Slush Puppie Place
Slush Puppie Place is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in downtown Kingston, Ontario, serving as the city's premier sports and entertainment venue. Opened in 2008 as the K-Rock Centre, it is the home arena of the Ontario Hockey League's Kingston Frontenacs. The facility has hosted major national events, from the Tim Hortons Brier to concerts by celebrated Canadian artists, and is a cultural hub for the Kingston community. Its current name stems from a 15-year naming rights agreement with the Slush Puppie brand, a subsidiary of J&J Snack Foods, which began in January 2024.
History and construction
The arena was constructed on city-owned land known as the North Block, which was previously used as a parking lot. An archaeological dig was conducted prior to construction as the southeast portion of the site was the former location of part of the historic Fort Frontenac. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on July 28, 2006, with EllisDon Construction beginning work on November 3 of that year. The arena was designed by the architectural firm Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects and opened to the public in early 2008. The remaining ruins of Fort Frontenac's northwest bastion are located directly across the street from the main entrance, providing a historical counterpoint to the modern facility.
The venue's naming rights have changed several times throughout its history, reflecting corporate sponsorship agreements. On February 6, 2008, local radio station CIKR-FM purchased the initial naming rights in a 10-year, $3.3 million deal, dubbing the building the K-Rock Centre. In August 2013, the name was amended to Rogers K-Rock Centre following Rogers Communications' acquisition of the radio station. A five-year agreement valued at $257,000 annually with local Leon's franchise owner Chris McKercher took effect in 2018, renaming the arena Leon's Centre. The current name, Slush Puppie Place, resulted from a 15-year naming rights agreement with J&J Snack Foods via its Slush Puppie subsidiary, announced in January 2024 and valued at approximately $2.2 million.
Architecture and location
Slush Puppie Place is situated in the heart of downtown Kingston, contributing to the area's revitalization and economic activity. The arena's design by Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects created a modern, functional space suitable for a wide variety of events. The main entrance faces The Tragically Hip Way, a street renamed by Kingston City Council in February 2012 in honour of the legendary Kingston band. The facility uses a dispersed parking model, directing visitors to various municipal lots and on-street parking in the surrounding downtown core rather than offering a single, dedicated lot. The venue's capacity is flexible depending on the event configuration, with a standard seating capacity of 5,000 for hockey games and the ability to accommodate approximately 6,700 patrons for concerts and other major events.
Public access is managed through four main entry gates, with Gates 1 and 2 featuring ramped sidewalk entrances and Gates 3 and 4 being level with the sidewalk. The arena is located in downtown Kingston, Ontario, on a city-owned site known as the North Block. The southeast portion of this site was the former location of part of the historic Fort Frontenac, with the remaining ruins of the fort's northwest bastion located directly across the street from the main entrance. In February 2012, Kingston City Council voted to rename the street on which the arena is located to The Tragically Hip Way in honour of the Kingston band. This venue is a central gathering point for the community and integrates with the city's historical landmarks.
Primary tenant and hockey events
The primary and original tenant of Slush Puppie Place is the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. The Frontenacs played their first game at the arena on February 22, 2008, a 3-2 loss to their rivals, the Belleville Bulls. Kingston native and hockey personality Don Cherry performed the ceremonial puck drop for that inaugural game. The team earned its first home victory just two days later on February 24, 2008, defeating the Peterborough Petes by a score of 7-4. The arena has since been the consistent home for the Frontenacs, hosting regular season and playoff games for over fifteen seasons.
Beyond Frontenacs games, the venue has been selected to host significant OHL events, including the 2026 OHL Draft scheduled for June of that year. The arena's facilities and central location make it a suitable host for such league-wide functions. For hockey games, gates typically open 60 minutes before puck drop to allow fans time to find their seats. The combination of a dedicated major junior hockey tenant and high-profile league events solidifies the arena's status as a key hockey venue in Eastern Ontario.
Major concerts and entertainment
The arena has established a strong reputation as a concert venue, hosting a diverse array of musical acts since its opening. The inaugural concert was performed by hometown band The Tragically Hip on February 23, 2008, setting a high cultural standard for the venue. A significant event occurred on August 20, 2016, when The Tragically Hip played the final concert of their Man Machine Poem Tour there, following the announcement that lead singer Gord Downie had terminal brain cancer. This concert was broadcast nationally by the CBC as The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration and was attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, marking a major moment in Canadian cultural history.
The venue's concert history includes performances by a wide range of international and Canadian artists. The list of notable performers includes Elton John, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Sting, Avril Lavigne, and Billy Talent. Other entertainment events have featured comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and productions such as Cirque du Soleil. The arena continues to book major tours, with scheduled events into 2026 and 2027, maintaining its role as a primary stop for entertainment in the region.
- The Tragically Hip (Inaugural concert, February 23, 2008)
- Elton John
- Neil Young
- Cirque du Soleil
- Deadmau5
- Bryan Adams
- Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson
- Sting
National sporting championships
Slush Puppie Place has been selected to host several prestigious national sporting championships, bringing significant events to Kingston. In curling, the arena was the venue for the 2013 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Canada's national women's curling championship. These events draw thousands of visitors and are broadcast nationally, highlighting the city and the arena's capabilities for large-scale competitions. The venue has also been a site for major figure skating competitions. It hosted the 2010 Skate Canada International, part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series, and the 2015 Canadian Figure Skating Championships, which crown national champions. The arena's ice surface and spectator facilities are well-suited for such elite competitions. Beyond these, the venue hosts other sporting and special events, such as the Harlem Globetrotters' Rivalry Tour in February 2027 and the Kingston Gaming, Esports & Cosplay Festival scheduled for July 3-5, 2026.
| Event | Year | Sport/Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Scotties Tournament of Hearts | 2013 | Curling (Women's) |
| Skate Canada International | 2010 | Figure Skating |
| Canadian Figure Skating Championships | 2015 | Figure Skating |
| Tim Hortons Brier | 2020 | Curling (Men's) |
| OHL Draft | 2026 | Ice Hockey |
Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame
Housed within Slush Puppie Place is the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame, which honours athletes and builders who have made significant contributions to sports in the Kingston region. The hall of fame was originally established and opened in 1996 at a different location before moving into the newly built arena in 2008. Its presence within the city's premier sports venue provides high visibility and allows visitors to engage with local sports history. The hall serves as a permanent tribute to the area's rich athletic heritage and connects the modern events held in the arena with the historical accomplishments of Kingston's sporting community.
Induction criteria are clearly defined for the two categories of honourees. Athletes must be retired from their sport for at least three years or be over the age of 50 to be eligible for nomination. Builders of sport, which includes coaches, administrators, and other contributors, are eligible for induction at any time. The hall of fame celebrates a wide range of sports and achievements, making it a key cultural feature within the larger venue and a destination for those interested in the region's sporting legacy.
Venue operations and visitor information
Slush Puppie Place operates as a multi-use facility, requiring adaptable logistics for different types of events. For Kingston Frontenacs games, gates open 60 minutes prior to puck drop, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early. Entry is through Gates 1 to 4, with accessibility features including ramped entrances at Gates 1 and 2. The arena employs a dispersed parking model, utilizing various city-owned lots and on-street parking in the downtown area rather than a single attached parking structure. This approach integrates the venue with existing city infrastructure and encourages pedestrian traffic in the downtown core.
The venue hosts a constantly evolving schedule of events, from sports and concerts to family shows and festivals. Ticket sales are managed through standard platforms like Ticketmaster, with pricing varying by event. The cancellation of the GymArt Battle Royal event originally scheduled for November 14-15, 2026, demonstrated standard refund protocols, with automatic processing back to the original payment method. The arena's management focuses on providing clear 'Know Before You Go' information to ensure a positive experience for all visitors attending its diverse programming throughout the year.
Questions about Slush Puppie Place
Where is Slush Puppie Place located?
Slush Puppie Place is located in downtown Kingston, Ontario. The arena's address is 1350 Gardiners Road, and its main entrance faces The Tragically Hip Way, a street renamed in 2012 to honour the famous Kingston band. The venue is built on city-owned land known as the North Block, directly across from the historic ruins of Fort Frontenac's northwest bastion. Its central downtown location makes it a hub for entertainment and sports in the city.
What is the seating capacity of Slush Puppie Place?
The seating capacity of Slush Puppie Place varies depending on the event configuration. For Kingston Frontenacs Ontario Hockey League games, the arena has a capacity of approximately 5,000 seats. For concerts and other major entertainment events, the venue can accommodate around 6,700 patrons. The flexible design allows for different stage and floor setups to maximize audience size for various types of performances and gatherings.
What was the arena called before Slush Puppie Place?
The arena has had several previous names since opening in 2008. It first opened as the K-Rock Centre following a naming rights deal with local radio station CIKR-FM. In 2013, the name was updated to Rogers K-Rock Centre after Rogers Communications acquired the station. From 2018 to 2024, it was known as Leon's Centre under an agreement with a local Leon's furniture franchise owner. The current name, Slush Puppie Place, took effect in January 2024.
What major events has Slush Puppie Place hosted?
Slush Puppie Place has hosted a wide array of major national and international events. In sports, it has been the venue for the 2013 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier, the 2010 Skate Canada International, and the 2015 Canadian Figure Skating Championships. For concerts, it famously hosted The Tragically Hip's final tour concert in 2016, broadcast nationally by the CBC, and has featured artists like Elton John, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan. It is also scheduled to host the 2026 OHL Draft.
Is the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame inside the arena?
Yes, the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame is located inside Slush Puppie Place. The hall of fame moved into the arena in 2008, the year the venue opened, from its original location established in 1996. It honours athletes and builders who have contributed significantly to sports in the Kingston region, with specific eligibility criteria for induction. Its presence within the arena connects the community's sporting past with its present-day events.
How do I get tickets for events at Slush Puppie Place?
Tickets for events at Slush Puppie Place are typically available through major ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster, as well as the venue's own website. The venue uses a dispersed parking model and gates open 60 minutes before events such as Kingston Frontenacs hockey games, with entry through Gates 1 to 4. In the event of a cancellation, such as the GymArt Battle Royal originally scheduled for November 2026, Ticketmaster automatically processes refunds to the original payment method. The venue hosts a wide variety of events including concerts, sports, and family entertainment, so checking the official schedule is recommended. For specific events like the Harlem Globetrotters show in February 2027 or the Kingston Gaming, Esports & Cosplay Festival in July 2026, tickets are sold in advance. It is best to purchase tickets early for popular events to secure seating.
Sources and further reading
- Slush Puppie Place (Wikipedia)
- Kingston, ON (slushpuppieplace.com)
Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.
