PNE taking offers for naming rights to Pacific Coliseum, Agrodome

The PNE has announced its looking for a naming rights partner for the historic Pacific Coliseum venue, as well as the Agrodome.

Two venues at the Pacific National Exhibition could soon be sporting new names.

The PNE has begun soliciting offers for naming rights to Pacific Coliseum and the Agrodome, the non-profit announced Friday.

The PNE, which is owned by the City of Vancouver, said its formal requests for proposals for both buildings will open on Jan. 6, but that organizations can register their interest online in the meantime.

In a news release, the PNE described Pacific Coliseum as “one of the most important live music venues in B.C. history,” having hosted performers such as The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Britney Spears, Bruce Springsteen and Guns ‘N Roses over the last six decades.

It’s currently home to the Vancouver Goldeneyes, the city’s new Professional Women’s Hockey League team.

The Agrodome has also hosted many major events over the years, and been used in a number of film productions—perhaps most famously in Rocky IV, where it depicted “the Soviet arena where the climactic fight between Rocky Balboa and Ivan Drago” was held, the PNE said.

The Agrodome and Pacific Coliseum were built five years apart, in 1963 and 1968, respectively.

“Significant capital” is being invested into upgrading the latter, according to the PNE’s naming rights inquiry website, including for “a new score clock, audio equipment, digital screens, and general renovations to modernize the facility.”

Last year, Vancouver city council approved a new policy of embracing corporate sponsorships and naming rights of public assets, with a number of exclusions including for parks and streets.