Opening in November of 2004, the Canada Life Centre (formerly MTS Centre and Bell MTS Place) is the home of the Winnipeg Jets. Located in downtown Winnipeg, the arena welcomed back NHL hockey to the city in 2011, when the Atlanta Thrashers were purchased by True North Sports & Entertainment, which also owns and operates the arena. In June of 2021 it was announced that Canada Life had purchased the naming rights to the venue, ending the era of Bell MTS Place.
The Winnipeg Jets have traveled a long and winding road, first as a WHA team beginning in 1972, then becoming part of the NHL during the merger in 1979, followed by being sold and moved to Arizona to become the Phoenix Coyotes. The new Winnipeg Jets, as they are sometimes referred to now, have struggled to consistently make the playoffs, but did battle with the Las Vegas Knights for the Conference Championship as recently as 2018. The new Winnipeg Jets’ fans have adopted some of their own traditions, like shouting the words “True North!” (in the line “The True North strong and free”) during the Canadian national anthem as a nod to the team and arena’s owner.
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How many seats are in Canada Life Centre
Bell MTS Place or now the Canada Life Centre, has a capacity of 15,321 for Winnipeg Jets’ games, earning it the nickname, “the Phone Booth,” due to its smaller size compared to other NHL arenas. In addition to three levels of regular seating, the arena also offers suites and other specialized sections for fans.
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Be sure to check out the food at Canada Life Centre!
Directions – How to get to Canada Life Centre
The Canada Life Centre, previously the Bell MTS Place, is located at 345 Graham Avenue in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. Depending on where they are traveling from, most fans will arrive via either Trans Canada Highway 1 or Highway 75 which becomes Pembina Highway. The arena is just to the north of the South Portage portion of Winnipeg. You can also take public transportation to the arena, with five different bus routes near the former Bell MTS Place.
Where to Park near Canada Life Centre?
There are nearly 30,000 parking spots in downtown Winnipeg, 3,000 of which are within a five-minute walk of the Canada Life Centre and a total of 13,000 within 10 minutes on foot. Parking rates vary from $5 to $20 depending on the exact game or event, and there are electric car charging stations available at True North Square Parking.
Other Canada Life Centre FAQs
What was the Canada Life Centre called before?
The Canada Life Centre, which until earlier in 2021 was Bell MTS Place, has also been referred to as True North Centre during planning and construction, the MTS Centre from 2004 to 2017 and most recently Bell MTS Place from 2017 to 2021.
Where did the Winnipeg Jets move to?
The original Winnipeg Jets, who began as a WHA team and were absorbed by the NHL along with three other teams in 1979, eventually moved to Arizona and became the Phoenix Coyotes. In 2011, the Atlanta Thrashers were purchased by Winnipeg-based company True North, and once again Winnipeg would have a Jets NHL franchise.
According to the Canada Life Centre (previously Bell MTS Place) website, every attendee must be fully vaccinated, be 100% symptom free, and wear a mask during events. The venue has instituted a “no bag” policy, begun using mobile ticketing for touchless entry, and has rigorous cleaning and disinfecting protocols in place. When paying at concession stands and other retail spots within the arena, management also encourages patrons to use tap technology whenever possible.
How much is a Winnipeg Jets hockey ticket?
Looking at both the primary and secondary markets, fans can purchase Winnipeg Jets’ tickets for as low as $29 for specific individual games. In most cases, tickets average about $100 and range from $60 in the upper seating area to $220 in sections closer to the ice.
What hockey teams play at the Canada Life Centre?
The arena, now the Canada Life Centre, is the home of the National Hockey League’s Winnipeg Jets and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.
Who owns the Canada Life Centre?
The arena is owned and operated by True North Sports and Entertainment.
