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TORONTO
ON · 1931
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MAPLE LEAF GARDENS

Toronto, Ontario

ArenaDistrict · Church and Carlton / Downtown Toronto

Maple Leaf Gardens is a historic indoor arena in Toronto, ON known for toronto's historic hockey cathedral and former maple leafs home.

Capacity
15,726
Hockey capacity at closing in 1999
Opened
1931
Closed 1999
Roof
Indoor
Ice
Owner
Loblaw Companies (current building)
Arch: Ross & Macdonald

Right Now

Live & Upcoming Events

Ticketed event data provided by Ticketmaster. Availability and pricing may change.

The Building

Overview

Maple Leaf Gardens is one of Canada's most important historic arenas. Opened in 1931, it served as the Toronto Maple Leafs' home until the team moved to Scotiabank Arena in 1999. Today the building has been repurposed, but its hockey, boxing, concert and cultural history make it a must-have evergreen profile for Stadiums.ca.

Built in just 6 months during the Great Depression in 1931 by Conn Smythe, Maple Leaf Gardens was the cathedral of Canadian hockey for 68 years. The Leafs won 11 Stanley Cups here, and an unbroken stream of NHL playoff games, championship boxing matches, Beatles concerts, and historic moments unfolded under its iconic curved roof.

Saved from demolition, the building reopened in 2012 as the Mattamy Athletic Centre — home of the Toronto Metropolitan University Bold and a Loblaws grocery store on the original arena floor. The upper bowl seats and original ice surface centre dot are preserved.

By the Numbers

Capacity Breakdown

15,726 historic hockey listing

  • Hockey15,726

Historic capacity; building no longer operates as an NHL arena.

What This Profile Covers

On This Stadium

  • 1931 construction
  • Maple Leafs dynasty years
  • Concert and civic history
  • Move to Air Canada Centre
  • Repurposing and modern legacy

Source-Backed

Verified Facts

  • Built/opened in 1931 and recognized by Parks Canada as Canada’s cathedral of hockey.
  • Home of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1931 to 1999.
  • Now operates as a mixed retail/university athletic facility rather than a major NHL arena.

Through the Years

History & Timeline

  1. 1931Opens November 12 — built in 5 months, 12 days
  2. 1947First of 11 Maple Leafs Stanley Cup wins here
  3. 1964Beatles play (three nights total at the Gardens over their career)
  4. 1967Leafs win last Stanley Cup to date — at the Gardens
  5. 1999Leafs play final game February 13; building closes
  6. 2012Reopens as Mattamy Athletic Centre with Loblaws on main floor

Who Plays Here

Tenants

Past

  • Toronto Maple Leafs (1931–1999)
  • Toronto Marlboros (OHA)

Memorable Moments

Notable Events & Records

  • 11 Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup championships
  • 1972 Summit Series — Game 2 (Canada def. USSR)
  • 1976 Canada Cup matches
  • Muhammad Ali vs George Chuvalo I (1966) — 15-round heavyweight title fight

In the Bowl

Seating Guide

Today: TMU Bold games are played on a reduced-footprint floor inside the original bowl. The preserved upper bowl seats are visible from the Loblaws shopping floor below — one of the strangest, most beautiful repurposings in sports.

Game Day

Getting There

College subway station (Line 1) is steps away. Streetcar 506 Carlton stops outside.

Concessions

Food & Amenities

Loblaws supermarket occupies the original arena floor. The TMU Sports & Recreation Centre includes a hockey rink in the upper bowl.

Plan Your Visit

Visitor Policies

Policies can vary by event, league, artist tour, promoter and ticket issuer. Always check the official venue page and your event/ticket details before you go.

What to check before you go

  • bag policy
  • prohibited items
  • camera/video rules
  • mobile tickets
  • cashless payments
  • re-entry
  • accessibility entrances
  • transit and parking
  • door times
  • food and beverage
  • family washrooms
  • sensory/accessibility accommodations

Going Deeper

Related Topics & Guides

  • Maple Leaf Gardens capacity changes and event configurations
  • Maple Leaf Gardens naming rights and former names
  • Maple Leaf Gardens transit, parking and arrival guide
  • Maple Leaf Gardens accessibility and family visitor notes
  • Maple Leaf Gardens seating, sightlines and atmosphere
  • Maple Leaf Gardens concert setup vs sports setup
  • Maple Leaf Gardens neighbourhood or district impact in Toronto
  • Maple Leaf Gardens historic moments and major events timeline
  • Maple Leaf Gardens hockey rink operations and ice events
  • Maple Leaf Gardens suite, club and premium seating guide

Supporting pages should be generated only after official sources are checked; policy pages require event-specific disclaimers.

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Maple Leaf Gardens demolished?

No — the heritage-protected building still stands. It reopened in 2012 as the Mattamy Athletic Centre with a Loblaws grocery store on the original arena floor.

When did the Maple Leafs leave Maple Leaf Gardens?

On February 13, 1999. They moved to the new Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) four days later.

Do the Maple Leafs still play at Maple Leaf Gardens?

No. The Maple Leafs moved to Scotiabank Arena in 1999.

When did Maple Leaf Gardens open?

Maple Leaf Gardens opened in 1931.

What is Maple Leaf Gardens used for now?

The building has been repurposed and no longer functions as an NHL arena.

Where is Maple Leaf Gardens?

Maple Leaf Gardens is in Toronto, ON, Canada.

What leagues are associated with Maple Leaf Gardens?

Maple Leaf Gardens is associated with Historic, NHL.

What is the capacity of Maple Leaf Gardens?

Maple Leaf Gardens capacity should be read by event configuration: 15,726 historic hockey listing. Historic capacity; building no longer operates as an NHL arena.

What teams play at Maple Leaf Gardens?

Current or notable teams associated with Maple Leaf Gardens include Former Toronto Maple Leafs.

Why is Maple Leaf Gardens important?

Toronto's historic hockey cathedral and former Maple Leafs home.

What should visitors check before going to Maple Leaf Gardens?

Visitors should confirm current bag rules, mobile-ticket requirements, camera policies, accessibility entry, transit updates and event-specific restrictions on the official Maple Leaf Gardens or ticket issuer page before attending. Policies can vary by event.

Research

Sources & Verification

Last verified May 20, 2026

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