Canada Life Centre - Winnipeg Jets

Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29

Canada Life Centre 300 Portage Ave Winnipeg, MB R3C 5S4

Winnipeg Jets website

Canada Life Centre website

Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 15,294

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Jets Losing Altitude

The Winnipeg Jets went from the pinnacle of the NHL to the middle of the pack after winning the President’s Trophy (awarded to the team with the most regular-season points) in 2025. Last season, the Jets went a stellar 30-11 at the friendly confines of Canada Life Centre. This year, they are 19-20 with two home games remaining as of this article.

While the decline took a bit of a bite out of the enthusiasm at Canada Life Centre, opened in 2004, the Jets still manage to play to about 90% percent of capacity due to the fervent hockey culture of Canada. The building is the smallest arena in the league, with a seating capacity of 15,294, but its size can make for a loud building when the Jets ignite. The arena is also home to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

The Jets, who play in the Central Division, have had a strange existence as the franchise joined the NHL when they were absorbed by the World Hockey Association in 1979. In 1996, the team almost moved to Minnesota but eventually wound up in Phoenix as the Arizona Coyotes. In 2009, the bankrupt Coyotes were close to moving to Winnipeg, but the Coyotes stayed, and Winnipeg’s patience was rewarded in 2011 as the Atlanta Thrashers were sold and moved to Winnipeg. The arena is owned and operated by the owner of the Jets, True North Sports & Entertainment.

Food & Beverage 3

The Canada Life Centre offers a wide variety of food options, but more of the standard fare and less elevated cuisine. For your standard arena choices, you can head to Jumbo Jet Dog for the Jumbo Jet $19 (12-inch, all-beef hot dog, typically topped with caramelized onions, nacho cheese, chili, bacon bits, and perogies). The hot dog is the biggest and is often referred to as the best in the NHL. For a less ambitious stomach, a half dog is available.

Chef’s Kitchen has a Poutine Bar with Classic ($13 CAD), Tex Mex, Pulled Pork, Butter Chicken, and Philly Cheesesteak. There is also KFC with a Big Crunch Chicken Sandwich with fries ($19), Zinger Sandwich, Chicken Fingers, Popcorn Chicken, and Seasoned Fries. YWG Burgers is another popular spot. There are plenty of bars with the cheapest option coming in at $12.44 for a 17 oz. Bud or Bud Light. CLC is a Pepsi product venue.

As you would expect anywhere in Canada, Tim Hortons is onsite with their great coffee and delicious Timbits.

Atmosphere 3

The arena does a good job with the aviator theme of steel and blue seen around the stadium.

Winnipeg has one of the smaller scoreboards in the league, but it is still clear. It does not show the names of the players on ice during live action.

The crowd enthusiastically sings O Canada and belts out the words “True North!” during the anthem as a tribute to the company that brought hockey back to Winnipeg. Being at five other Canadian venues was surprised the fans did not pass a huge Canadian flag through the crowd during the anthem.

The Jets employ two mascots. Mick E. Moose (who is also in attendance for Manitoba Moose games) and Benny, who dates back to the first iteration of the Jets. The team also has a band play pre-game and during the intermissions.

CLC uses a blend of organ music and popular music. The scoreboard is not one of the bigger ones in the NHL, but it is still clear. The screen is a bit smaller than most, and the Jumbotron does not show which players are on the ice during live play.

The Team Shop is located inside the building in the main lobby at Gate 1 across from Section 122/222 and is open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, and weekends on game days.

Neighborhood 4

The arena is in the heart of the downtown district, which leaves it close to several bars, hotels, and restaurants.

Cityplace is probably the best spot to gather pre- and post-game. The mall includes shopping, dining, and entertainment. The offerings include Mexican food, Vietnamese food, and the Shark Club sports bar and grill. The restaurant includes a gaming centre with blackjack, slot machines, and other games offered. There are also fast-food eateries in the complex. The Alt Hotel, Radisson, Delta, and Hampton Inn are all a short walk from CLC.

Browns Socialhouse on Portage is right across from the arena and is packed before and after games or events. It has an abundant menu, plenty of choices for drinks, beer, and wine, and of course a huge screen to watch all the NHL action.

One of the biggest tourist attractions, The Forks, is about a 15-minute walk (which could be a bit much during Winnipeg’s harsh winters). The Forks is highlighted by a significant food market, the Children’s Museum, and the renowned Canadian Museum of Human Rights.

Winnipeg, Manitoba, has the coldest winter weather of any major Canadian city. It ranks first for the lowest average temperatures. Winnipeg is also Canada's city that most often drops to -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit) or below, and it is the least likely to have a day above freezing during winter.

Fans 4

Despite a less impressive season, fans did turn out to support their team as attendance was 14,177 (with 2 home games remaining) compared to 14,366. That total left the Jets only about 1,000 short of capacity.

When the weather permits, fans gather at True North Square, which features a bronze statue of NHL Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk, who passed away in 2020. The square has a large screen for viewing parties that are packed during playoff time. Towering office buildings and living space envelope the square.

The fans were fairly calm during this visit. Go Jets Go! Is the main rally cry. The mascot tries to energize the fans who are knowledgeable and well-attired in Jets gear.

Access 3

The doors open one hour before game time. The main entrance to the building is at the corner of Portage Avenue and Donald Street.

Last season, Canada Life Centre announced its adoption of Evolv AI screening to speed entry into the arena. Spectators do not have to take anything out of their pockets unless something is detected and then they must remove everything and go through a second security check.

There are over 13,000 parking spaces in surface lots and parking structures within a 10-minute walk of the arena, with prices ranging from $14 to $29.

The city has designated taxi/ride share areas on the Eastbound side of Portage Avenue between Carlton and Hargrave and on Donald Street between Graham and St. Mary Avenue.

Return on Investment 3

According to the Fan Cost Index for the 2024-2025 season, the Winning Jets were ranked 20th (below the league average) at $694.18. The index measures the total cost for a family of four to attend a professional sports game, including four average-priced tickets, parking, two small beers, four small soft drinks, four hot dogs, and two adult-size caps.

Tickets for just over $50 can be found in the upper bowl for weeknight games. Behind the net in the 100s will run between $200 to $250.

Extras 3

The team has no championship banners, but several jerseys honoring retired players hang from the rafters. They include Bobby Hull, Lars-Eric Sjoberg, Ab McDonald, Ulf Nilsson, Anders Hedberg, Dale Hawerchuk, Randy Carlyle, and Thomas Steen. The team does not retire numbers, but the original Jets retired #9 (Bobby Hull) and #25 (Thomas Steen).

Give the Jets another point for being different, as the team uses personalized goal songs for its players. This started in the 2022-23 season, where the goal horn is followed by the team's main anthem, “Gonna Celebrate" by The Phantoms, followed immediately by a unique song chosen by the goal scorer.

The team honors and celebrates Indigenous peoples, particularly through their partnership with the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre (WASAC). The organization hosts an annual WASAC night, features Indigenous-designed logos on special jerseys, and includes territorial acknowledgements at every home game.

Final Thoughts

The Canada Life Centre is a solid venue to watch a hockey game. The arena is quaint, and the fans and staff are friendly. If Winnipeg can get back to the playoffs, the building will be rocking again.

Follow Greg Venuto’s stadium journeys on Twitter @VenutoGreg and Facebook.