The longtime home of the Calgary Flames will only continue to remain standing for a few more years.
The Saddledome, which has served as the home of the Flames for over 40 years, has long been outdated and even criticized by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. After many years of negotiation, construction on the Flames’ soon-to-be new home, Scotia Place, got underway in July of 2024.
The building, which is expected to be ready for the 2027-28 season, is located right beside the Saddledome.
Thematic Zones for the Calgary Stampede Master Plan (Calgary Stampede)
When it was confirmed that a new arena was being built, it was also announced that once completed, the Saddledome would be torn down. How soon that would happen, however, remained somewhat of a mystery. That is, until Wednesday.
Saddledome is expected to come down within 2 years of the opening of Scotia Place. But Cowley says he’d like the Agriculture Building redevelopment to be next if funding becomes available as it was originally built in 1919.
— Adam MacVicar (@AdamMacVicar) March 18, 2026
As per Adam MacVicar of Global News Calgary, the Saddledome is set to come down within two years of the opening of Scotia Place. Assuming it opens in the fall of 2027 as expected, that means that at most, the Saddledome will only remain standing until 2029.
Conceptual rendering of the Calgary Stampede Master Plan (Calgary Stampede)
As sad as it will be to see the Saddledome torn down, the Flames’ new home has the entire city filled with excitement.
Construction crews have continued to chug along ever since getting underway over a year and a half ago. If you have driven past in recent months, you will have noticed that the vast majority of the building is well above ground.
Colton Pankiw/Offside
February saw construction crews continue their work on more exterior framing and panelling. They’ve also continued to expand the steel installation on the west side restaurants, and have started to put in steel for the entrance to the indoor plaza.
Meanwhile, precast concrete for seating has been completed on the south side from the first row to the last.
Earlier this month, the first piece of roof framing was moved into the construction site. A massive steel truss installation has been put in place, which will hold the roof.
This arena will have several amenities and upgrades for fans, and has also played a huge part in Calgary being named as a host for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.
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