Scotiabank Saddledome

Construction and Architectural Design

The drive to build a new arena in Calgary was propelled by two key factors, the arrival of the NHL's Calgary Flames in 1980 and the city's ambition to host the 1988 Winter Olympics. The existing Stampede Corral, with a capacity of 8,700, was deemed insufficient for major league standards by the late 1970s, a situation that had previously led to the folding of the Calgary Cowboys of the World Hockey Association. After significant debate and opposition from the Victoria Park Community Association, which threatened to oppose the Olympic bid, Calgary City Council voted on March 3, 1981, to build the arena on the Stampede grounds. The provincial government intervened in July 1981, using rare powers to overrule planning regulations and bypass community appeals, allowing construction to begin on July 29, 1981. The facility was designed by Graham McCourt Architects, who did not initially set out with a western theme. The roof was engineered as a reverse hyperbolic paraboloid, a design similar to the Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden. This innovative structure allowed for pillar-free sightlines from all seats and reduced the interior volume by one-third compared to traditional arenas, leading to significant savings on heating, lighting, and maintenance costs. The floating roof design also allows it to flex in response to Calgary's frequent temperature fluctuations. When the design was revealed, the public immediately described the roof as saddle-shaped. A contest to name the arena drew 1,270 entries, with 735 incorporating the word 'Saddle.' The winning name, Olympic Saddledome, was drawn from a hat containing several saddle-themed suggestions. The design earned multiple architectural and engineering awards and was honoured by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 2000. As of 2008, it held the world record for the longest spanning hyperbolic paraboloid concrete shell.

Opening, Costs, and Olympic Preparation

The arena's construction was marked by budget overruns and delays. Initially projected to cost $60 million, the budget was later revised to over $80 million. Attempts to fast-track construction led to a $16 million overrun, resulting in a final cost of $97.7 million and an eight-month delay in completion. Builders faced particular challenges fitting the giant concrete slabs of the roof between the supporting cables. A public hearing placed much of the blame for the overruns on the project manager. The Olympic Saddledome opened on October 15, 1983, during a period of economic downturn in Calgary caused by the collapse of the international oil market and the federal National Energy Program. The first event was an NHL game where the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Calgary Flames 4-3 before a sold-out crowd. The initial hockey capacity was 16,605, as the upper loges were not immediately finished. In preparation for the 1988 Olympics, the Calgary organizing committee spent $1 million to add over 2,600 seats to the upper loges, partly to address a scandal over preferential ticket sales for sponsors. This expansion brought the capacity to 20,016 for the Games, which the International Ice Hockey Federation noted was the largest arena ever used at a Winter Olympics at that time. The International Olympic Committee's official report stated that building the arena before being awarded the Games added credibility to Calgary's bid. The Saddledome was the first arena in North America specifically designed to accommodate the wider international ice surface, which is 15 feet wider than an NHL rink. Its highest recorded capacity was 20,240 in the early 1990s.

1990s Renovations and Naming Rights History

By 1994, the Flames organization petitioned the City of Calgary and the Saddledome Foundation for major upgrades, arguing they were necessary for the team to remain financially viable in the building. The team lobbied City Council to fund an $18 million renovation using federal infrastructure funds, rejecting a counter-proposal for a ticket surcharge. Media reports suggested the Flames might relocate if their requests were denied, though owners denied this while admitting they had threatened to build a new rink elsewhere in the city. After several months of negotiations, City Council approved the Flames' proposal in a 9-6 vote. Renovations occurred between 1994 and 1995, adding 41 new luxury suites at the top of the lower bowl, a new 1,172-seat club section, a restaurant, expanded offices for the Flames and Hockey Canada, a restructured public concourse, and a new parkade. The arena remained open until spring 1995 but was closed entirely from April to October 1995 for the final construction phase. It officially reopened on October 25, 1995. Prior to reopening, a 20-year naming rights deal was signed with Canadian Airlines, worth approximately $1 million per year, renaming the facility the Canadian Airlines Saddledome. Removing the 'Olympic' name was controversial with the public and council, but the deal included a portion of the funds being donated to support amateur sports in the city. When Canadian Airlines was acquired by Air Canada and ceased operations in 2000, Pengrowth Management Ltd. signed a 10-year agreement, creating the Pengrowth Saddledome. The current name, Scotiabank Saddledome, took effect in October 2010 after Scotiabank became the title sponsor.

Facility Upgrades and the 2013 Flood

The arena has received several technological and cosmetic upgrades over the years. In 2004, the Flames installed a $1 million LED 'power ring' display lining the second level. The JumboTron installed in 1995 was replaced in 2006 with a new HD video scoreboard, and the speaker system was upgraded in 2007. A new scoreboard, branded as the 'Sportsnet Scoreboard,' was installed in 2024, featuring four 30-foot-tall displays and a 40-foot 'halo' ring. In June 2013, the Saddledome was severely damaged during the Alberta floods. Water from the Elbow River filled the event level up to the eighth row, destroying the high-definition scoreboard which was on the rink floor, along with dressing rooms, the video control room, and team memorabilia. Flames president Ken King stated the event level was a total loss but expressed confidence the arena would be ready for the October start of the NHL season. The flooding forced the cancellation of all concerts and agricultural events scheduled for the 2013 Calgary Stampede. Crews worked intensively, with the director of building operations estimating 650,000 man-hours of work were compressed from a six-month project into two months. The facility received its occupancy permit in late August 2013. It reopened with an Eagles concert on September 11, followed by a Flames preseason game on September 14, meeting the deadline for the 2013-14 season.

Major Sporting Events and Tenants

As the long-time home of the Calgary Flames, the Saddledome has hosted numerous significant hockey events including the 1985 NHL All-Star Game, the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, and three Stanley Cup Finals series in 1986, 1989, and 2004. It is also the home arena for the Western Hockey League's Calgary Hitmen, who won the President's Cup there in 1999 before a WHL playoff record crowd of 17,139. The Hitmen hold league records for overall season attendance (362,227 in 2004-05) and single-game attendance (19,305 in 2007-08). The arena hosts the annual Crowchild Classic university hockey rivalry between the Calgary Dinos and Mount Royal Cougars, with the 2026 men's game setting a USports attendance record of 13,324 spectators. The Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League have called the Saddledome home, hosting the 2005 NLL All-Star Game and four Champion's Cup finals (2004, 2009, 2014, 2019), winning on home floor three times. Other major events include the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, the 2006 World Figure Skating Championships, and UFC events in 2012 (UFC 149) and 2018. The Professional Women's Hockey League held its first Calgary match at the Saddledome on April 1, 2026, with the Toronto Sceptres defeating the Ottawa Charge 2-1 before 16,150 fans. The arena also hosted an NBA preseason game between the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets in October 2016.

Concerts, Cultural Events, and Operational Notes

The opening of the Saddledome allowed Calgary to attract major concert tours that had previously bypassed the city due to a lack of a large modern venue. The Moody Blues, with Stevie Ray Vaughan as the opening act, were the first musical performers in November 1983. Rod Stewart holds the record for the most appearances with 11. However, the roof's design limits its ability to support the massive lighting and sound rigs used by some contemporary touring acts, leading some major tours to skip Calgary. Beyond sports and music, the venue has hosted the Canadian men's curling championship, the Brier, on four occasions (1997, 2002, 2009, 2015) and the women's Tournament of Hearts in 1995. It has been a regular site for WWE events, including the 1997 pay-per-view In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede, with its final WWE event held on August 23, 2026. AEW has also held events such as Dynamite and Battle of the Belts VII. The arena hosted a public address by the Dalai Lama in 2009 attended by 15,000 people and a 2005 celebration of Alberta's centennial with Queen Elizabeth II. It was the site of the 1990 Liberal Party leadership convention and has hosted Professional Bull Riders events. The location within Stampede Park provides access to the CTrain light rail system via the Victoria Park/Stampede station.

Amenities, Capacity, and Management Structure

The Saddledome has a seating capacity of 19,289 for hockey and lacrosse, with different configurations for other events. The facility contains 72 luxury suites, 41 of which were constructed during the 1995 renovation at the top of the lower bowl and 31 original suites at the top of the second level. There are also six party suites on the corners of the upper loges available for rent on an event basis. Sections 115 through 122 of the lower bowl form The Club, which offers in-seat concession service during Flames games, a feature later expanded to the entire lower bowl for Flames, Hitmen, and Roughnecks games via the Saddledome Live app. The Club includes a private dining room available during Flames games and large concerts. Dining and lounge options include Dutton's Canadian Lounge sports bar, The Saddleroom Grill, the Alumni Lounge, and the King Club. The Platinum Club is a 188-seat executive club accessible by membership, featuring a private bar, restaurant, and business centre. The arena is owned by the City of Calgary, which established the non-profit Saddledome Foundation in 1983 and leased the arena to it for 50 years. The foundation's mandate is to oversee operations in a manner that protects taxpayers and benefits amateur sports. Its board consists of nine directors, with three appointed by the city, three by the province, and one each by other designated organizations. Day-to-day management has been handled by the Calgary Flames organization since 1996.

Final Season and Planned Replacement

The Scotiabank Saddledome is slated for replacement by a new arena known as Scotia Place. The 2026-27 NHL season is planned to be the final season for the Calgary Flames in the Saddledome, with the team preparing to move for the 2027-28 season. Team communications and promotional materials in 2026 refer to it as the 'final season' at the venue. The final ice installation for the 2026-27 season was documented as part of the preparations. The impending closure concludes the building's tenure of over four decades as a central sports and entertainment venue in Calgary, having opened in 1983. The building is the third oldest arena in the NHL, after Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle and Madison Square Garden in New York, though both of those have undergone extensive renovations.

Questions about Scotiabank Saddledome

Why is it called the Saddledome?

The arena is named for its distinctive roof, which is shaped like a horse saddle. The architectural design is a reverse hyperbolic paraboloid. When the design was unveiled, the public and media immediately described the roof as saddle-shaped. A pre-opening naming contest drew 1,270 entries, with 735 involving the word 'saddle,' leading to the official selection of Olympic Saddledome from a hat containing similar suggestions.

What teams play at the Scotiabank Saddledome?

The primary tenant is the NHL's Calgary Flames. The arena is also the home of the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League and the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League. Additionally, it hosts the annual Crowchild Classic university hockey game between the Calgary Dinos and Mount Royal Cougars. The Professional Women's Hockey League also held its first Calgary match there in 2026.

When did the Scotiabank Saddledome open and why was it built?

The Scotiabank Saddledome opened on October 15, 1983. It was built to replace the inadequate Stampede Corral as the permanent home for the NHL's Calgary Flames, who arrived in the city in 1980. A key driving factor for its construction was Calgary's successful bid to host the 1988 Winter Olympics, as the arena was needed to host ice hockey and figure skating events. The project faced numerous delays due to community opposition over rezoning and traffic concerns before construction finally began in July 1981. The arena's opening provided a significant morale boost to a city then experiencing an economic downturn.

What happened to the Saddledome during the 2013 flood?

During the 2013 Alberta floods in June, the Saddledome was severely damaged when the Elbow and Bow Rivers overflowed. The event level of the arena was completely filled with water, flooding up to the eighth row of seats and resulting in a total loss of that area. The high definition scoreboard, which was stored on the rink floor, was destroyed along with the dressing rooms, video control room, and team equipment and memorabilia. Crews worked around the clock, compressing an estimated six months of repair work into two months and logging 650,000 man hours. The arena was repaired and reopened in time for a concert on September 11, 2013, followed by Flames preseason games later that month.

When is the Saddledome being replaced and what will replace it?

The Scotiabank Saddledome is slated to be replaced by a new arena called Scotia Place for the 2027-28 NHL season. The 2026-27 season is being promoted as the Calgary Flames' final season in the Saddledome, marking the end of its tenure as their home since 1983. The Flames have been preparing for this transition, with events like the final ice installation for the 2026-27 season taking place. Upon its closure, the Saddledome will end its run as the third oldest arena in the NHL, after Climate Pledge Arena and Madison Square Garden.

What are some of the major non-sporting events held at the Saddledome?

The Saddledome has hosted a wide variety of major non-sporting events throughout its history. It has been a key concert venue, featuring acts like The Moody Blues, Rod Stewart, and the Eagles, though some modern tours bypass it due to roof limitations. The arena has held major WWE pay-per-view events and UFC fights, including UFC 149 in 2012. It has also been the site for the Canadian men's curling championship, the Brier, on four occasions and hosted the World Figure Skating Championships in 2006. Significant public events include a 2009 address by the Dalai Lama attended by 15,000 people, a 2005 celebration with Queen Elizabeth II for Alberta's centennial, and the 1990 Liberal Party leadership convention.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.