Canada Life Centre facts for kids
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Canada Life Centre as the MTS Centre in 2010
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 Canada Life Centre
Location in Manitoba
Canada Life Centre
Location in Canada
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| Former names | True North Centre (planning/construction) MTS Centre (2004–2017) Bell MTS Place (2017–2021) |
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| Address | 300 Portage Avenue |
| Location | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Coordinates | 49°53′34″N 97°8′37″W / 49.89278°N 97.14361°W |
| Owner | True North Sports & Entertainment |
| Operator | True North Sports & Entertainment |
| Capacity | Concerts: 16,345 Ice hockey: 8,812–15,225 |
| Record attendance | 17,000 (2018 Metallica concert) |
| Surface | Ice |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | April 16, 2003 |
| Built | April 2003 – November 2004 |
| Opened | November 16, 2004 |
| Construction cost | C$133.5 million ($184 million in 2021 dollars ) |
| Architect | Sink Combs Dethlefs Number TEN Architectural Group Smith Carter |
| Project manager | Hammes Company |
| Structural engineer | Martin/Martin, Inc. / Crosier Kilgour |
| Services engineer | M*E/MCW-AGE |
| General contractor | PCL Constructors Canada |
| Tenants | |
| Winnipeg Jets (NHL) (2011–present) Manitoba Moose (AHL) (2004–2011, 2015–present) Winnipeg Sea Bears (CEBL) (2023–present) Winnipeg Alliance FC (CMISL) (2007, 2010) Winnipeg Ice (WHL) (2023) |
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Canada Life Centre is a cool indoor stadium in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It's where the Winnipeg Jets hockey team (from the National Hockey League) plays. Their farm team, the Manitoba Moose (from the American Hockey League), also calls it home.
This arena was built where a famous old department store, Eaton's, used to be. True North Sports & Entertainment owns and runs the centre. It's a big building, about 41,000 square meters, and cost about $133.5 million Canadian dollars to build. The centre opened on November 16, 2004, and was first called the MTS Centre. It replaced the old Winnipeg Arena. For hockey games, it can hold 15,225 fans, and for concerts, it can fit 16,345 people.
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Building the Arena: A Look Back
The Canada Life Centre has an interesting history. It was built on the spot of the old Eaton's department store in Winnipeg. This store was a very important landmark.
From Old Store to New Arena
When the Eaton's store closed, people had many ideas for what to do with the building. The mayor of Winnipeg, Glen Murray, and True North Sports & Entertainment thought an arena would be best. They believed it would help make downtown Winnipeg better.
Some local people were sad to see the old store go. They even held a "group hug" around the building in 2001. But in 2002, the store was taken down to make way for the new entertainment centre.
Opening Day and Special Touches
The arena officially opened on November 16, 2004. It took the place of the Winnipeg Arena, which had been open since 1955. To remember the Eaton's store, red bricks were used in the arena's design. This made it look a bit like the old store on Portage Avenue.
Inside, you can find a piece of an original Eaton's store window. It holds items from the store's past. Two war memorials were also moved into the building. Even the Timothy Eaton statue, which was once a main feature of the store, is now in the arena. It stands one floor above where it used to be.
Changing Names Over Time
During its planning, the arena was called the "True North Centre." When it opened, it became the MTS Centre. This was part of a deal with Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS).
On May 30, 2017, its name changed to Bell MTS Place. This happened after Bell Canada bought MTS. Then, on June 15, 2021, True North announced a new deal. The arena was renamed Canada Life Centre, after the Canada Life Assurance Company. This new name will be used for 10 years.
Exciting Events at Canada Life Centre
This arena hosts many different events, especially sports.
Ice Hockey Games
Hockey is a huge part of the Canada Life Centre.
Manitoba Moose Hockey
The Manitoba Moose were the first team to play here, from 2004 to 2011. They are part of the American Hockey League (AHL). The team moved away for a few years when the Winnipeg Jets came back.
The Moose returned to the arena for the 2015–16 season. This made Canada Life Centre one of the first arenas to host both an NHL team and its AHL team. For most Moose games, only the lower part of the arena is used. This section can hold 8,812 fans.
The arena also hosted the AHL All-Star Classic on February 1, 2006. In that game, Team Canada beat Team PlanetUSA 9–4.
Winnipeg Jets and the NHL
The original Winnipeg Jets played in the old Winnipeg Arena from 1972 to 1996. They moved to Arizona because of money problems.
People in Winnipeg hoped to get an NHL team back. The MTS Centre seemed like a good place for one. Many wondered if the arena was big enough for an NHL team. It was smaller than most other NHL arenas at the time. But the owners believed its size was fine for the local market.
Before the Jets returned, the arena hosted several NHL practice games. The first was on September 17, 2006. The Edmonton Oilers played the Phoenix Coyotes (the old Jets team). The Oilers won 5–0 in front of a full crowd. These practice games happened every year until 2010.
On May 19, 2011, news spread that True North was buying the Atlanta Thrashers. They planned to move the team to Winnipeg. On May 31, 2011, it was officially announced. The team became the new Winnipeg Jets!
The arena had some small changes to get ready for the NHL. They added more press boxes and updated the ice system. The province also helped with money for the arena. This was part of a deal to support the Jets' return.
Over the next few years, more improvements were made. These included better concourses and a new high-definition scoreboard. They also added 278 premium seats in 2015. This slightly increased the arena's capacity.
Junior Hockey League Games
In May 2023, the Winnipeg Ice junior hockey team played their championship home games at Canada Life Centre. They usually play at a smaller arena. The Brandon Wheat Kings have also played some games here. This happens when their usual arena is busy with the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.
International Hockey Events
Canada Life Centre has also hosted big international hockey games. It was one of the places for the 2007 IIHF Women's World Championship. Canada won that tournament. Other events included games for the 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.
Other Sports and Entertainment
The arena isn't just for hockey.
Curling Competitions
Canada Life Centre hosted the 2008 Tim Hortons Brier, a major curling event. It also hosted the Grand Slam of Curling's Canadian Open several times.
Combat Sports and Wrestling
On June 15, 2013, the arena hosted UFC 161, a mixed martial arts event.
In professional wrestling, WWE Raw was broadcast from the arena on February 24, 2020. WWE SmackDown also came to Canada Life Centre on September 30, 2022.
On March 15, 2023, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) held a live show called Dynamite here. Before this event, AEW wrestler Chris Jericho, who lives in Winnipeg, was honored by the city. A part of a street was even renamed Chris Jericho Way!
Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame is located inside the Canada Life Centre. It's on the main level. Here, you can learn about the history of hockey in Manitoba and see famous players.
