Coca-Cola Coliseum

Construction and early history

The arena's origins trace back to a public plebiscite on January 1, 1920, where Toronto voters approved a plan to build a new livestock arena for the Royal Agricultural Fair Association at a maximum cost of CA$1 million. After initial tenders came in nearly double the budget, the design was halved in size, and the contract was eventually awarded to Montreal firm Anglin-Norcross Ltd. for CA$892,000 in May 1921. Construction began that June on the site of former livestock stalls, with Toronto Mayor Thomas Church performing the ceremonial stone-laying on July 27, 1921. Although not ready for the fall fair, the building officially opened on December 16, 1921, with an athletic meet attended by 5,000 people, and upon completion it was billed as the largest structure of its kind in North America, with 8.5 acres of floor space, and was formally named the Coliseum in 1922.

In 1926, additions were built to the Coliseum and the complex was claimed to be the largest structure of its kind under one roof in the world. The Horse Palace was built next door in 1931 to provide a permanent building for the stables of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The main entrance was to the north, along Manitoba Drive, and the southern side of the building was along the main TTC streetcar rail lines serving the CNE. From 1942 to 1945, the building was used as a training base for the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and known as the Manning Depot. After the war, it mainly hosted equestrian events for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and the CNE.

Architectural changes and integration

The arena's exterior and public access have undergone significant changes throughout its history, beginning with a complete reconstruction of the southern facade for the 1963 Canadian National Exhibition at a cost of CA$3 million. This renovation featured a new cladding of black, grey, and white siding and a prominent front plaza topped with a large 'COLISEUM' sign, and it also removed the original cupola towers on that facade. A larger transformation occurred in 1997 with the construction of the National Trade Centre, now the Enercare Centre, which enveloped the Coliseum into a larger exhibition complex and restored the building's original facade while removing the 1963 entrance. Public access was rerouted to a western entrance through a hall called Heritage Court as part of this integration project, fundamentally changing how visitors entered the venue.

In November 2002, the City of Toronto agreed to an extensive renovation of the Coliseum to attract a professional ice hockey team. At a cost of CA$38 million, the arena's capacity was expanded from 6,500 to 9,700 by building a new higher roof, lowering the floor, adding new seats and installing 38 private suites. Borealis Infrastructure contributed CA$9 million and borrowed CA$20 million in return for a 49-year lease to the arena, while the City of Toronto invested CA$9 million and guaranteed the loans. In August 2004 Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment agreed to a 20-year lease for the arena, with an option to extend the term for a further 10 years. MLSE relocated their AHL farm team, renamed the Toronto Marlies, to the arena for the 2005-06 season.

Naming rights and lease agreements

In 2003, Japanese office supply company Ricoh purchased the naming rights to the new facility for CA$10 million over ten years, with an optional five-year extension. On July 11, 2018, at the end of Ricoh's partnership, Coca-Cola purchased the naming rights to the facility for ten years, renaming it the Coca-Cola Coliseum. Borealis signed a 49-year sublease to the building with the Toronto Roadrunners for $9,500 per game. The Roadrunners' lease was terminated in June 2004, following their first season, for defaulting on its rent, and the team relocated to Edmonton.

MLSE's lease called for rent to cover debt financing charges, property taxes and generate a return to the arena investors, exceeding $4 million annually. In 2023 the city approved amendments to MLSE's lease of the Coliseum including a 10 year extension starting in 2025, with an option for a further 10 year extension. During the summer of 2015, a new scoreboard was installed at the Air Canada Centre, and the old scoreboard was installed at the Coliseum. In 2018, MLSE announced that the Toronto Argonauts football operations offices and weight rooms would be relocated to the Coliseum in late June of that year.

Primary sports tenants and hockey history

The Coliseum serves as the home arena of the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies, the farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Marlies debuted in their new home on October 12, 2005, with a 5-2 victory over the Syracuse Crunch, in front of a crowd of 8,056. The Coliseum hosted the 2007 AHL All-Star Game on January 29, 2007. The Toronto Marlies are honoured as the 2026 Calder Cup Champions with a banner ceremony at the Coliseum. The Coliseum is also the home arena of the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women's Hockey League and was announced as their primary venue for the 2024-25 season after hosting their playoff games in May 2024.

As early as the 1970s, plans were floated to outfit CNE Coliseum for ice hockey when the WHA's Toronto Toros initially wanted to play there. In the early 2000s, efforts to bring a minor professional hockey team to the Coliseum culminated in an agreement to relocate the Edmonton Oilers' AHL farm team, renamed the Toronto Roadrunners, to the arena. The Coliseum made its debut as an ice hockey venue on November 1, 2003, when the Roadrunners tied the Rochester Americans 1-1. The Roadrunners relocated to Edmonton after one season due to poor attendance, leaving the Coliseum without a hockey tenant until the Marlies arrived in 2005.

• Toronto Marlies vs. Rockford IceHogs on October 24, 2026.
• Toronto Marlies vs. Hershey Bears in 2026.
• Victoria Monét's Frequency Of Love Tour concert in 2026.
• World Team Tennis event on December 6, 2026.
• Toronto Sceptres (PWHL) regular season and playoff games.
• Toronto Tempo (WNBA) inaugural season home games starting in 2026.

Other sporting and entertainment events

On April 4, 1922, the Coliseum was the site of a boxing match that set a new indoor sports attendance record for Toronto with 11,900 spectators. In 1974, the Coliseum hosted half the home games for the Toronto-Buffalo Royals of World Team Tennis for one season. The Coliseum hosted the Lingerie Football League's Toronto Triumph in their lone season in 2012. From July 11 to 20, 2015, the Coliseum hosted the gymnastics competition of the 2015 Pan American Games, during which it was known as the Toronto Coliseum. The Coliseum hosted the Longines World Cup Jumping Championships in November 2015 and events for the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend. It also hosted the Canada-Netherlands Davis Cup tie in September 2018.

The Coliseum hosted Purdue vs. Alabama and Clemson vs. TCU men's college basketball games on December 9, 2023, in the Hall of Fame Series. World Team Tennis events are scheduled for December 2026. The Coliseum has been used for numerous musical concerts by acts including Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Playboi Carti, and Philippine pop group BINI in 2025. It also hosted the first We Day concert in 2007. In professional wrestling, the Coliseum hosted the WWE Network special Roadblock in March 2016. All Elite Wrestling scheduled its first ever Canadian shows at the Coliseum in October 2022.

The Coliseum has been used for numerous musical concerts. Acts that have performed there include Playboi Carti, Lil Tecca, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Who, Genesis, Bob Dylan, Vanilla Fudge, Mötley Crüe, G.E.M., Joker Xue, Hatsune Miku and Kraftwerk. From 1922 to 1934, the CNE's Canadian National Exhibition Chorus performed in the arena. In 2007, the Coliseum hosted the first We Day concert. On 30 May 2025, Philippine pop group BINI performed in the coliseum as part of the Biniverse World Tour 2025.

• Jimi Hendrix and The Doors performed in the 1960s.
• Bob Dylan, The Who, and Genesis have all played concerts there.
• Mötley Crüe, Vanilla Fudge, and Kraftwerk have performed.
• Contemporary acts like Playboi Carti and Lil Tecca.
• Chinese artists G.E.M. and Joker Xue.
• Virtual singer Hatsune Miku and Philippine group BINI (May 2025).
• The first We Day concert was held there in 2007.

Agricultural and exhibition use

Since November 1922, the Coliseum has been used by the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair held in November annually except during the years of World War II. The Fair uses the arena for the annual Royal Horse Show equestrian competition, as well as animal presentations. Each year in August, the Coliseum is used by the CNE for exhibits and performances. It has in the past been used for CNE cat, dog and horse shows. Until 2013, the CNE held the CNE Horse Show, a competitive event in the Coliseum. It has been used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride.

Since 1997, the Coliseum has been part of the Enercare Centre exhibition complex. The arena is also used for trade shows. The annual Boat Show builds an indoor pond over the arena floor. The Coliseum is used for agricultural displays, ice hockey, basketball, and trade shows. It serves as the home arena for the Toronto Sceptres of the PWHL, the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, and the Toronto Tempo of the WNBA since their debut in 2026.

Event profile and future outlook

The Coliseum's annual calendar includes the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in November and Toronto Marlies hockey games from October to April. It also hosts Toronto Sceptres hockey games and will host Toronto Tempo WNBA games starting in 2026. The venue accommodates trade shows like the annual Boat Show and concerts such as Victoria Monét's Frequency Of Love Tour in 2026. It also hosts special sporting events like World Team Tennis. Its integration with the larger Enercare Centre allows for complex-wide events and exhibitions. The addition of the WNBA's Toronto Tempo in 2026 means three major professional sports teams will play there. MLSE's continued investment is evidenced by upgrades like the installation of a scoreboard in 2015 and the celebration of the Marlies' 2026 Calder Cup championship. The arena has evolved from a livestock arena to a modern sports complex while retaining its agricultural heritage.

Questions about Coca-Cola Coliseum

What teams play at the Coca-Cola Coliseum?

The Coca-Cola Coliseum is home to three professional sports teams. It is the primary arena for the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies and the Professional Women's Hockey League's Toronto Sceptres. Starting in 2026, it will also become the home of the Women's National Basketball Association's expansion team, the Toronto Tempo. The arena has a long history with hockey, having also hosted the short-lived Toronto Roadrunners in the 2003-04 AHL season.

When was the Coca-Cola Coliseum built and what was its original purpose?

The Coca-Cola Coliseum was built in 1921. It was built for the Canadian National Exhibition and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Its original purpose was for agricultural displays, including livestock. It officially opened to the public on December 16, 1921.

How many people can the Coca-Cola Coliseum hold?

Following a major CA$38 million renovation completed in 2004, the Coca-Cola Coliseum's capacity was increased to 9,700 spectators for sporting events. This renovation involved raising the roof, lowering the floor, and adding new seating and private suites. Prior to this upgrade, the arena's capacity was approximately 6,500. The record attendance for an indoor sports event at the Coliseum is 11,900, set at a boxing match in 1922 before modern seating configurations.

What other major events have been held at the arena besides sports?

Beyond sports, the Coca-Cola Coliseum hosts a wide variety of events. It is a key venue for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair's Royal Horse Show and the Canadian National Exhibition. It has hosted major concerts by artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Dylan, and more recently, Playboi Carti and BINI. The arena has also been used for trade shows, the 2015 Pan American Games gymnastics competition, professional wrestling events from WWE and AEW, and the first We Day concert in 2007.

Who owns and operates the Coca-Cola Coliseum?

The Coca-Cola Coliseum is owned by the City of Toronto. Since August 2004, it has been operated under a long-term lease by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), which manages the arena's day-to-day operations and books events. MLSE's lease was amended in 2023 to extend it by 10 years starting in 2025, with an option for a further 10-year extension. The City remains the building's owner and was involved in financing its major 2004 renovation.

Why did the arena's name change to Coca-Cola Coliseum?

The arena's name changed to Coca-Cola Coliseum because Coca-Cola purchased the naming rights to the facility. This occurred on July 11, 2018, at the end of a previous naming rights partnership with the office supply company Ricoh. Ricoh had originally purchased the naming rights in 2003 for ten million dollars over ten years. Coca-Cola's new agreement was for a ten year term, renaming the building from Ricoh Coliseum to Coca-Cola Coliseum. This is a common practice where corporations pay for the right to name a sports and entertainment venue.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-24.