North chairman Mark Chipman, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and Premier of Manitoba Greg Selinger held a press conference at the MTS Centre to announce the deal, which was formally approved by the NHL Board of Governors three weeks later. As part of the transition to the NHL, the arena went through some minor renovations to bring it in line with the league's standards, including construction of additional press boxes, shuttered lighting, flexible rink glass, and an upgraded ice refrigeration system. Further improvements were made over the next few years, including concourse improvements, installation of a new HD scoreboard, and the replacement of metal rails with plexiglass to eliminate obstructed views around the arena. A total of 278 premium seats were added to the upper level in 2015, slightly increasing the arena's capacity. With a capacity of just over 15,300 for NHL games, Canada Life Centre is the second smallest arena in the NHL, holding over 10,000 more fans than the Arizona Coyotes Mullett Arena. International Canada Life Centre co-hosted the 2007 IIHF Women's World Championship with Selkirk, which was won by Canada. Other international matches hosted at the arena included 2005 World Junior Championship pretournament games, the fifth game of the 2007 Super Series between Canada and Russia, and the medal round of the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. Curling Canada Life Centre hosted the 2008 Tim Hortons Brier. From 2005 through 2010 (barring the 2007–08 edition that was held in Quebec City), the arena hosted the Grand Slam of Curling's Canadian Open. Combat sports On June 15, 2013, the arena hosted UFC 161. In professional wrestling, it hosted a broadcast of WWE Raw on February 24, 2020, which was ultimately the final non-hockey event to be held at the arena before the implementation of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. WWE SmackDown was broadcast from Canada Life Centre on September 30, 2022, which was part of WWE's first shows in Canada since the beginning of the pandemic. Entertainment Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum See also List of indoor arenas in Canada References External links Basketball venues in Canada Curling venues in Canada Indoor arenas in Manitoba Indoor ice hockey venues in Canada Manitoba Moose National Hockey League venues Music venues completed in 2004 Music venues in Winnipeg Sports venues completed in 2004 Sports venues in Winnipeg True North Sports & Entertainment Volleyball venues in Canada Winnipeg Jets American Hockey League