Everything you need to know about the Pacific Coliseum, including contact information, how to get there and the significant games, concerts and events it has hosted.
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The original home of both the WHL’s Vancouver Canucks from 1968 to 1970 and the NHL franchise from 1970 to 1995, the venue has been a fixture for local sports and entertainment events throughout the decades. From historic concerts to Stanley Cup Finals and Olympic medal events, the arena continues to be key to the city’s arts and cultural environment.
Here are a few things to know about the Coliseum:
Where is the Coliseum located?
The Pacific Coliseum is located at 100 North Renfrew St. It’s the largest building on the Hastings Park site.
What is the Coliseum contact information?
Where can I find upcoming Coliseum events?
What is the capacity of the Coliseum?
According to the PNE website, the Vancouver venue has 15,713 permanent seats and a total capacity of 17,500.
What is the best way to get to/from the Coliseum?
Past venue highlights and memorable moments at the Coliseum include an infamous Rolling Stones concert riot, Olympic gold-medal events, Cup Finals and more:
Jimi Hendrix Experience concert
When: Sept. 7, 1968
The legendary rock guitarist, who had a long history of visiting relatives in Vancouver growing up, performed with his band the Experience to adoring rock fans. Heavy metal progenitors Vanilla Fudge, U.K. jazz rockers the Soft Machine and local act the Eire Apparent opened. Tickets started at $2.50.
Canucks first game
When: Oct. 9, 1970
The first Canucks game as an NHL franchise took place against the Los Angeles Kings on a rainy night in October 1970. The Kings beat the new franchise 3-1. The Cup was on display as part of the event, and included the names of the Vancouver Millionaires who won the trophy in 1915.
Muhammad Ali versus George Chuvalo
When: May 1, 1972
No less a titan of boxing than Muhammad Ali took on Canadian heavyweight champion George Chuvalo for a second time at this NABF heavyweight championship bout. Ali won the fight by unanimous decision, but was unable to drop Chuvalo who held out for 12 rounds delivering his fair share of shots through the match. Ali said Chuvalo was one of the toughest competitors he had ever faced.
Rolling Stones concert riot
When: June 3, 1972
The Rolling Stones American Tour 1972, also referred to as the Stones Touring Party, is considered to be one of the first true arena rock tours of the day. The band’s first performance since the disastrous Altamont Free Concert in 1969 was in support of the Exile on Main St. album, which is now considered one of the band’s best. When 2,000 fans tried to crash the gates, 31 Vancouver police officers were treated for injuries sustained in the riot.
1982 Stanley Cup Final (Games 3 and 4)
When: May 6-16
The Campbell Conference-champion Canucks were swept by the Wales Conference-champ New York Islanders. This win made the Isles the first, and only, U.S.-based team to three-peat Cup wins. The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens have also achieved this feat.
David Bowie Serious Moonlight Tour Concert Video
When: Sept. 11-12, 1983
Bowie had already brought his massive Serious Moonlight Tour to B.C. Place on Aug. 9 but returned in September to play two shows that were recorded for a live concert video. There were discussions to release the performance as a live album as well, but these were abandoned as live album sales weren’t as popular as they had been. The video opens with a panoramic shot of the Vancouver waterfront that will leave many today wondering which small town is being filmed.
Vancouver Voodoo
When: 1993-95
After the Canucks moved team operations to the new GM Place, the Vancouver Voodoo inline hockey team of the Roller Hockey International league was one the franchises that used the Pacific Coliseum over the years. The team was co-founded by former Canucks player Tiger Williams and folded in 1996. The distinctive mascot mask hasn’t dated well.
1994 Stanley Cup Final (Games 3, 4, 6)
When: May 31 to June 14
The Canucks and the New York Rangers faced off in a hard-fought playoff series that saw Vancouver go the full seven games before the Rangers won the deciding contest, 3-2. It was the last Cup Final game to be played in Canada until 2004.
2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics
When: Feb. 12 to 28
The Coliseum hosted the figure skating and short-track speedskating events at the 2010 Winter Olympics. These fan-favourite competitions packed the venue with spectators eager to see gold-medal performances.
Pacific National Exhibition
When: August to Labour Day, since 1910
You can’t mention the Coliseum without bringing up the PNE as the 15-day-long summer fair uses the venue for such fan-favourite events as the SuperDogs and the Summer Nights Concert Series.
