It’s now confirmed that the Toronto PWHL team will host their home games this season at the Coca-Cola Coliseum located at Exhibition Place, with tickets going on sale this Thursday!
For long-time fans, this is fantastic news. Their first season at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in the historic Maple Leaf Gardens was incredible, offering nearly everything except a championship. However, one drawback was the limited seating, as Mattamy accommodates only 2,600 spectators, leading to sold-out games within minutes.
In contrast, the Coliseum, which is also home to the Toronto Marlies, has a capacity of 8,140. This means that over three times as many tickets will be available for each game compared to last year, which is beneficial for both the team and its supporters.
However, there are some considerations to keep in mind.
The transition will result in some scheduling peculiarities, primarily because the arena will also be used for the Royal Winter Fair (an event that the city commissioned it for in 1920). This will force both teams to embark on lengthy road trips in November.
Additionally, those who attended Toronto’s playoff games at the Coliseum at the end of last season may have noticed some quirks, such as awkward crowding in the concourses at the beginning and end of each period when players navigate through public areas to access their dressing rooms.
And, of course, food and beverages will be pricier than what was offered at Mattamy.
But that’s all minor detail.
There’s an additional aspect to consider. In a podcast interview I had with superfan Connie Hamers—who leads “Emma Nation” and created signs, trading cards, and other unofficial merchandise to distribute for free at each game last season—she expressed her hope for the team to remain at Mattamy, despite the clear potential for success in a larger venue. Her reasoning was that the smaller arena cultivated a sense of community among fans. Not only did everyone have a clear view of the ice, but they could also see and hear one another, fostering connections. Additionally, before and after games, fans often had the chance to meet players who would come out to say hello.
As a longtime season ticket holder, I can confirm that this intimate atmosphere is truly special. You’re watching professional hockey, but it never feels overwhelming. It resembles a large family gathering rather than a typical crowded event.
This sentiment might come across as a bit hipster. Just like if you loved a restaurant before it gained popularity and became overcrowded, or if you were a fan of a band before they hit the mainstream, it can feel disappointing to share your passion with a larger audience.
Fixating on such complaints—especially without appreciating the significant advantages that change brings to both the thing you cherish and the wider community that can now enjoy it too—is akin to the mindset of those who resist increased and improved access to the Toronto Islands, believing that the absence of crowds is what makes it unique. They value exclusivity, treating a public asset like an exclusive club.
Personally, I view the PWHL Toronto team as a public treasure. I eagerly anticipate the chance for more people to witness the on-ice brilliance of Natalie Spooner, Emma Maltais, Renata Fast, and their teammates live.
It’s possible to look forward to this while also recognizing the associated trade-offs. The hipsters who grumble when their favorite band gains popularity might be mostly elitist, but the other 10 percent could be genuinely mourning a real loss. If you saw Nirvana perform at Lee’s Palace in 1990, you would experience a close connection with the small crowd and with Kurt Cobain himself—making eye contact while avoiding the glass from the beer bottles he smashed. Conversely, seeing them at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1993 may fill you with happiness for their success, while you could rightfully mourn the lack of that personal connection in an arena packed with thousands. You could cherish those early performances as a unique experience while also feeling nostalgic for them.
Watching the inaugural season of the PWHL at the cozy Mattamy Centre was indeed a special experience. The team is now moving toward a larger and more promising future, growing a broader community of devoted fans. That is worth celebrating. Yet for those of us who were there from the outset, we can always treasure the joy we found in those more modest beginnings.
