Esso Arena to build Calgary community

Article posted by Coliseum, February 16^th, 2026

Image: Calgary Flames

The National Hockey League (NHL) team Calgary Flames and the energy company Imperial recently announced a partnership in support of the Esso Community Arena, a 1,000-seat indoor community rink located at Scotia Place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, scheduled to open in 2027. As Calgary’s only downtown indoor community rink the Esso Community Arena will be an integral component of the Scotia Place development and the surrounding district.

‘nhl.com’ stated that the Esso Community Arena will support both professional and community hockey. Designed to prioritize community access the multiuse facility will support new and existing Flames Foundation programs as well as the broader Calgary community. The arena will also be utilized as a practice facility for the Calgary Flames, the Canadian junior ice hockey team Calgary Hitmen and the professional ice hockey team Calgary Wranglers.

The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary (Canada). The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference.

The 19,289-capacity Scotiabank Saddledome is a multipurpose indoor arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It serves as the home of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL).

After more than a century Calgary (Canada)-based Imperial continues to be an industry leader in applying technology and innovation to responsibly develop Canada’s energy resources. As Canada’s largest petroleum refiner, a major producer of crude oil, a key petrochemical producer, and a leading fuels marketer from coast to coast the company remains committed to high standards across all areas of its business.

The Scotia Place is a multipurpose arena under construction in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is intended to replace the Scotiabank Saddledome, home of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League. Construction began following the groundbreaking on July 22^nd, 2024. The new arena is planned to open prior to the start of the 2027-2028 NHL seasons.

New York (US)-based the National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams, 25 in the United States and seven (7) in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and is considered the premier professional ice hockey league in the world.

Pointed out John Whelan, Imperial’s Chairman, President and CEO, “The Esso Community Arena will be an exciting new venue supporting Calgary’s ever-growing hockey community. Whether its kids lacing up for the first time or teams chasing a championship this rink represents opportunity, resilience and community. This is an exciting new chapter in Esso’s long history of support for Canada’s game which is nearing a century of our association with hockey. Calgary is a hockey City and we’re proud to be on the ice with it.”

‘nhl.com’ further stated that Esso has been a major partner in Canadian hockey for 90 years supporting grassroots participation and community-based programs across Canada and is proud to be the official fuel of Hockey Canada, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), the NHL, and all seven Canadian NHL teams. From pond to podium, Esso is dedicated to Canada’s game. Through this partnership with the Calgary Flames Esso extends its legacy of supporting the game at all levels and investing in infrastructure that strengthens access to hockey in Calgary. The term of the deal will see Esso’s association with hockey expand over a century.

Esso is a major brand of gasoline stations and fuel products in Canada owned and operated by the Imperial Oil Limited. It serves as a nationwide retail network offering fuel, convenience stores and car washes and it is closely associated with hockey in Canada.

Calgary (Canada)-based Hockey Canada (which merged with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association in 1994) is the national governing body of ice hockey and ice sledge hockey in Canada. It controls the majority of organized ice hockey in Canada.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) comprises eight ice hockey teams, four each from the United States and Canada.

Remarked Robert Hayes, President-cum-CEO, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, “This partnership reflects our shared belief that the community arenas are where the future of the game is built. The Esso Community Arena will be a place where the families come together, the young athletes discover their love for hockey and lifelong memories are made. As a former minor hockey coach myself I can’t imagine a better partner for this exciting new facility than Esso, a longstanding and committed supporter of grassroots hockey in Calgary and right across Canada.”

The Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) is a professional sports and entertainment company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The Esso Community Arena will serve as a place where the players, families and fans can come together reinforcing the role hockey plays in building community across Calgary.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

Watch 500+ member-exclusive videos with valuable tips for your venue