Pacific Coliseum

Architecture and Construction

Designed by architect W. K. Noppe in 1966-67, the Pacific Coliseum is a prominent example of formalist architecture, characterized by its simple geometric shape and distinctive ring of white panels. The building was constructed on the site of the Pacific National Exhibition and was completed in 1968. Its design and plans were also used for Edmonton's Northlands Coliseum, creating a sister arena in another major Canadian city. The original ice hockey seating capacity was 15,038, but this number has been adjusted several times through renovations and reconfigurations over the decades. The arena's sweeping ceiling clearance of 68 feet and its large floor space have made it adaptable for everything from major trade shows to full-scale concerts. The building provides 80,000 gross square feet of exhibition area on the main floor and an additional 47,000 square feet on the concourse level, connected by a 14-foot wide ramp.

The building has undergone several significant upgrades throughout its history. In the late 1970s, renovations and additions were made to the facility. A major renovation in 1985 included seismic upgrades and the installation of a new four-sided centre-hung scoreclock with colour matrix displays sponsored by Imperial Tobacco and Molson Brewery. This scoreclock was replaced in 2007 by a four-sided Daktronics video scoreboard. Further renovations were completed in 2007 to prepare the venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics, upgrading accessibility, seating, HVAC systems, and the ice surface. The ice plant was also majorly upgraded at this time, and the adjacent Agrodome's system was decommissioned, with both buildings now sharing the Coliseum's plant. In early 2023, the arena retired its scoreclock, donating it to the Sunshine Coast Junior Hockey Society in Gibson, British Columbia, and added new video screens to the north end and concourse walls. A $2.6 million LED lighting project was completed in June 2023, allowing the exterior walls to be illuminated in different colours for various events and occasions.

Seating Capacity History

The seating capacity for hockey at the Pacific Coliseum has changed numerous times since its opening, reflecting various renovations and changes in configuration. The capacity began at 15,038 when the arena opened in 1968. It increased to 15,570 in 1970, coinciding with the arrival of the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. The capacity saw further increases to 16,413 in 1978 and reached its peak at 16,553 during the 1983 to 1989 period. Following adjustments in the early 1990s, the capacity settled at 16,150 from 1992 to 2006. It was then set at 16,281 from 2006 through 2025. With the arrival of the PWHL's Vancouver Goldeneyes in 2025, the configuration was adjusted again, resulting in a current hockey capacity of 15,041. For other events, the building can accommodate up to 17,000 spectators in a full in-the-round concert or sports setup, and it offers 80,000 gross square feet of exhibition space on its main floor. The arena also features 14 private suites available for concerts and special events.

Major Hockey Tenants and Events

The Pacific Coliseum's primary identity has been forged through ice hockey. It first served as the home for the Western Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks from 1968 to 1970. The arena was used to attract an NHL franchise, and on October 9, 1970, it hosted its first NHL game, a 3-1 loss for the Vancouver Canucks against the Los Angeles Kings, with Bob Berry scoring the first goal and Barry Wilkins scoring for the Canucks. The Canucks played there for 25 seasons, with their final NHL game at the Coliseum occurring on May 27, 1995, a 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The building hosted the Stanley Cup Final twice, in 1982 where the New York Islanders swept the Canucks, and in 1994 where the Canucks lost to the New York Rangers in seven games. The Canucks' only home victory in the final came in Game 6 in 1994, a game former owner Arthur Griffiths called the greatest ever played at the Coliseum. The arena also hosted the 1977 NHL All-Star Game, a 4-3 win for the Wales Conference over the Campbell Conference.

After the Canucks departed for Rogers Arena in 1995, major hockey returned in 2001 with the arrival of the WHL's Vancouver Giants. The Giants played at the Coliseum until 2016, winning the Memorial Cup on home ice in 2007 by defeating the Medicine Hat Tigers 3-1 and setting a tournament attendance record of 121,461. The arena has also hosted several other professional and junior teams, including the WHA's Vancouver Blazers from 1973 to 1975 after being purchased by Jim Pattison, and the Vancouver Voodoo of Roller Hockey International in 1994 and 1995. It was one of four venues for the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, alongside Rogers Arena, Prospera Place in Kelowna, and the Sandman Centre in Kamloops. The most significant new chapter began in 2025 when the Vancouver Goldeneyes of the PWHL became the arena's new primary tenant, marking the return of top-level professional hockey to the historic rink. The team's arrival followed a PWHL Takeover Tour game at Rogers Arena that drew 19,038 fans on January 8, 2025.

The Pacific Coliseum has hosted many significant hockey events. It was the venue for the fourth game of the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union. The arena also hosted the 1977 NHL All-Star Game and the 2001 Mann Cup lacrosse championship. During the 2010 Winter Olympics, it was the venue for figure skating and short track speed skating events. The Coliseum has hosted the Memorial Cup tournament twice, in 1977 and 2007.

• 1972 Summit Series, Game 4 on September 8, 1972, where the Soviet Union defeated Canada 5-3, followed by Phil Esposito's famous post-game interview.
• The 1977 Memorial Cup, won by Stan Smyl and the New Westminster Bruins over the Ottawa 67's.
• The 2001 Mann Cup lacrosse finals, where the Coquitlam Adanacs defeated the Brampton Excelsiors.
• The 2007 Memorial Cup, won by the Vancouver Giants, which set an attendance record.
• Figure skating and short track speed skating events for the 2010 Winter Olympics from February 12 to 28.
• The final NHL goal scored in the building was by Chicago's Chris Chelios in 1995, while Roman Oksiuta scored the Canucks' last goal there.

Other Sporting Events

Beyond hockey, the Pacific Coliseum has hosted a diverse range of sporting competitions. It was the site of the famous Muhammad Ali vs. George Chuvalo II heavyweight boxing match on May 1, 1972. Another notable boxing event featured Michael Spinks vs. Oscar Rivadeneyra on November 25, 1983. In 2020, the arena was the venue for the Men's Volleyball North American Olympic Qualification Tournament, where the Canadian team went 3-0 to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics. The venue has also hosted Billie Jean King Cup tennis qualifying matches, with Canada facing Latvia in 2022 and Belgium in 2023. During the annual Pacific National Exhibition fair, the arena hosts the popular Superdogs show, where dogs compete in dancing, running, and jumping events. The building's large, clear floor space and high ceiling make it suitable for a wide variety of athletic competitions and exhibitions beyond ice sports.

Concert and Cultural History

The Pacific Coliseum has a storied history as a major concert venue, hosting legendary acts from its earliest days. Its concert history began with Jimi Hendrix and The Jimi Hendrix Experience on September 7, 1968. Led Zeppelin made their Coliseum debut on December 28, 1968, opening for Vanilla Fudge, and used Vancouver as a base for North American tours in the early 1970s. The 1970s saw an incredible array of performers, including The Doors, whose June 6, 1970 show was recorded and released as the live album 'Live in Vancouver 1970', and The Rolling Stones, who opened their 1972 tour in support of 'Exile on Main Street' at the arena, performing 'Ventilator Blues' for the only time in their career there. Other notable acts from that decade include Yes on their 1971 tour, The Grateful Dead in 1973 and 1974, George Harrison's 1974 Dark Horse Tour, Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1979, KISS in 1977 and 1979, and ABBA in 1979.

The venue remained a top destination for touring artists in subsequent decades. David Bowie's September 11-12, 1983 'Serious Moonlight Tour' stops were filmed and released as a concert film on VHS, LaserDisc, and later DVD. The arena has hosted everyone from MC Hammer in 1990 and Britney Spears' sold-out Dream Within A Dream Tour show in 2002 to Pearl Jam in 2011 for their 20th anniversary and Alexisonfire's farewell tour date in 2012. In a landmark moment for South Asian music, Indian singer Babbu Maan became the first South Asian artist to sell out the Pacific Coliseum on April 30, 2022. The arena has also been used for significant non-musical events, including political demonstrations like a 1970 fundraiser by the Don't Make a Wave Committee, which helped launch Greenpeace, and religious gatherings for the Ismaili community led by His Highness Prince Aga Khan in 1978, 1982, and 1983.

The Pacific Coliseum has a long history of hosting notable concerts by major artists. Jimi Hendrix performed there with The Jimi Hendrix Experience in September 1968. Led Zeppelin played their first of several concerts at the arena in December 1968. The Rolling Stones opened their 1972 Exile on Main Street tour at the Coliseum with Stevie Wonder as the opening act. Other legendary performers include The Doors in 1970, Bob Marley in 1979, and David Bowie in 1983. More recently, Pearl Jam played there in 2011 for their 20th anniversary.

• The Doors with Albert King (June 6, 1970)
• The Rolling Stones with opening act Stevie Wonder (1972)
• Bob Marley and the Wailers on the Survival Tour (November 21, 1979)
• David Bowie's Serious Moonlight Tour (September 11-12, 1983)
• Emerson, Lake & Palmer during their Works Tour (July 30, 1977)
• The Bee Gees on their Spirits Having Flown Tour (July 15, 1979)
• Pearl Jam (September 25, 2011)
• Babbu Maan (April 30, 2022)

Filming and Esports

The distinctive architecture and large capacity of the Pacific Coliseum have made it a frequent location for film and television production. The dog show scenes for the movie 'Best in Show' were filmed at the Coliseum. It also served as a filming location for 'Slam Dunk Ernest', the final shot of the first look trailer for the Nintendo Switch, the concert scene in 'Josie and the Pussycats' (2001), and scenes set in Boston's TD Garden for the television show 'A Million Little Things'. This wide range of filming uses demonstrates the arena's visual versatility and its ability to stand in for other major venues across North America.

In the 21st century, the Coliseum has also embraced the world of competitive gaming, or esports. It hosted the League of Legends Championship Series Spring 2017 North American Finals on April 22 and 23, 2017, where Team SoloMid defeated Cloud9 in a five-game series to retain its title. This event was notable as the second consecutive North American LCS final held in Canada after Toronto in 2016. More significantly, from June 27 to July 12, 2025, the arena hosted the 2025 Mid-Season Invitational, a premier international League of Legends tournament. This event marked the first time Canada hosted a major international League of Legends competition, bringing a new generation of fans and a global esports audience to the historic venue. The choice of the Coliseum for these events highlights its ongoing relevance as a modern event space capable of hosting complex, technology-driven competitions.

The Vancouver Goldeneyes Era

In a major development for women's professional sports, the Pacific Coliseum was announced in 2025 as the new home of the Vancouver Goldeneyes, an expansion franchise of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). The team began play in the 2025-26 season, becoming the primary tenant of the arena and marking the return of a major league sports team to the venue. The Goldeneyes' arrival followed immense local demand, highlighted by a crowd of 19,038 at a PWHL Takeover Tour game at Rogers Arena in January 2025. The team's colours are Pacific blue and cream, and it practises at the nearby PNE Agrodome. The partnership with the PNE prompted immediate capital improvements to the Coliseum, with Phase I renovations targeted for completion in mid-October 2025. The Goldeneyes' tenure continues Vancouver's rich history in women's hockey, connecting the modern professional league to the legacy of teams like the historic Vancouver Amazons and the 2010 Olympic gold medal-winning Canadian team featuring Marie-Philip Poulin.

The expansion announcement was made by PWHL executives including Amy Scheer and Jayna Hefford, who noted Vancouver's importance as Canada's third-largest market and its nearly equal registration rates for girls' and boys' hockey in British Columbia. The team was initially known as PWHL Vancouver pending a final brand identity, and it participated in the 2025 PWHL Draft held on June 24 in Ottawa. The league, owned by Mark and Kimbra Walter, launched in 2023 with six teams and identified Vancouver as its first expansion market. The return of professional hockey to the Coliseum after the departure of the WHL's Giants in 2016 revitalizes a venue deeply embedded in Vancouver's sporting culture, ensuring its continued use as a premier destination for live sports entertainment for years to come.

Seating Capacity Timeline

The seating capacity for hockey at the Pacific Coliseum has evolved significantly since its opening. The following table outlines the major capacity figures throughout the arena's history, reflecting the various renovations and reconfigurations undertaken to meet the needs of different tenants and events. The reduction to 15,041 seats in 2025 coincides with the arrival of the PWHL's Vancouver Goldeneyes and reflects renovations to enhance the fan experience and modernize the facility for its new primary tenant. For other event types, such as concerts or trade shows, the capacity and configuration can vary widely. The building can be set up in a theatre bowl, three-quarter concert bowl, or mini concert bowl configuration, with capacities ranging from 4,200 for a mini concert stage to the full 17,000 for in-the-round events. This flexibility has been a key factor in the arena's long-term viability as a multi-purpose venue.

Questions about Pacific Coliseum

Where is the Pacific Coliseum located?

The Pacific Coliseum is located at Hastings Park in the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood of Vancouver, British Columbia. It is the largest building within the Hastings Park complex, which is also home to the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE). The arena is situated on the grounds of the PNE in East Vancouver, with its address often associated with the exhibition park. The venue is sometimes colloquially called the Rink on Renfrew, referencing its location near Renfrew Street.

When did the Vancouver Canucks play at the Pacific Coliseum?

The Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League played at the Pacific Coliseum from 1970 to 1995. Their first NHL game there was on October 9, 1970, a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings where Barry Wilkins scored the franchise's first NHL goal. Their final NHL game at the Coliseum was on May 27, 1995, a 4-3 playoff loss to the Chicago Blackhawks that completed a second-round sweep. During their 25-year tenure, the arena hosted two Stanley Cup Final series in 1982 and 1994, and it was the site where Stan Smyl's number 12 was retired in 1991, the only number retired by the Canucks during their time at the Coliseum.

What events were held at the Pacific Coliseum during the 2010 Olympics?

During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the Pacific Coliseum was the official venue for figure skating and short track speed skating events. These competitions were held from February 12 to 28, 2010. The arena underwent significant renovations prior to the Games to upgrade its ice surface, seating, HVAC systems, and accessibility features to meet Olympic standards. Major work was done on the ice plant, and the system was expanded to also serve the adjacent Agrodome, which had its own plant decommissioned.

What is the seating capacity of the Pacific Coliseum?

The seating capacity for hockey at the Pacific Coliseum is currently 15,041 as of 2025. This number has changed over time, having previously been 16,281 from 2006 to 2025 and reaching a high of 16,553 from 1983 to 1989. For other events like concerts, the capacity can be configured up to approximately 17,000 spectators in a full in-the-round setup. The arena also features 14 private suites available for events. The building accommodates 15,713 in permanent seating, with room for 2,000 temporary floor seats for concerts and sports.

What professional team plays at the Pacific Coliseum now?

As of the 2025-26 season, the primary professional tenant of the Pacific Coliseum is the Vancouver Goldeneyes of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). The Goldeneyes are an expansion franchise that brought top-level women's professional hockey back to the historic arena. The team practises at the nearby PNE Agrodome. The Goldeneyes were announced as part of the PWHL's first expansion, which grew the league to seven teams, and they participated in the 2025 PWHL Draft in Ottawa.

What famous concerts have been held at the Pacific Coliseum?

The Pacific Coliseum has hosted countless legendary concerts since opening in 1968. Early shows include Jimi Hendrix in 1968, Led Zeppelin in 1968 and throughout the 1970s, The Doors in 1970, and The Rolling Stones opening their 1972 Exile on Main Street tour there. Other major acts have included Bob Marley in 1979, David Bowie in 1983 whose shows were filmed, and George Harrison's 1974 Dark Horse Tour. More recent notable performances include Britney Spears in 2002, Pearl Jam in 2011, and Babbu Maan in 2022, who became the first South Asian artist to sell out the venue. The band Nazareth also recorded their live album 'Snaz' at the Coliseum in May 1981.

Sources and further reading

• Pacific Coliseum (Wikipedia)
• Pacific Coliseum (pne.ca)
• Vancouver's PWHL expansion team will play out of Pacific ... (bowenislandundercurrent.com)
• PWHL expands to Vancouver, will play out of Pacific ... (tsn.ca)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-27.