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HISTORY:

MTS Centre got its marquee tenant when the Winnipeg Jets return to Manitoba. The Atlanta Thrashers franchise was relocated to Winnipeg in June 2011. The American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose played at MTS Centre from 2004 until moving to Atlantic Canada after the Thrashers were sold to True North. The arena, built for $133 million Canadian, was originally known as the True North Centre during planning and construction before Manitoba Telecom Services purchased naming rights. MTS Centre is located on the former site of Eaton's department store, a Canadian institution that went bankrupt in 1999. After much controversy about preserving the building, it was demolished in 2002 and the MTS Centre opened in November 2004. An Eaton's historical area is located on the Skywalk level of the arena. The design of MTS Centre features red brick exterior and reminds many of famed old hockey buildings, such as the Montreal Forum. With a capacity of 15,015, the arena is the smallest in the NHL. But fans showed their overwhelming enthusiasm for the return of NHL hockey by buying 13,000 season tickets in less than 20 minutes of going on sale. The old Winnipeg Jets played at demolished Winnipeg Arena from 1972 to 1996, before financial troubles forced them to relocate to Phoenix for the 1996-97 season. The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame is located on the main level of the MTS Centre, and the museum houses several plaques of players, coaches and builders. The Centre also hosts several concerts and other athletic and civic events. Plans for a $75 million development that will be composed of a hotel and office and retail space across from the MTS Centre also are in the works.

SEATING NOTES:

• StubHub! will be providing seating information.

Address:

300 Portage Ave.
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 5S5

Directions:

For directions to MTS Centre, consult the website. From Winnipeg International Airport: Travel East on Wellington Avenue. Turn right onto King Edward (Route 90 South). Turn left onto Ellice Avenue. Turn right onto Donald Street and travel one block South. The MTS Centre's main entrance is on the corner of Donald Street and Portage Avenue. From the west (Trans Canada Highway 1): Trans Canada Highway 1 East becomes Portage Avenue (Route 85 East). Continue East on Portage Avenue into Downtown Winnipeg. The MTS Centre is located on Portage Avenue between Hargrave Street and Donald Street. From the south (Highway 75 and U.S. Border): Highway 75 becomes Pembina Highway (Route 42 North). Continue North on Pembina Highway upon entering city limits. Pembina Highway turns into Donald Street and then Smith Street as you cross the Donald Street Bridge and enter the downtown area. Turn left onto Portage Avenue and travel one block West. The MTS Centre's main entrance is on the corner of Donald Street and Portage Avenue. From the east (Trans Canada Highway 1): Trans Canada Highway 1 West becomes Fermor Avenue (Route 135 West). Fermor turns into Dunkirk Drive (Route 62 North). Continue North on Route 62 North which turns into Osborne Street and then Memorial Boulevard. Turn right onto Portage Avenue and travel five blocks East. The MTS Centre is located on Portage Avenue between Hargrave Street and Donald Street. From the north (Perimeter Highway): From the Perimeter Hwy East turn South on Main Street (Route 52 South). Continue South on Main Street into Downtown Winnipeg. Turn right onto Portage Avenue and travel four blocks West. The MTS Centre is located on Portage Avenue between Donald Street and Hargrave Street.

Parking:

For a detailed parking map to MTS Centre, consult the website.

Transportation:

Winnipeg Transit provides bus service to MTS Centre. For more information, consult the MTS Centre website or the Winnipeg Transit website.