PNE adds BC Lottery Corporation as a sponsor for new amphitheatre | Daily Hive

Concept of Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre. (Revery Architecture)

PNE announced today a new sponsorship partnership with BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) as a “founding partner” of the new Freedom Mobile Arch.

Construction on the brand new purpose-built amphitheatre at the fairgrounds in Vancouver’s Hastings Park has now passed the halfway mark in its construction timeline, with major progress on the landmark mass-timber roof structure now highly apparent.

BCLC will specifically sponsor the outdoor concert and performance venue’s open-air lawn viewing area, called the “BCLC Backyard.”

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While the venue will feature 6,000 fixed seats beneath a striking mass-timber roof, offering weather protection for concertgoers, behind the fixed seating area, an open grassy lawn will provide flexible, informal standing/sitting space for up to 4,000 additional attendees.

In total, the Freedom Mobile Arch will be able to accommodate up to 10,000 spectators.

“The PNE is proud to welcome BCLC’s partnership supporting this important music and cultural venue,” said Shelley Frost, president and CEO of the PNE, in a statement.

“We recognize and share BCLC’s commitment to promoting moments for human connection and are dedicated to partnering on programs that will foster lasting memories at the many music and cultural events that will occur at the Arch.”

new pne amphitheatre vancouver freedom mobile

BCLC Backyard; concept of Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre. (Revery Architecture)

freedom mobile arch new pne amphitheatre

BCLC Backyard; concept of Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre. (Revery Architecture)

VIP pod; concept of Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre. (Revery Architecture)

As part of the partnership, the BCLC Backyard area will be part of the BCLC Community Ticketing Program, which offers free tickets to non-profit organizations for events.

The monetary value of the sponsorship deal with the provincial Crown corporation was not disclosed.

“Together with our friends at the PNE, we’re excited to create a BCLC Backyard experience that’s fun and entertaining for British Columbians, and that fosters connection with each other, our communities and our province,” said Natasha Questel, chief social purpose officer and vice president of marketing for BCLC.

Concept of Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre. (Revery Architecture)

Concept of Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre. (Revery Architecture)

pne amphitheatre new design revery architecture

Concept of Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre. (Revery Architecture)

Construction on the new amphitheatre is expected to reach completion in late Spring 2026, just ahead of its critical use for Vancouver’s official FIFA World Cup Fan Festival — a five-week-long festival coinciding with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The venue will adopt its title sponsor name — after Freedom Mobile — along with other sponsor-related branding and elements only after the tournament concludes.

Major construction work began in May 2024.

Construction progressed to the raising of the first modular roof segments in May 2025. Work on the roof structure is expected to continue throughout the summer and into the fall. The roof structure is anticipated to be complete before the end of 2025.

pne amphitheatre freedom mobile arch construction june 1 2025 f5

Construction progress on Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre, as of June 1, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

pne amphitheatre freedom mobile construction june 1 2025

Construction progress on Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre, as of June 1, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

The venue also features a permanent large stage, expansive back-of-house facilities for productions, and significant spectator amenities, including various food and beverage concessions and some box/VIP seating areas.

The amphitheatre carries a total budget of up to $137.5 million, including a contingency fund of up to $30 million to cover any market inflation in the prices for construction materials, labour, and equipment, and to account for any extra costs needed to expedite work to ensure the venue is ready in time for the World Cup.

This will be the largest freestanding mass-timber structure of its kind in the world. The project’s design firms are Revery Architecture, Fast + Epp Structural Engineers, and PFS Studio, and the general contractor is EllisDon.

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