Here's What the Maple Leafs' New Home Will Look Like in 2024 and Beyond
Scotiabank Arena is undergoing a multi-phased renovation plan which began earlier this summer.
Scotiabank Arena is getting a makeover.
MLSE unveiled the plans for a $350-million renovation project to Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday. The Reimagination project includes a multi-phase renovation plan, with improvements to almost every part of the arena.
"The Scotiabank Arena Reimagination project is for our fans, first and foremost," said Interim President and CEO of MLSE, Cynthia Devine.
The project began this past summer as renovations to the 200-level and "Just Walk Out" marketplaces were added. Changes to the 200-level include a remodelling of the Mastercard Executive Lounge, where fans can watch the game while indulging in the food; included with your ticket.
MLSE also added a "One-of-a-kind Curated Art Collection" which can be found on the 200-level. The hallway features 76 commissioned art pieces illustrating the sports, history, and music scene created by 34 artists representing diverse communities.
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The "Just Walk Out" marketplaces are vendors where you tap your credit card before walking in, pick up the items you'd like to purchase, and leave without needing to check out. You'll be charged for the refreshments when you walk out of the store with them.
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Each of these additions will be available to see when the puck drops for the Maple Leafs' 2023-24 season on Wednesday night.
The Summer 2024 (and beyond) Renovations
Along with the renovations made this summer, more changes will be made to Scotiabank Arena when the Raptors and Maple Leafs' season concludes in the spring.
There will be a complete makeover of the 100-level, giving fans new experiences when they walk into the arena. Along with that, there'll be more concessions where you pay and then get your food, similar to the "Just Walk Out" marketplaces.
Changes will also be made to the Molson Brewhouse, Real Sports Apparel store, and the Hot Stove Club. The biggest modification will be a second Real Sports Apparel store which will be added on the other side of the Gate 1 entrance.
"What that'll really do is dramatically expand access for our fans to their favourite team merch as well as expand access to our artists and live touring merchandise," said MLSE Chief Venues and Operations Officer, Nick Eaves.
Other additions include a "Tunnel Club" which will give fans in the restaurant prime viewing opportunities to see both Maple Leafs and Raptors players walking onto the court/ice.
"I just think it's one of those immersive experiences that anybody would want to be able to get access to if they could," Eaves said. "It's part of the show... It's telling the story earlier. It's expanding the experience for people so they can really be in the moment with those players that they have such a fandom for."
Eaves also said that the pathway players take to the ice won't change, but more or less what's around them will. But fans expecting to get a fist bump from the players will be out of luck as there will be a glass barrier separating the two parties from each other.
Capacity levels in the arena won't change much following the renovations. The arena will also convert two of the 100-level washrooms into gender-neutral washrooms.
"That's something that we think is really important in terms of creating a more inclusive space. Operationally, we think it's actually going to work better too," Eaves said.
"The point is, creating a more inclusive space where all of our fans are more comfortable."
In a later phase of the renovations, Eaves says MLSE is looking at replacing all of the lower-bowl seats. In terms of a timeline for those changes, Eaves cannot give one but says they will be done before 2030.
"There's some technology in the bowl that needs to be replaced. The main scoreboard, if you could believe it, was installed in 2016, which feels like yesterday but it was only seven years ago and that type of technology moves so quickly.
"So a combination of seating, plus technology, the LED ribbon that goes around the different levels, all are things that we're going to be looking at as we move through the phased renovations."
The biggest question on everyone's mind, though, is how will these renovations affect the cost of tickets? With the rising cost of living, will MLSE be able to keep the ticket prices down with year-over-year renovations?
Eaves says the arena changes won't have any effect on the prices of tickets.
"Those sorts of investments don't tie directly into ticket pricing," Eaves said. "Our team every year goes and looks at ticket pricing across each of the four teams and makes that determination based on demand, the market, and things such as that."
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