The Winnipeg Jets NHL team has detailed a series of upgrades at Canada Life Centre, while American Airlines Center, home of the NHL’s Dallas Stars and NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, has undergone renovation work ahead of the new season.
True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Jets, has unveiled C$13m (£7.9m/€9.1m/$9.6m) in renovations and introduced an expanded selection of food and beverage offerings at Canada Life Centre.
The north concourse has been extended out to the Portage Avenue sidewalk, increasing circulation space and creating a cohesive flow for fans. New concession concepts include Burrito 204, Hot or Not Chicken, YWG Burger and the Crown Royal Whisky Hangar.
Canada Life Centre has also renewed a partnership with Labatt Breweries and welcomed local craft breweries for the 2023-24 NHL season. Craft Beer Corner will feature products from local breweries such as Trans Canada, Kilter and Little Brown Jug. The arena has also teamed up with Andrew Peller Limited to expand its wine offering, with 20 new listings in premium spaces.
Three suites at Canada Life Centre have also been transformed, with the reimagined PlayNow Lounge (pictured) presenting a “new and modernised’ way for fans to enjoy the action. Fans will be able to sample a total of 88 luxurious theatre-style seats, private bar, in-seat service and inclusive food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Further renovations include the remodelled Ticketmaster Lounge, providing exclusive access for premium members and ticketholders with an expanded private bar, enhanced food and beverage options, and in-seat service.
Construction and final finishings will continue in some spaces throughout pre-season, with full access and programming scheduled to be in place for the home opener on October 14. A full venue-wide Wi-Fi upgrade will also be carried out.
Meanwhile, $20m worth of upgrades have been announced for American Airlines Center, with renovation work including a new video scoreboard.
The scoreboard measures 44 feet long, 31 feet wide and 26 feet high, with arena general manager Dave Brown stating that it will be “one of the main selling points” of the venue.
The seats at the arena have also been replaced for the first time since it opened 22 years ago. The new seats cost $6.5m, with the scoreboard costing $10m. The remaining $3.5m was put towards the exterior of the building in the form of a new roof.
Cynt Marshall, chief executive of the Mavericks, said: “We are celebrating $20m of investment that we have made in the American Airlines Center. It’s already one of the top five venues in the country. This is going to make it even higher than that.
“We have this video scoreboard that is bigger than life. It is crazy. I think it’s the only one in the NBA configured the way it is, where it’s contiguous, you can see it all. There’s an underbelly where it has 10-foot screens underneath it. It is absolutely incredible. Our fans are going to love this. It’s an up-close and personal experience. But I think our players will love it as well. I think the referees will love it. There are so many enhancements to the videoboard.”
