Downtown Edmonton’s Rogers Place arena celebrating 10-year anniversary
Posted September 10, 2026 3:56 pm.
It is the 10-year anniversary of Rogers Place opening in downtown Edmonton.
Both the Edmonton Oilers and the city took time to celebrate how the arena has transformed the area. They marked the occasion Thursday in the Ice District Plaza.
“There’s things you can nitpick at, at the sides, but after 10 years, this arena holds up, again, to any arena in the National Hockey League or pro sports,” said Tim Shipton, executive vice-president of Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG).
The OEG tells CityNews if it had to do it all over again, there isn’t much it would change about the last decade of being in downtown Edmonton.
Shipton says the next phase of development will be north of the arena with fan park development, as well as 3,000 residential units. He explains there are still issues that need to be solved.
“We know that safety and security are paramount issues, very complicated issues for the city. Not easy to solve by one partner; it’s going to take a real community effort.”
Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack has been in city politics before and after Rogers Place opened. He tells CityNews more people in the city’s core is the key to pushing downtown vibrancy and safety.
“Because the more people we have living downtown 24/7, including the Ice District, helps provide vibrancy across the entirety of downtown, which adds to the success of local business. More eyes on the street, increased safety,” said Knack.
The mayor says the only thing he would have done differently with Rogers Place: “more residential.”
“And it’s what I really want to focus on now,” he said.
Edmontonians and visitors to the city shared what Rogers Place means to them.
“The beautification, the entertainment, the fun, the family,” said Aline. “We come here quite often for Ice District events, for my kids. We go to concerts quite regularly. My kids love going to the Oil Kings games.”
“I remember when it was getting built,” reflected Jayce. “I actually know a guy who’s a sheet metal worker, and he helped build Rogers Place.”
“Beautiful stadium,” said Luca, a tourist from Germany. “I walked here and there was like nothing, and then a beautiful stadium, so big. I really want to go in there and watch hockey play.”
The OEG says it has a number of festivities planned in the Ice District ahead of the Oilers’ season home opener on Sept. 29.
–With files from Darcy Ropchan
