Colisée Vidéotron

Planning and Construction

Planning for a new arena in Trois-Rivières began in the late 2010s to replace the aging Colisée de Trois-Rivières, which had served the community since 1938. The old colisée was primarily the home of the UQTR Patriotes university hockey teams, but the institution declined the initial lease offer for the new building. The city proceeded with construction of the CA$60 million facility with a planned opening date in late 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec caused delays, pushing the anticipated opening into early 2021. During this period, the city entered discussions to secure a professional hockey tenant, specifically an ECHL expansion team expected to be affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens. The approval of this franchise in January 2021 provided a concrete anchor tenant for the soon-to-open venue, ensuring its viability from the outset.

Opening and Naming Rights

The arena officially opened in September 2021, shortly after the finalization of a major corporate partnership. On September 9, 2021, a naming rights agreement was signed between the team and Quebecor Media, naming the building the Colisée Vidéotron for an initial period of five years. The financial terms of the deal were not publicly disclosed, but the partnership was later renewed for an additional five years, anchoring Vidéotron's brand in the Trois-Rivières community. This naming follows a pattern seen with other Quebec venues, such as the Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City, though the two are distinct facilities in different cities. The agreement reflects Vidéotron's corporate strategy to support local sports and integrate its services with regional cultural hubs.

Primary Tenant: The Trois-Rivières Lions

The Colisée Vidéotron was built with a major professional tenant in mind, which materialized with the arrival of the Trois-Rivières Lions. The ECHL approved the expansion franchise in January 2021 for the 2021-22 season. The team name, announced on June 10, 2021, pays homage to the city's previous professional hockey team that played from 1955 to 1960. The modern Lions are affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens, providing a development pathway for players. Éric Bélanger was named the franchise's first head coach on June 15, 2021. The venue is specifically designed to support the team's operations at all levels, providing dedicated facilities for competition, training, and player development. The partnership extends to broadcasting, with TVA Sports televising 36 of the Lions' home games during the season, plus playoff matches. Vidéotron's promotional campaigns encourage fans to follow the Lions' season using its LTE and 5G+ networks, linking the team's success directly to the corporate partner's services and fostering a strong connection with the local fanbase.

Facility and Capacity

The Colisée Vidéotron is a modern arena featuring state-of-the-art technology for events. Its standard configuration for hockey games provides seating for 4,390 fans, a figure that aligns with many ECHL venues. For concerts and other non-sporting events, the capacity can be expanded to accommodate up to 4,750 spectators. This flexibility makes it the largest indoor venue in the Mauricie region. The design and amenities represent a significant upgrade over the former Colisée, allowing the city to host a wider variety of larger-scale events. The facility is marketed as an ideal space for diverse programming, from sports to concerts and family shows, and is equipped with modern technological infrastructure to support high-quality productions for both live audiences and broadcasts.

Events and Community Role

Beyond Lions hockey, the Colisée Vidéotron hosts a wide range of sporting and entertainment events, contributing significantly to the cultural life of Trois-Rivières. Its calendar includes concerts, sporting competitions, and other live performances that draw visitors from across the region. The arena's management promotes it as a destination for events that require a modern, mid-sized venue, and its operational success is supported by partnerships with ticketing platforms. Vidéotron's stated commitment is to encourage local hockey and highlight Trois-Rivières and its sporting culture through this venue, which has effectively positioned the city as a competitive host for regional and provincial events. The diverse programming aims to provide memorable experiences and supports the local economy by attracting visitors to the area.

Key Dates in Arena and Team History

The development and operation of the Colisée Vidéotron and its primary tenant have been marked by several significant milestones. These events chart the course from construction to becoming an established community asset. The renewal of the naming rights deal demonstrates the mutually beneficial relationship between the corporate partner and the venue, ensuring continued investment in the facility's brand and operations. The partnership allows Vidéotron to connect with hockey fans through season packages and exclusive content, while the arena gains stable sponsorship and promotional support.

• Late 2010s: City of Trois-Rivières approves plan and begins construction on the new CA$60 million arena.
• January 2021: ECHL approves the Trois-Rivières expansion franchise for the 2021-22 season.
• June 10, 2021: New ECHL team is officially named the Trois-Rivières Lions, reviving a historic local name.
• June 15, 2021: Éric Bélanger is appointed as the first head coach of the Lions.
• September 2021: Colisée Vidéotron officially opens to the public.
• September 9, 2021: Naming rights agreement with Vidéotron is announced for a five-year term.
• 2021-22 season: Inaugural season of the Trois-Rivières Lions in the ECHL begins.

Broadcast and Media Partnerships

The Colisée Vidéotron and the Trois-Rivières Lions benefit from significant media partnerships that extend the venue's reach beyond its physical walls. TVA Sports, a network owned by the naming rights partner Quebecor, holds the broadcast rights for Lions home games. The network televises 36 regular-season home games each year, in addition to any playoff matches the team may host. This coverage is promoted as a key benefit for subscribers to Vidéotron's television or app-based sports packages. The integration of telecommunications and sports broadcasting is a central theme, with Vidéotron encouraging fans to use its reliable LTE and 5G+ networks to follow the team. This model creates a synergistic ecosystem where the arena serves as the live event hub, amplified by widespread media distribution and corporate support.

Questions about Colisée Vidéotron

Where is the Colisée Vidéotron located?

The Colisée Vidéotron is located in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. It is a multi-purpose arena situated in the Mauricie region. This modern venue positions Trois-Rivières as a prime destination for hosting events. It serves as a central hub for sports and entertainment for the local area and beyond. The arena replaced the old Colisée de Trois-Rivières, which had served the community since 1938.

What is the seating capacity of the Colisée Vidéotron?

The Colisée Vidéotron has a seating capacity of 4,390 fans for hockey games. It is recognized as the largest arena in the Mauricie region. For other types of events, such as concerts, the venue can accommodate up to 4,750 spectators. This flexible capacity makes it an ideal space for a wide range of sporting and cultural events. The modern facility is equipped with state of the art technology to enhance the visitor experience.

Who plays at the Colisée Vidéotron?

The main tenant of the Colisée Vidéotron is the Trois Rivières Lions professional hockey team in the ECHL. The Lions were approved as an expansion team in January 2021 and began play for the 2021-22 season. The arena is their home, providing dedicated facilities for competition, training, and player development. The team is named after a previous professional team that played in the city from 1955 to 1960.

When did the Colisée Vidéotron open?

The Colisée Vidéotron opened in September 2021. Its construction was completed with a planned opening date of late 2020, but this was delayed. The delay was due in part to the COVID 19 pandemic and ongoing discussions to secure a permanent tenant. The new arena was built to replace the aging Colisée de Trois Rivières, a rink that first opened in 1938. The naming rights agreement with Vidéotron was announced just before its opening.

How much did it cost to build the Colisée Vidéotron?

The construction of the Colisée Vidéotron cost CA$60 million. This investment was made by the city of Trois Rivières to build a new, modern arena. The facility was constructed to replace the old Colisée de Trois Rivières. The project was initiated in the late 2010s with the goal of providing a superior venue for the community. Initially, the University of Quebec at Trois Rivières Patriotes were considered as tenants before the ECHL Lions were secured.

Is the Colisée Vidéotron the same as the Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City?

No, the Colisée Vidéotron in Trois Rivières and the Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City are two distinct and separate arenas. Both venues have their naming rights held by the telecommunications company Vidéotron. The Centre Vidéotron is a multi purpose sports and entertainment venue located in the Cité Limoilou borough of Quebec City. The Colisée Vidéotron is located in Trois Rivières, which is in a different region. They are independent facilities serving their respective cities.

Sources and further reading

• Colisée Vidéotron (Wikipedia)
• Les alliés : Vidéotron et Lions de Trois-Rivières (videotron.com)
• Colisée Vidéotron | Billets, Calendrier & Événements 2026 (billets.ca)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-24.