Centre Vidéotron

History and Development

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 3, 2012, attended by political and business leaders including then-Premier Jean Charest and Québecor Chairman Pierre Karl Péladeau, alongside former Quebec Nordiques players. Construction officially began one week later on September 10, 2012. The final construction cost was $370 million, which was $30 million less than the initially projected $400 million budget. The city and provincial governments covered half of the arena's cost. On March 1, 2011, Québecor entered into an agreement to acquire the management rights for the arena without a public tender, a process for which the provincial government granted legal immunity. The deal involved an upfront payment and annual rent, with provisions for increased value should an NHL franchise occupy the building. As part of this management contract, Québecor also secured the naming rights, announcing on April 7, 2015, that the arena would be named after its cable subsidiary, Vidéotron.

Opening and Early Events

Centre Vidéotron officially opened to the public on September 3, 2015, with guided tours offered over the following three days. Its inaugural sporting event was a Quebec Remparts hockey game on September 12, 2015, against the Rimouski Océanic. That game set a QMJHL attendance record with a full capacity crowd of 18,259 fans. The first concert held at the arena was by the band Metallica on September 16, 2015, just two days after they played the final event at the old Colisée Pepsi. The venue quickly established itself as a major concert destination, hosting Madonna on her Rebel Heart Tour on September 21, 2015. The arena also began hosting the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament starting in 2016, welcoming young players from around the world.

Architectural Design and Features

Designed by the architectural firm Populous, Centre Vidéotron occupies approximately 64,000 square metres of space. Its size and design are comparable to other modern NHL arenas such as PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh and Rogers Place in Edmonton. Lead project designer Kurt Amundsen described the venue as having a 'hockey-first' design tailored to Canadian fans, prioritizing an intimate view of the game over extensive in-arena entertainment. The seating bowl was built to be as steep and tight as possible, creating a sense that spectators are on top of the ice. This steep angle necessitated the installation of safety rails at every row in the upper bowl to meet local building codes. A significant feature within the arena is a built-in television studio, valued between 30 and 40 million dollars, supporting broadcast productions for events.

Major Concert and Entertainment History

Centre Vidéotron has hosted a wide array of top musical acts since its opening. Celine Dion holds the record for the most performances at the venue, with eight concerts across her 2016 Summer Tour and the 2019 launch of her Courage World Tour. Shania Twain has performed multiple sold-out shows, beginning with her 2015 Rock This Country Tour and returning in 2018 and 2023. Other notable performers include Rihanna in 2016 and Billie Eilish, who opened her Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour at the arena on September 29, 2024. The venue has also become a regular stop for major professional wrestling promotions. WWE broadcast its Raw television program from the arena in August 2023 and again in August 2025, marking the first televised WWE events in Quebec City. All Elite Wrestling also held televised episodes of Dynamite and Rampage there on March 27, 2024.

Professional Sports and the NHL Quest

While the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL are the arena's primary and consistent hockey tenant, Centre Vidéotron has welcomed other professional leagues. The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) held its first game in Quebec City at the arena on January 19, 2025, where the Montreal Victoire defeated the Ottawa Charge 2-1 before a sell-out crowd. The PWHL returned on January 11, 2026, for a game between the Vancouver Goldeneyes and Montreal Victoire. The arena hosted its first National Basketball Association game on October 3, 2026, as part of the NBA Canada Series, where the Miami Heat defeated the Toronto Raptors. The central motivation for building the arena, however, remains the hope of securing an NHL franchise. The building's specifications and capacity are explicitly designed to NHL standards, and operator Québecor has actively promoted Quebec City for NHL expansion or relocation, though no team has yet materialized.

Economic Impact and Management

The financing model for Centre Vidéotron involved significant public investment, with the municipal and provincial governments contributing 50 percent of the $370 million construction cost. Québecor's management agreement, valued at tens of millions upfront plus annual rent, grants the company operational control and all revenue streams from events. This arrangement was controversial as it was awarded without a public tender process. Its modern facilities and central location in the Cité-Limoilou borough have made it a catalyst for development in the surrounding area. The arena's success in attracting major tours and sporting events has solidified its role as a key economic and cultural asset for the provincial capital.

Questions about Centre Vidéotron

What is the seating capacity of Centre Vidéotron for hockey games?

Centre Vidéotron has a seating capacity of 18,259 for ice hockey events. This capacity set a new Quebec Major Junior Hockey League attendance record during the Quebec Remparts' first game in the arena on September 12, 2015. The figure also represents a sell-out crowd, as seen during the first Professional Women's Hockey League game in January 2025. It is currently the 18th-largest ice hockey arena in North America.

Has Centre Vidéotron ever hosted an NBA game?

Yes, Centre Vidéotron hosted its first National Basketball Association game on October 3, 2026. The game was part of the NBA Canada Series of preseason matches. The Miami Heat faced the Toronto Raptors, with the Heat winning the game by a score of 129 to 105. This event marked the arena's expansion into hosting major professional basketball.

What is the primary purpose for which Centre Vidéotron was built?

The arena was built primarily for ice hockey and to serve as a potential venue for a National Hockey League team. It replaced the old Colisée Pepsi as Quebec City's main indoor venue. The design is described as hockey first to suit Canadian fans. It also supports bids for major events like the Winter Olympic Games.

When did the construction of Centre Vidéotron begin?

Construction for Centre Vidéotron began on September 10, 2012. A ground breaking ceremony was held a week earlier on September 3, 2012. The ceremony was attended by notable figures including former Quebec Nordiques players. The arena later opened to the public on September 8, 2015.

How much did it cost to build Centre Vidéotron and who paid for it?

The arena was expected to cost 400 million dollars but was built for 370 million dollars instead. The city and provincial governments covered 50 percent of the construction cost. Québecor acquired the management rights for the arena in a separate deal. The value of that management deal would increase if an NHL franchise moved in.

Which singer has performed the most concerts at Centre Vidéotron?

Celine Dion is the singer who has performed the most times at the venue for a total of 8 concerts. During her 2016 Summer Tour she played 5 times in front of 67368 spectators. She later launched her Courage World Tour there in 2019 with 3 concerts for 39930 spectators. This makes her the most frequent musical performer at the arena.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.