Rexall Place

The former home of the Edmonton Oilers, closed in 2018 and slated for demolition by 2028.

Northlands Coliseum is a defunct indoor arena in Edmonton, Alberta. It was used for sports events and concerts, and was home to the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) and National Hockey League (NHL), and the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The arena opened in 1974, and was later known as Edmonton Coliseum, Skyreach Centre, and Rexall Place, before returning to the Northlands Coliseum name in summer 2016.

Quick Facts

Nickname: The House That Gretzky Built
Address: 7424 118 Avenue
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Groundbreaking: November 3, 1972
Opened: November 10, 1974
Closed: January 1, 2018
Renovated: 1994, 2001, 2007
Owner: Northlands (1974–2017); City of Edmonton (2018–)

Lore & Background

The Coliseum opened in 1974 as a replacement for the aging Edmonton Gardens. While the Edmonton Oilers' ownership group, including Charles Allard, had initially pursued to construct their own arena, they backtracked and partnered with the Edmonton Exhibition Association (EEA, now Northlands) after they expressed concern that Allard's proposed arena would 'greatly impact and damage' the organization. The 16,000-seat arena used the same architect and plans as Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum.

The final months of construction hit several setbacks, and the last batch of 5,000 seats arrived only shortly before its inaugural event—the Oilers' home opener on November 10, 1974, against the Cleveland Crusaders. The EEA held an official grand opening event on July 1, 1975. By the early-1990s, the Coliseum had begun to lag behind newer NHL arenas. In 1994, owner Peter Pocklington reached a rent agreement with Northlands valued at $2.8 million per-year.

In 1997, a proposed sale to Leslie Alexander triggered a clause that led to the Edmonton Investors Group forming to purchase the team. Northlands regained control of the Coliseum, with the Oilers agreeing to pay operational costs and $1 in rent per-year. In October 1998, the Coliseum was renamed Skyreach Centre after a naming rights agreement. In November 2003, the naming rights were acquired by Rexall, under which it was renamed Rexall Place.

Reader's Guide

The arena hosted the 1981 and 1984 Canada Cup hockey tournaments, the 1978 Commonwealth Games, seven Stanley Cup Finals (Oilers losses in 1983 and 2006, and Oilers victories in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990), many other hockey events, along with other sporting events and major concerts. The final NHL game played at the arena was on April 6, 2016. The building closed on New Year's Day 2018, after ownership of the facility was transferred from Northlands to the City of Edmonton. The venue is now in the process of being dismantled, which is expected to take an extended period of time due to the presence of hazardous substances such as lead and asbestos. Final demolition of the building is expected to begin in summer 2026, and be completed by 2028.

Did You Know?

The arena was the first NHL arena in Canada to have a centre-hung scoreboard with an electronic message board.
Noise levels during playoff games reached 119 decibels.
The official capacity for hockey when the arena closed was 16,839.
The last NHL goal at the arena was scored by Oiler Leon Draisaitl on April 6, 2016.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the previous names of Rexall Place?

Before becoming Rexall Place, the arena was known as Northlands Coliseum and briefly as Skyreach Centre during its operational life. It served as the Oilers' home ice for decades before the naming rights changed over time.

Which Stanley Cup championships happened at Rexall Place?

The facility hosted five of Edmonton's dynasty-era titles, specifically in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990. In total, the building witnessed seven Stanley Cup Finals during its history.

When did the Oilers stop playing at Rexall Place?

The team relocated to Rogers Place in 2016, ending their long tenure at this historic venue. The arena itself remained open for other events until it officially closed on January 1, 2018.

What happened to the building after it closed?

Following its closure, ownership of the structure was transferred to the City of Edmonton for future redevelopment plans. It stands as a retired landmark in Edmonton's sports history.