new 10,000-seat arena, vancouver giants poised to come to surrey in 2030
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surrey mayor brenda locke speaks to reporters about the city centre arena and cultural event centre, with the vancouver giants as the anchor tenant on june 30, 2026.
sobia moman
the city of surrey has announced new details for its plan to build a 10,000-seat sports and entertainment arena, including a partnership with the vancouver giants hockey team.
mayor brenda locke says the new city centre arena and cultural event centre is projected to hold major concerts, cultural events and sports games.
“we are so, so very thrilled to welcome the giants as one of our partners in this project,” locke told reporters.
“this is a major vote of confidence in surrey, and our vision for an arena and broader sports culture and entertainment district. when we say big things are happening in surrey, we absolutely mean it.”
the new arena, at an estimated cost of $360 million, is expected to compete with other metro vancouver arenas and facilities. the funding was included in the city’s 2026 budget, locke said.
the city’s for-profit real estate development company, surrey city development corp., will work with the city on the project, expected to be complete by 2030.
parking lot of a former safeway store at 10355 king george boulevard in surrey that may be the future site of a new city centre arena and cultural event centre project
jason payne
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the vancouver giants currently play at the langley events centre, but plan to move to surrey once the new arena is open.
“we’re a surrey team, so we’re going to look at modifying the jersey to include surrey in it in some capacity,” said ron toigo, the majority owner and president of the giants.
the location of the new arena has changed. originally, it was going to take over the b.c. lions training facility at tom binnie park in whalley, near chuck bailey recreation centre and the gateway skytrain station.
but the city has chosen a parcel of land at 10355 king george blvd., which is currently the parking lot for a closed safeway store.
surrey acquired the location through a land-swap agreement, in which three parcels of city-owned land (at 2750 194a st., 19165 39 ave. and 12820-12842 96 ave.) were exchanged for the desired site.
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the new location is in surrey’s downtown core, across the street from city hall and the surrey central skytrain station. its construction is expected to kickstart the city’s plan for an entertainment district in the area.
aerial concept image of the 10,000-seat arena and entertainment district. handout image.
city of surrey
aside from the arena itself, the development will also include a luxury hotel, conference space, and housing, according to the city’s plans. the entire project is anticipated to generate $2.4 billion in economic benefits over the next 10 years, locke said.
“bringing together this new parcel of land, with experienced parties to build, operate and tenant this new 10,000-seat arena, is going to unlock significant opportunities for the city,” said bill aujla, ceo of surrey city development corp.
aujla could not say when construction would begin on the project, saying that is still being negotiated.
the project has proven contentious, particularly for opposition coun. linda annis, who will face off against locke in the october election.
in a statement tuesday, annis said locke has not pointed to any private organizations willing to step up to fund the project, which she says is leaving taxpayers unfairly on the hook.
“if the private sector genuinely believes this project is a good idea and financially viable, why are they not prepared to step up and be an investor and financial partner?” annis asked.
she also said the $360 million price is not realistic, and believes the cost will be much higher.
some of the land the city swapped to secure the new arena site is valuable industrial land in campbell heights, annis added.
“i’m not surprised that the giants are solidly behind this deal,” annis said. “it’s a great deal for them, and it is only possible because the mayor is putting surrey taxpayers on the hook. if this project could produce a viable financial model, the private sector would be rushing to build it and operate it.”
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