 Air
Canada Centre
Toronto, ON
Like the Toronto
Blue Jays (MLB), the Toronto Raptors are the only NBA franchise in
Canada. The City of Toronto is the only city in Canada that has
been able to maintain support of professional sports franchises other
than hockey as the Vancouver Grizzlies moved to Memphis and the Montreal
Expos (MLB) moved to Washington, DC since 2000. The Raptors were
an expansion franchise that began playing in 1995 at the SkyDome
(now known as the Rogers Centre). Built as a multipurpose stadium for
football and baseball, the SkyDome was too large for basketball games. Construction of a new arena
for the Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) began in February 1997.
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 Located in
downtown Toronto along Bay Street, the Raptors played their first game at
the Air Canada Center
on February 21, 1999 against the
Vancouver Grizzlies. Air Canada paid $40 million over 20 years for the
naming rights to the Raptors home. The arena is unique as it was built on
the site of the Canada Post
Delivery Building
and has incorporated part of the original building into the façade on the
east and south parts of the Air Canada Center.
Many fans enter through this area, known as the Galleria, where the
fan zone and merchandise areas can be found. The Air Canada Center
has a seating capacity of just under 20,000. It has many modern amenities
including 1,020 club seats, 150 suites, the Molson microbrewery, the Air
Canada Club and the Hot Stove Restaurant.
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PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO TORONTO AND THE AIR CANADA CENTER |
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AIR CANADA CENTRE POSTERS |
Air Canada Centre -
Toronto Raptors Signature Court Poster |
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matt
angle |
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