Scotia Place is a multi‑purpose arena and event centre currently under construction in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The facility is intended to replace the Scotiabank Saddledome as the home venue for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL) and to serve as a premier location for a variety of sports, concerts, conventions, and community events.
Location and Ownership
- Situated in Calgary’s Victoria Park neighbourhood, part of the city’s Culture + Entertainment District.
- The project is owned by the City of Calgary and will be operated by the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) under a long‑term lease agreement.
Capacity and Facilities
- Designed to accommodate approximately 18,400 spectators for hockey.
- Includes 52 executive suites and extensive public‑access areas.
- Planned to feature an indoor rink, indoor and outdoor plazas, and integration with surrounding district improvements such as pedestrian pathways and public transit access (Victoria Park / Stampede station).
Design and Construction
- Architectural design led by Dialog and HOK, with structural engineering by Entuitive and Thornton Tomasetti.
- Groundbreaking took place on 22 July 2024.
- Total projected cost is about C$1.223 billion, split among the City of Calgary (≈ C$537 million), CSEC (≈ C$748 million over 35 years), and the Province of Alberta (≈ C$330 million for community‑rink and infrastructure components).
- Construction is being carried out by main contractors CANA and Mortensen.
Historical Context
- The project evolved from earlier proposals such as “CalgaryNEXT,” a 2015 plan that envisioned a combined arena and football stadium. After political and financial challenges, the city shifted to a single‑venue concept focused on a new event centre adjacent to the existing Saddledome site.
- A series of negotiations and cost revisions between the city, provincial government, and CSEC culminated in the 2023 agreement to proceed with the current design and budget.
Timeline
- Construction began in July 2024.
- The arena is scheduled to open prior to the start of the 2027–28 NHL season, with an anticipated opening in the fall of 2027.
Transportation and Access
- The venue will be served by Calgary’s public‑transit network, with nearby C‑Train stations and bus routes facilitating access for spectators and event attendees.
Significance
Scotia Place is positioned to become a landmark attraction within Calgary’s emerging Culture + Entertainment District, providing a modern, high‑capacity venue for professional sports, major entertainment productions, and community gatherings, and contributing to the city’s broader economic and cultural development initiatives.
