Brantford has approved full design and construction of its new Sports and Entertainment Centre and finalized a 15-year lease agreement with the Brantford Bulldogs, securing the team’s long-term future with renewal options extending the tenancy up to 40 years.
Mayor Kevin Davis called the decision “a defining moment for Brantford,” saying the combined approval and lease signing set the foundation for a long-term partnership and a major boost for downtown renewal.
“Council’s approval of the Sports and Entertainment Centre and the official signing of an up to 40-year lease with the Brantford Bulldogs secures a long-term partnership that will strengthen our community and fuel our downtown’s renewal,” Davis said. “This project is a generational investment, and the Bulldogs’ commitment affirms Brantford as their permanent home. Importantly, we’re bringing this vision to life with a practical and sustainable funding model.”
The two decisions — design approval and lease confirmation — were adopted over consecutive sessions, marking the formal transition of the SEC from planning into build phase.
During a special meeting on December 4, 2025, councillors voted 11–0 in favour of the Design Approval Report 2025-579, clearing the final requirement before construction. Motions tied to construction authorization and financing passed 10–1, with Councillor Van Tilborg dissenting.
The $152-million arena — planned for Market Street beside the existing Civic Centre — will seat 5,235 spectators and serve as a multi-event venue for OHL hockey, concerts, touring shows, community gatherings and major sport events. The lease signed a day earlier confirms the Bulldogs as anchor tenant with rights extending well beyond the first 15-year term.
Design drawings show a four-level complex with a 360-degree concourse, premium suites, marketplace-style concessions, restaurant and lounge areas, sensory-friendly rooms, universal washrooms and accessible viewing throughout. Capacity expands by up to 1,700 floor seats for events. A new civic plaza will connect the SEC with the current Civic Centre footprint.
Independent projections estimate construction will generate roughly $261 million in economic activity, 1,260 full-time jobs, $90 million in labour income and nearly $25 million in provincial and federal tax revenue. Annual operations are forecast to drive more than $13 million in local spending and support close to 100 jobs, totalling more than $145 million in economic output over 10 years.
Construction is scheduled to begin early in 2026, with steel installation projected for spring, enclosure in 2027 and commissioning in early 2028. The objective is for the Brantford Bulldogs to open their 2028 OHL season in the new building.
Finance staff say the SEC can be delivered without additional municipal tax burden, relying instead on revenue sources including sponsorships, naming rights, municipal accommodation tax, casino revenue reallocation, land sales and commercial uplift downtown.
Public engagement shaped the final plans, informing decisions on circulation flow, exterior architecture and accessibility, including the addition of an LED ribbon board inside the bowl.
“We couldn’t be more excited for a new sports and entertainment complex in Brantford,” said Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman. “This city is home, the place the Bulldogs belong, and where we’ll call home forever.”
Ground-breaking is next.
