebrating the province's rich hockey heritage. As noted, historical elements from the Eaton's store, including memorabilia and the Timothy Eaton statue, are displayed in the concourse. The arena's operations are supported by partnerships like the 10-year agreement with Canada Life, which includes substantial branding, media, hospitality, and community assets. True North has also developed ancillary hospitality venues, such as the Shark Club sports bar and gaming centre at the nearby Cityplace mall, which opened in 2013. Facility upgrades have been ongoing to maintain a premier fan experience. Major improvements undertaken after the Jets' arrival included the installation of a new high-definition scoreboard and the conversion of obstructed views by replacing metal rails with plexiglass. The arena's design incorporates flexible infrastructure to host a wide variety of events, supported by a dedicated facility team that manages operations throughout the busy season.

Notable events and concerts

As Winnipeg's premier entertainment venue, Canada Life Centre has a busy calendar of major concerts and touring shows alongside its sports schedule. The arena is designed to accommodate large-scale productions with its concert capacity of 16,345. The events calendar for 2026 includes numerous ticketed events, indicating a full slate of programming that features concerts, family shows, and sporting events throughout the year. The arena has hosted significant one-off sporting spectacles beyond its regular tenant games, including the 2006 AHL All-Star Classic and the 2008 Tim Hortons Brier. It has also been the site for major UFC and WWE events, drawing large crowds to downtown Winnipeg.

The building's versatility allows it to transition between different event types efficiently, a key factor in its economic success and ability to host over 140 events per year. Event scheduling demonstrates the arena's central role in the community, with the Winnipeg Jets hosting an alumni game against the Montreal Canadiens on October 24, 2026, and a Halloween game against the Florida Panthers. The Manitoba Moose scheduled a game against the Calgary Wranglers for February 14, 2026. These events, along with concerts and family shows, ensure the facility has consistent activity, contributing significantly to the local economy and Winnipeg's cultural life.

Community role and economic impact

The development of Canada Life Centre was fundamentally tied to the goal of revitalizing Winnipeg's downtown core. Proponents, including former Mayor Glen Murray and True North, argued that an arena would be the most beneficial use for the former Eaton's site, bringing consistent foot traffic and economic activity to the struggling area. The project represented a substantial private investment of C$133.5 million, complemented by public support mechanisms like the province's 20-year gaming revenue agreement to help subsidize the mortgage following the Jets' return. This partnership model facilitated the NHL's return and ensured the arena's financial sustainability.

The partnership with Canada Life, announced in 2021, highlights a shared commitment to community investment between the corporate sponsor and True North. Executives from both organizations emphasized their deep roots in Winnipeg and a common desire to give back. Canada Life's President and COO Jeff Macoun noted the partnership was an evolution of their relationship, both sponsorship-wise and philanthropically, aimed at creating positive change for community well-being. The deal also instilled pride among Canada Life's over 3,300 Winnipeg employees and 11,000 nationwide, associating the company brand with major community events.

The arena's operations generate significant ongoing economic activity through event attendance, hospitality spending, and job creation. It serves as the anchor for a sports and entertainment district in downtown Winnipeg. The presence of the Jets, Moose, and Sea Bears, along with a full concert schedule, drives tourism and supports local businesses. The facility's design, which incorporates community elements like the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and historical tributes, reinforces its role as a public gathering place and a symbol of civic pride for Winnipeg and Manitoba.

Key renovations and upgrades

Since its opening, Canada Life Centre has undergone several renovations to enhance the fan experience and meet professional league standards. The most significant wave of upgrades occurred in 2011 to prepare for the arrival of the Winnipeg Jets. These initial changes were necessary to bring the facility in line with NHL requirements and improve operations for a major league tenant. Subsequent improvements have focused on modernizing technology, improving sightlines, and expanding premium offerings to maintain the venue's status as a premier destination.

• Construction of additional press boxes (2011).
• Installation of shuttered lighting and flexible rink glass (2011).
• Upgrade of the ice refrigeration system (2011).
• Installation of a new high-definition scoreboard.
• Replacement of metal rails with plexiglass to eliminate obstructed views.
• Addition of 278 premium seats in the upper level (2015).
• General concourse improvements and upgrades.

These renovations were funded through a combination of private investment and public partnership. The province of Manitoba reached a 20-year agreement with True North granting it up to $4 million in gaming revenue per year from designated video lottery terminals downtown to subsidize the mortgage of MTS Centre in the wake of the Jets' return. The video lottery terminals were initially located at the Tavern United sports bar next door to MTS Centre. True North later opened a Shark Club sports bar and gaming centre at the nearby Cityplace mall in 2013. Further improvements made over the next few years included concourse improvements, installation of a new HD scoreboard, and the replacement of metal rails with plexiglass to eliminate obstructed views. A total of 278 premium seats were added to the upper level in 2015, slightly increasing the arena's capacity.

Questions about Canada Life Centre

What teams play at Canada Life Centre?

Canada Life Centre is the home arena for three professional teams. It is the home of the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets, who began playing there in 2011 after the franchise relocated from Atlanta. The American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose also play there, having been the original tenant from 2004 to 2011 before returning for the 2015-16 season. The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League call the arena home. The venue has also hosted other teams for special events, such as the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League for playoff games.

What was the arena called before Canada Life Centre?

The arena has had two previous names due to corporate naming rights agreements. When it opened in 2004, it was named the MTS Centre after Manitoba Telecom Services. Following Bell Canada's acquisition of MTS, the venue was renamed Bell MTS Place on May 30, 2017. The current name, Canada Life Centre, took effect on July 1, 2021, after True North Sports & Entertainment entered a 10-year strategic relationship with the Canada Life Assurance Company. During its planning and construction phases, the project was referred to as True North Centre.

How many people does Canada Life Centre hold for a Jets game?

For Winnipeg Jets NHL hockey games, the seating capacity of Canada Life Centre is 15,225. The capacity is slightly larger for concerts, accommodating up to 16,345 attendees. When the arena first opened, its capacity was a point of discussion regarding its suitability for the NHL, as it was below other league venues at the time. Minor renovations, including the addition of 278 premium seats in 2015, have slightly increased the number from its original configuration. For Manitoba Moose AHL games, typically only the lower bowl with a capacity of 8,812 is used.

What major non-hockey events have been held at the arena?

The arena hosts a wide variety of major events beyond hockey. It has been a venue for Ultimate Fighting Championship events, including UFC 161 in 2013, UFC on Fox in 2017, and UFC Fight Night in 2026. It has hosted professional wrestling broadcasts for both WWE (Raw in 2020 and SmackDown in 2022) and All Elite Wrestling in 2023. The venue co-hosted the 2007 IIHF Women's World Championship and was the site of the 2008 Tim Hortons Brier curling championship. It also regularly hosts major concert tours and family entertainment shows throughout the year.

What is the historical significance of the arena's location?

Canada Life Centre is built on the site of the former Eaton's Winnipeg department store, a historic landmark and Western Canadian retail icon. The store was demolished in 2002 to make way for the arena after some public resistance. The arena's design incorporates tributes to this history, including red bricks in the façade reminiscent of the store, an original Eaton's store window and memorabilia display in the concourse, and the Timothy Eaton statue from the original building. These elements preserve the memory of the Eaton's site while transforming the location into a new centre for community and entertainment.

Where is the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame located?

The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame is located on the main level of the Canada Life Centre. This hall of fame and museum is situated within the multi purpose indoor arena in downtown Winnipeg. The Canada Life Centre itself is a premier sports and entertainment facility owned by True North Sports & Entertainment. It serves as the home venue for the NHL's Winnipeg Jets and other teams. The inclusion of the hall of fame adds to the building's status as a central hub for hockey in the province.

Sources and further reading

• Canada Life Centre (Wikipedia)
• Canada Life Centre, Home of the Winnipeg Jets & ... (moosehockey.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.