MLSE Unveil Changes to Scotiabank Arena & Plans for Future Renovations

The Toronto Raptors will return to a new-looking Scotiabank Arena following the first part of a $350 million renovation this summer

Changes are underway as Scotiabank Arena continues to undergo a $350 million renovation with changes already in place to the 200-level and parts of the 100-level concourses.

Most of the changes so far have been upgrades to the premium areas with minor aesthetic and convenience changes to the 100-level concourse section. Approximately one-third to a quarter of that $350 million private investment to the area has been spent so far with further changes coming next summer to the 100 level and eventually the 300 levels, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment announced Tuesday.

The renovations will have no impact on whatever changes may be coming to ticket prices this season for either the Toronto Raptors or Toronto Maple Leafs, said Nick Eaves the Chief Venues & Operations Officer of MLSE, and the capacity of the building will remain roughly the same.

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As part of the aesthetic changes, MLSE has commissioned 76 pieces of new artwork from 34 artists that can be found on the 200 level. These spectacular works of art depict and represent moments from Raptors and Maple Leafs history along with concert and entertainment moments from the arena.

Next summer, the lower-level suits will be removed from the arena and replaced with a premium club lounge right beside the entrance tunnel for Raptors and Leafs players. There will be a glass tunnel separating the players from the fans, but fans in the lounge will be able to watch as the players come onto the court and ice next year.

Further changes will be coming to concession stands that have been added in conjunction with Amazon AWS that use sensors to track what people are purchasing. These concessions will allow for an easier and quicker purchasing experience, MLSE said.

Following changes to the arena next summer, there are plans to make further renovations to the 300-level concourse and eventually the bowl seating, Eaves said. No timeline for these changes has been given thus far but those changes will occur over the subsequent summers.

“In a later phase, we’re looking at replacing all those in-bowl seats. Obviously with a next-generation arena seat,” Eaves added. “Obviously we need to replace those seats and that will be part of it.”

The main scoreboard will eventually be renovated along with new technology in the bowl to replace the LED ribbons that surround the bowl will be changed following the 2024 summer. 

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