Canada Life Place

Ownership and management

The arena operates under a public-private partnership model, leased from the City of London by the London Civic Centre Corporation. This corporation is owned jointly by the construction firm EllisDon and the American venue management company Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Comcast. Global Spectrum is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of Canada Life Place, leveraging its experience from overseeing more than 100 other arenas worldwide. The City of London contributed $32 million toward the arena's construction and an additional $10 million for land acquisition, while the London Civic Centre Corporation invested a further $9.5 million into the building. This partnership structure was designed to share financial risk and operational expertise, ensuring the venue's long-term viability as a regional hub for events and community gatherings.

Design and seating configurations

Canada Life Place was designed as a flexible, multi-purpose venue capable of hosting a wide variety of events. Its seating capacity varies significantly depending on the configuration, allowing it to cater to both intimate performances and large-scale spectacles. For major junior hockey, the primary configuration seats 9,046 spectators, providing an energetic atmosphere for London Knights games. The venue can accommodate up to 10,200 people for a centre-stage concert, while an end-stage concert setup holds approximately 9,000. For more intimate events, the arena features a theatre mode that can be configured for 3,200 or 2,800 attendees, complete with a 30-line fly grid to support theatrical scenery and lighting. During the initial planning stages, seating estimates ranged from 6,500 to over 12,000 before settling on the original 9,090, a decision influenced by the financial struggles of smaller arenas and the prohibitive cost of constructing a larger facility. The venue also includes 38 luxury suites and 1,100 club seats, offering premium experiences for corporate clients and fans seeking enhanced amenities.

Naming history and rights

The arena's naming history reflects corporate sponsorship agreements tied to the brewing industry and financial services. It opened in 2002 as the John Labatt Centre, named for the founder of the Labatt Brewing Company, which has a major production plant in London. This initial naming rights deal was valued at $5 million for a 10-year term. When that agreement expired in the fall of 2012, Labatt exercised an exclusive option to renew and chose to rename the venue Budweiser Gardens to promote the flagship brand of its sister corporation, Anheuser-Busch. The new 10-year deal was worth $6.4 million. The naming rights process was managed for the City of London by Global Spectrum through its subsidiary, Front Row Marketing. In October 2024, a new agreement was finalized with Canada Life, leading to the venue's current name, Canada Life Place. Proceeds from these naming rights agreements contribute to the venue's net revenue, shared between the city and the management corporation, though the exact division of funds is not publicly disclosed.

Major sporting events

Canada Life Place has established itself as a premier venue for hockey and other sporting events in Canada. Its primary tenant, the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, has celebrated multiple championship victories on its ice, cementing the arena's reputation. The Knights won their first OHL Championship and Memorial Cup on home ice during the 2004-05 season, a triumph that occurred just a few years after the arena opened. Further OHL championship victories at home followed in 2012, 2013, and most recently in 2025. The arena has hosted the Memorial Cup, the Canadian Hockey League's national championship, on two occasions: in 2005, which the Knights won, and in 2014, where the Edmonton Oil Kings defeated the Guelph Storm 6-3. Beyond junior hockey, the venue has hosted a diverse array of national and international competitions including the 2005 Canadian Figure Skating Championships and the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships.

Key sporting events hosted at the arena include the 2005 and 2014 Memorial Cup tournaments. The arena has also hosted the 2005 Canadian Figure Skating Championships, the 2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, the 2007 World Synchronized Skating Championships, and the 2011 and 2023 Tim Hortons Brier. It hosted an NHL preseason game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 22, 2014. The arena also hosted the World Figure Skating Championships in 2013.

• 2005 Memorial Cup (won by London Knights)
• 2005 Canadian Figure Skating Championships
• 2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts (women's curling)
• 2007 World Synchronized Skating Championships
• 2011 and 2023 Tim Hortons Brier (men's curling)
• 2013 World Figure Skating Championships
• 2014 Memorial Cup (won by Edmonton Oil Kings)
• An NHL preseason game between Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs in 2014

The University of Western Ontario Mustangs hockey team used the arena as their home arena from 2005 until 2007. The London Lightning professional basketball team used the arena from 2011 to 2025. The venue hosts a wide variety of family entertainment such as Disney on Ice, the Harlem Globetrotters, Monster Jam, and Stars on Ice. It also hosted an international jousting tournament two years in a row.

Concerts and entertainment

Since its opening, Canada Life Place has been a major stop for touring musicians, theatrical productions, and award shows. The venue launched as a concert hall with Cher's 'Living Proof: The Farewell Tour' in 2002, which returned for an encore in 2005. It has been the site for several notable live recordings, including Sum 41's 2005 album 'Go Chuck Yourself' and Meat Loaf's '3 Bats Live' DVD from 2007. The arena's versatility was demonstrated when Cirque du Soleil staged its first-ever arena show there, a rebuilt production of 'Saltimbanco'. In 2010, the venue's quality was recognized when it was awarded Canadian Venue of the Year at the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards. A significant cultural milestone was hosting the 2019 Juno Awards on March 17, 2019, broadcasting Canada's premier music honours to a national audience. The arena has also become a destination for professional wrestling, hosting All Elite Wrestling for a live broadcast of AEW Collision and tapings for other shows in March 2024, with a return event, 'September to Remember', scheduled for September 17, 2025. Other performers have included Sting with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2010, adding to the venue's rich history of live music.

Event history and attendance

The operational and financial success of Canada Life Place is demonstrated by its consistent hosting of high-profile events across two decades. The table below outlines a selection of major events and their years, illustrating the venue's diverse programming from sports to music and awards. This consistent calendar of events has made the arena an economic driver for downtown London, attracting visitors from across Southwestern Ontario. The decision to build a venue in the 9,000-seat range, as opposed to a larger one, was validated by its ability to attract events that fill the building while maintaining operational efficiency.

The London Knights have won several OHL championships on home ice, including in 2004-05, 2012, 2013, and 2025. The arena was well positioned to take advantage of the team's popularity and success. The arena has hosted a wide variety of concerts, family shows, and national championships. The arena was built by EllisDon Corp., builders of Toronto's Rogers Centre, at a cost of approximately $42 million.

Questions about Canada Life Place

What is the seating capacity of Canada Life Place for a London Knights game?

For London Knights Ontario Hockey League games, Canada Life Place has a seating capacity of 9,046. The venue was originally designed with approximately 9,090 seats for hockey after planners considered options ranging from 6,500 to over 12,000. This size was chosen to balance financial viability with the ability to create an energetic atmosphere for major junior hockey and other events. The arena also features 38 luxury suites and 1,100 club seats for premium viewing experiences.

Why did the arena change its name from Budweiser Gardens?

The arena changed its name from Budweiser Gardens to Canada Life Place in October 2024 when a new naming rights agreement was finalized with the insurance company Canada Life. The venue was originally called the John Labatt Centre from 2002 to 2012 before being renamed Budweiser Gardens for a 10-year term. Naming rights are managed by the operator, Global Spectrum, with proceeds contributing to the venue's net revenue shared between the city and the management corporation. The original Labatt deal was for $5 million, while the 2012 Budweiser agreement was valued at $6.4 million.

What major hockey championships has the arena hosted?

Canada Life Place has hosted the Memorial Cup, the national championship of the Canadian Hockey League, on two occasions. It was the site of the 2005 Memorial Cup, which was won by the home team, the London Knights. The arena also hosted the 2014 Memorial Cup, where the Edmonton Oil Kings were crowned champions after defeating the Guelph Storm 6-3. The London Knights have won multiple OHL championships on home ice, including in 2005, 2012, 2013, and 2025, making it a historic venue for junior hockey success.

Has Canada Life Place ever hosted an NHL game?

Yes, Canada Life Place hosted a National Hockey League preseason game on September 22, 2014. The contest featured the Philadelphia Flyers against the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the Maple Leafs winning 3-2 in a shootout. While regular season NHL games have not been held there, this preseason event demonstrated the arena's capability to host hockey at the professional level. The game was part of the venue's broader history of hosting high-profile hockey events beyond its primary tenant, the OHL's London Knights.

What other sports teams have called the arena home?

Beyond the London Knights, other teams have used Canada Life Place as their home venue. The London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada played their home games at the arena from the team's inception in 2011 until 2025. The University of Western Ontario Mustangs men's hockey team used the facility as their home arena for two seasons, from 2005 until 2007, before returning to Thompson Arena on campus. These tenancies highlight the arena's role as a multi-sport facility serving both professional and university-level athletics in the London region.

What notable non-sporting events have been held at Canada Life Place?

The arena has hosted a wide array of major entertainment events. It was the venue for the 2019 Juno Awards, Canada's premier music awards ceremony. It has staged numerous Broadway shows and touring concerts, including the debut of Cirque du Soleil's first arena show, a production of Saltimbanco. The venue has also hosted professional wrestling television tapings for All Elite Wrestling in 2024 and has scheduled further events for 2025. Other notable events include live album recordings by bands like Sum 41 and performances by artists such as Sting with a full orchestra.

Sources and further reading

• Canada Life Place (Wikipedia)
• Canada Life Place (londontourism.ca)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.