The NHL's Future is Bright: Commissioner Gary Bettman's Enthusiasm for Calgary's New Arena
The NHL's Future is Bright: Commissioner Gary Bettman's Enthusiasm for Calgary's New Arena
The NHL's Commissioner Gary Bettman is in town to witness the progress of Calgary's new $1.2 billion event center, and he's impressed. After a tour of the construction site, he shared his excitement about the team's new arena, Scotia Place, which is set to open in the fall of 2027. But here's where it gets controversial...
"The building, by the way, is a lot further along than it looks, because you see the steel coming out of the ground, it doesn’t go all the way around," the Commissioner said. "There’s interior work already going on below the ground that you don’t see."
The Commissioner was also impressed with the amount of research and planning that went into the design of the new arena. "They’ve taken that into account and they’ve been able to look at best practices in terms of the layout," he said. "The new arena’s twice as large in square footage (as the Saddledome). It has more bathrooms. It has more amenities. It’s just going to be incredible."
And this is the part most people miss... The new arena is not just a place for hockey games; it's a destination for tourists and fans alike. "Millions of tourists come through here a year," the Commissioner noted. "This is a place that knows hospitality. This is a place that has a rabid fan base and would attract fans from other places."
But is the new arena too big? Some might argue that it's overkill for a single sports team. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The Commissioner also confirmed that Calgary and Edmonton have made a joint bid to host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. Although a decision hasn’t been made, the Commissioner was impressed with the bid. "I’m aware of the bid," he said. "Bids are being evaluated. Nothing has been finalized, but it was a good bid."
So, will Scotia Place host World Cup games in 2028? Commissioner Bettman thinks so. "I get Calgary and I get what a terrific city it is and a great place to visit," he said. "Should Scotia Place host World Cup games in 2028, Calgary would undoubtedly do a great job as a host city."
Stay tuned for more updates on the NHL's future in Calgary.
