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FYI

Hamilton’s Largest Venue Set For A $280M Renovation

Hamilton, ON’s largest sports and concert venue, FirstOntario Centre, is due for a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, with work beginning next spring and a re-opening set for the fall of 2025.

Hamilton’s Largest Venue Set For A $280M Renovation

By FYI Staff

Hamilton, ON’s largest sports and concert venue, FirstOntario Centre, is due for a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, with work beginning next spring and a re-opening set for the fall of 2025.


The $280-million renovation is spearheaded by L.A.-based Oak View Group (OVG)–one of the largest developers of sports and live entertainment venues in the world.

As per the announcement, the facility will have an 18,000-seat capacity with a new facade, “premium seating, enhanced acoustics, improved sightlines, upgraded concourses, optimized clubs and suites and artist lounges.” The newly modernized venue will join a rapidly growing southwestern Canadian marketplace with the ability to accommodate larger shows alongside Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.

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Initially opened in 1985 as Copps Coliseum, the complex that includes two smaller venues has, over the years, been home to The Hamilton Steelhawks, and was where Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux scored the winning goal against the Soviet national ice hockey team in 1987.

FirstOntario Concert Hall and the Hamilton Convention Centre will remain open and continue to host events during the arena’s renovation, officials say.

Live Nation joins OVG as a booking partner to bring concerts and other live events to the city centre.

A new naming rights partner is expected to be announced later.

Upcoming shows at FirstOntario Place include Carrie Underwood, Bush, The Glorious Sons, and Cirque du Soleil.

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Sobeys Stadium
Courtesy Photo

Sobeys Stadium

Concerts

Toronto's Bowl at Sobeys Stadium Concert Venue Goes Quiet in 2025

Jeff Craib of The Feldman Agency confirms that the venue at the site of the National Bank Open will "hit pause" for summer 2025.

Last year, a new concert venue was unveiled. In summer 2024, The Feldman Agency opened The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium, located at the site of Canada's biggest tennis tournament, the National Bank Open. It was a partnership between Tennis Canada and the Toronto-based talent and booking company.

Now, after one summer of shows, the venue has gone quiet.

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