Ontario’s London City Council has greenlit the name change for the city’s downtown arena (rendered above) – from Budweiser Gardens to Canada Life Place – effective October 11.
The rebranding, which will coincide with a significant renovation effort, will mark the beginning of a 10-year agreement between insurer Canada Life and property manager Oak View Group (OVG).
Fabrice Morin, president and chief operating officer of Canada Life, emphasized the significance of the tie-up for both the company and the city.
“Canada Life Place is more than a name – it signals our commitment to this community, to our shared growth, and shared success,” Morin said. “For 150 years, London has been our home, and we’re proud of our roots.
“This new arena agreement means a lot to our team, including the 3,500 Canada Life employees who call London home.”
The sports and entertainment venue, with a capacity of 10,000, has hosted more than 2,800 events since it opened on October 11, 2002, welcoming over 13 million visitors. It was originally called the John Labatt Centre before it was renamed Budweiser Gardens a decade later.
As home to both the London Knights and London Lightning, the arena has been the site of major events like the 2005 and 2014 Memorial Cups, the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships, and the 2019 JUNO Awards.
“Canada Life Place will remain the heart of unforgettable experiences for sports, entertainment, and community events,” stated OVG general manager Kelly Austin.
“We are thrilled about this partnership with Canada Life, a trusted community partner in London. Together, we will continue to bring world-class entertainment and sporting events to Southwestern Ontario.”
London Mayor Josh Morgan also commented on the renaming, noting the importance of the venue in the city’s history.
“The arena has been central to London's cultural and sporting life for over two decades,” he highlighted. “This rebranding to Canada Life Place reinforces the arena’s landmark role in bringing people together and driving London’s economic growth. I'm excited to see what this new chapter will bring.”
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