Scotiabank Arena

Home of the Toronto Raptors on Bay Street in downtown Toronto.

Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as Air Canada Centre (ACC), is a multi-purpose arena located on Bay Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario. Opened on February 19, 1999, it was built at a cost of $265 million ($499 million as of 2022) to replace the outdated Maple Leaf Gardens. Owned and operated by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE), the venue serves as the home for the Toronto Raptors (NBA) and Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL). It also hosts occasional games for the Toronto Marlies, Raptors 905, and Toronto Sceptres. Beyond sports, the arena welcomes concerts, political conventions, and video game competitions.

Quick Facts

Address: 40 Bay Street
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Groundbreaking: 1938 (original building); March 12, 1997 (reconstruction)
Opened: February 19, 1999
Acreage: 61,780.5 m² / 0.024 sq mi
Owner: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Former names: Toronto Postal Delivery Building; Air Canada Centre (ACC) (1999–2018)
Architect: Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects (Architect of Record); HOK Sport (Consulting Architects)

Lore & Background

The site's history began long before the first basketball hoop was raised; by 1858, it sat between Rees Wharf and Tinnings Wharf as part of Toronto's inner harbour. After infill expanded the land southward, the location became home to the Toronto Postal Delivery Building in 1941. Designed by Charles B. Dolphin in an Art Deco style with limestone bas relief carvings by Louis Temporale Sr., it served Canada Post until 1989. Following a failed redevelopment attempt in the recession of the early 1990s, the building was acquired by the Toronto Raptors' ownership group in December 1994. Construction began in March 1997, nearly two years before the February 1999 opening, and in 1998, the project was absorbed into Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE). The venue's first public event was a Toronto Maple Leafs game on February 20, 1999, against the Montreal Canadiens; the Raptors took on the Vancouver Grizzlies on February 21. A private concert by the Tragically Hip for workers and media had taken place earlier, on February 13.

Reader's Guide

Visitors arrive at Scotiabank Arena via Union Station, which connects directly to the arena's railway, subway, and regional bus services through the PATH system. The building is situated in downtown Toronto on Bay Street, surrounded by skyscrapers and hotels that rose during the late 1980s real estate boom. While the exterior features historic limestone carvings depicting transportation history, fans should note that salt spray from the nearby Gardiner Expressway has accelerated their deterioration. Inside, the arena is a massive 61,780.5 square metres (665,000 square feet). Whether attending an NBA game, NHL match, or concert, guests can expect a venue that once hosted political conventions and video game competitions alongside its primary tenants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Scotiabank Arena located?

The arena sits on Bay Street in the heart of downtown Toronto, Ontario, making it a central landmark in the city's sports and entertainment district.

When did Scotiabank Arena first open its doors?

The arena welcomed its first fans on February 19, 1999, and has served as a major Toronto venue ever since.

Who owns and operates Scotiabank Arena?

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. holds ownership and day-to-day operations of the facility. It is the same parent organization behind both the Raptors and the Maple Leafs.