Andrew Pace
The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They play their home games at the Scotiabank Arena, which was previously known as the Air Canada Centre. The arena is located in downtown Toronto and is also home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League. The Scotiabank Arena is a large, multi-purpose venue with a capacity of 19,800 seats for basketball games, including standing room. The venue is renowned for its accessibility, security, and environmental dedication, and has hosted over 39 million fans at more than 2,600 events since its opening in 1999.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Scotiabank Arena (SBA) |
| Previous Name | Air Canada Centre (ACC) |
| Location | Bay Street, South Core district, downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Owner | Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE) |
| Teams | Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Marlies, Raptors 905, Toronto Rock |
| Sports | Basketball, Hockey, Lacrosse |
| Size | 61,780.5 square metres (665,000 sq ft) |
| Capacity | 20,511 (basketball) and 20,270 (hockey) |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible, lowered service counters, accessible seating areas |
| Awards | Over 40 industry awards for security, accessibility, fan service, environmental commitment, sales, and box office service |
| Events | Concerts, political conventions, video game competitions, ice skating shows, circuses, community events, private functions |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Scotiabank Arena
The history of the Scotiabank Arena dates back to the acquisition of the Toronto Raptors basketball team in 1994, with construction beginning in 1997 and the arena opening its doors in February 1999. The building retained the Art Deco Queenston limestone façade of the Toronto Postal Delivery Building, which is protected under the Ontario Heritage Act. The arena was previously known as the Air Canada Centre, with Air Canada purchasing the naming rights for US$30 million for 20 years.
In addition to basketball and hockey games, the Scotiabank Arena hosts a variety of events, including ice skating shows, concerts, political conventions, and video game competitions. It has achieved over 40 industry awards and is the most photographed location in Canada on Instagram, according to BuzzFeed. The arena also features restaurants, boutiques, and a large sporting goods store for fans to enjoy.
Who's Joining the UW Men's Basketball Team?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Formerly known as Air Canada Centre
The Scotiabank Arena, home of the Toronto Raptors, was formerly known as the Air Canada Centre (ACC). The arena is located on Bay Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was renamed Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018, following a landmark 20-year sponsorship agreement between Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Scotiabank, worth approximately C$800 million. This deal is believed to be the highest-priced annual building and team sponsorship in North American sports history.
The Air Canada Centre was originally designed as a basketball-specific arena for the Raptors, with construction beginning in March 1997. However, during the construction process, the Toronto Maple Leafs were added as tenants, leading to modifications in the design to make the arena more suitable for hockey. The new owners, Maple Leaf Gardens Limited (MLGL), increased the budget from $217 million to $265 million to accommodate these changes. The Air Canada Centre opened in March 1999, with a capacity of 18,800 seats.
The Air Canada Centre was not the Toronto Raptors' first home arena. During the construction of the ACC, the Raptors played their games in the nearby SkyDome stadium (now known as the Rogers Centre). The SkyDome is a large, multi-purpose stadium that could accommodate basketball games, but the Raptors were not fond of playing there due to its antiquated nature and vast size. They occasionally played at the Maple Leaf Gardens when the SkyDome was unavailable.
The Air Canada Centre underwent a significant renovation in 2008, with a $48 million project to connect the western side of the arena to the Maple Leaf Square development. This renovation included the addition of a new atrium with a high-definition broadcast studio and a large video screen on the outside wall, which often displays games taking place inside the arena. The Maple Leaf Square development includes hotels, restaurants, retail spaces, condominiums, and a public square.
Today, the Scotiabank Arena, previously known as the Air Canada Centre, continues to be a popular venue for sports events and other entertainment activities in Toronto.
Understanding Badminton Clears: Strategies and Techniques
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Home to the Toronto Raptors
The Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as the Air Canada Centre, is home to the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the arena is a short walk from Union Station and is connected to Toronto Union railway station, subway station and bus terminal via the PATH. The Scotiabank Arena is a multi-purpose venue, hosting not only basketball games but also ice hockey matches, concerts, political conventions, circuses, and video game competitions.
The arena was constructed between 1997 and 1999, with the Toronto Raptors playing their first two seasons in the SkyDome (now the Rogers Centre) while construction was ongoing. The building incorporates the Art Deco Queenston limestone façade of the Toronto Postal Delivery Building, which is protected under the Ontario Heritage Act. The Scotiabank Arena has a capacity of 19,800 seats, with accessible seating areas located throughout the building. The venue also features accessible washrooms, food and beverage service counters, and an impressive state-of-the-art BOSE sound system.
The Scotiabank Arena has been recognised with over 40 industry awards, highlighting its security, accessibility, fan service, environmental commitment, sales, and box office service. It has hosted over 39 million fans at more than 2,600 events, including multiple NHL and NBA playoff runs, the 2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey, and the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend. The arena has also been the site of political conventions, such as the 2003 Liberal Party Convention, and various entertainment events, including concerts by artists like Bon Jovi, U2, and Madonna.
In addition to the Toronto Raptors, the Scotiabank Arena is also home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The arena was previously home to the Toronto Phantoms of the Arena Football League (AFL). The venue can accommodate 20,511 fans for basketball games, including standing room, while in hockey configuration, it can facilitate 20,270 fans with standing room. The Scotiabank Arena is a popular destination for sports fans and has become an integral part of Toronto's diverse sports landscape.
Badminton: A Sport for All or Just Girls?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Has a capacity of 19,800 seats
The Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as the Air Canada Centre, is a multi-purpose arena in downtown Toronto, Canada. It is the home of the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and has a capacity of 19,800 seats. The venue is also host to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL), and the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League, who all play occasional games at the arena. The Scotiabank Arena is owned and operated by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE), which also owns the Leafs and the Raptors.
The Scotiabank Arena, or SBA, was renamed in 2018 and has been recognised with more than 40 industry awards highlighting the venue's security, accessibility, fan service, environmental commitment, sales and box office service. The venue has hosted over 39 million fans at over 2,600 events, including multiple NHL and NBA playoff runs, the 2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey, 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend, and the 2000 NHL All-Star Game.
The arena is 61,780.5 square metres (665,000 sq ft) in size and features a state-of-the-art BOSE sound system worth more than $1 million, providing fans with exceptional sound quality. The SBA also has a 17-screen high-definition video scoreboard, measuring 10 feet by 17 feet and made by Mitsubishi Electric. The arena is accessible, with one per cent of fixed seating for those with disabilities and their companions, and all public washrooms are wheelchair accessible.
The Scotiabank Arena is located in the South Core district on Bay Street, close to the CN Tower, the theatre district, restaurants, 15 major hotels, shopping, and two main transportation arteries: the Gardiner Expressway and Union Station, which services the Toronto Transit Commission and GO Transit system. The arena is just a two-minute walk from Union Station, which has a subway system and commuter trains.
Crafting a Basketball Shoe Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Accessible seating for people with disabilities
The Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as the Air Canada Centre, is the home of the Toronto Raptors of the NBA. It is a large, multi-purpose arena with a capacity of 19,800 seats. The venue is well-known for its accessibility features, including accessible seating for people with disabilities.
Accessible seating areas for people with disabilities are strategically located throughout the Scotiabank Arena, offering maximum flexibility and pricing options. The arena provides one per cent of fixed seating for individuals with disabilities and their companions. Accessible seats can be purchased through Ticketmaster, either online or by phone. When navigating the Ticketmaster website, individuals can select the "Show Accessible Seating" filter to view and purchase available accessible seats. Up to four seats can be purchased together to accommodate the individual with accessibility needs, a support person, and/or guests.
At the venue, accessible parking may be available in the underground garage for basketball games or other events. Individuals who require accessible seating but do not have a ticket for one should go to the Fan Services desk located inside Gate 1. The Fan Services team will work with the Ticket Office to find a solution based on availability. Additionally, fans who require the use of an oxygen tank are allowed to bring it into the arena but are requested to notify the Fan Services team to ensure appropriate accommodation.
The Scotiabank Arena is committed to providing an exceptional experience for all fans and has been recognised with numerous industry awards for its accessibility, fan service, and dedication to meeting the needs of all attendees.
SEC Basketball Tournament: Where's the Action This Year?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Scotiabank Arena, home to the Toronto Raptors, has a capacity of 19,800 seats, which can accommodate 20,511 fans, including standing room.
The Scotiabank Arena is located on Bay Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The arena covers an area of 61,780.5 square meters or 665,000 square feet.
In addition to the Toronto Raptors, the Scotiabank Arena is also home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League, who play occasional games there.
