Hamilton’s arena, which originally opened in 1985 as Copps Coliseum and was then renamed the FirstOntario Centre in 2014, will now be called TD Coliseum after a new sponsorship was announced.
Oak View Group (OVG), the organization overseeing the arena’s $280 million venue renovation plan, announced a multi-year naming rights sponsorship with TD Bank Group (TD) at the end of June.
The new name took effect immediately.
Details were not provided as to how long the agreement lasts or how much TD paid for the naming rights.
TD Coliseum is scheduled to open in late 2025, with singer Paul McCartney performing as the grand opening of the arena on Nov. 21. Tickets go on sale to the public on July 18 at 10 a.m.
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is slotted to perform at the venue on Dec. 9, and country singer Brad Paisley is set for Dec. 12.
TD Coliseum in Hamilton is not the only major entertainment venue that has a naming rights agreement with TD.
TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts is the home of the Boston Bruins (NHL) and Boston Celtics (NBA), TD Place Stadium in Ottawa is the home of the Ottawa Redblacks (CFL) and Atlético Ottawa (CPL), and TD Place Arena in Ottawa is the home of the Ottawa 67’s (OHL) and Ottawa Charge (PWHL).
OVG is aiming for TD Coliseum in Hamilton to “become the new centrepiece for concerts, sporting events, family entertainment, trade shows, and community events in the Golden Horseshoe.”
As reported by The Hamilton Spectator, OVG President Tom Pistore also says that an American Hockey League (AHL) franchise will play at the newly renovated arena.
The AHL is the primary development league of the National Hockey League (NHL), and each NHL team has a corresponding affiliate.
That means that some of the top NHL prospects could soon be playing in Hamilton once again.
The Hamilton Bulldogs were a part of the AHL from 1996 to 2015, but were then moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) were then moved to Hamilton and became the Bulldogs, but that team has now officially left for Brantford.
Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of OVG, says that the sponsorship “goes far beyond naming rights.”
“It reflects a shared commitment to delivering world-class experiences and making a lasting impact where it matters most: in the heart of the communities we serve.”
“This milestone represents more than a financial investment — it’s a powerful affirmation of Hamilton’s growth, vibrancy, and bright future,” he continued.
Raymond Chun, Group President and CEO of TD Bank Group, added, “We are proud to take part in the revitalization of this iconic landmark. By securing the naming rights to TD Coliseum, we are not just investing in bricks and mortar – we’re investing in the heart of the Hamilton community.”
TD Coliseum will be an 18,000-seat venue with a reimagined facade, premium seating, enhanced acoustics, improved sightlines, self-serve technologies, and upgraded concourses and concession areas.
Live Nation, one of the world’s largest entertainment companies, is a partner in the development and will be bringing major national and international acts to the venue.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
