Why Quebec City built a massive, hockey-first arena without a home NHL team
In short: Centre Vidéotron is a 18,259-seat architectural marvel designed to bring fans as close to the ice as possible. While it lacks a permanent NHL tenant, the venue has become a cultural powerhouse, hosting everything from record-breaking hockey games to international concert tours and even professional basketball.
Opened on September 8, 2015, Centre Vidéotron replaced the aging Colisée Pepsi as Quebec City’s premier indoor venue. The project was a significant undertaking, with construction beginning in September 2012 following a ceremony attended by figures including Jean Charest and Pierre Karl Péladeau. The final cost reached $370 million, coming in under the initial $400 million projection, with the city and province splitting half the expenses. The management rights were secured by Québecor in a deal that included legal immunity from the provincial government, a move that bypassed public tender.
The arena’s design, led by architect Kurt Amundsen of Populous, prioritizes a 'hockey-first' experience. Amundsen aimed to satisfy Canadian fans by creating a bowl that is exceptionally steep and tight, giving spectators the sensation of hovering directly over the ice. This design is so aggressive that safety rails were required at every row to meet building codes. The facility occupies roughly 64,000 square metres and includes a television studio valued at up to C$40 million, reflecting its role as a versatile media and event hub.
Beyond its primary function as the home of the Quebec Remparts, the arena has hosted a diverse array of events. It set a QMJHL attendance record of 18,259 during its first Remparts game in 2015. The venue has also become a major stop for global music icons, with Celine Dion holding the record for the most performances at eight shows. In recent years, the arena has expanded its scope to include professional wrestling, PWHL hockey, and in October 2026, its first NBA pre-season game. Despite the absence of an NHL franchise, the arena remains a central pillar of Quebec City’s entertainment landscape.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Centre Vidéotron
- Also: Wikidata — Centre Vidéotron · CC0
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