The curtain is rising on downtown Hamilton's entertainment landmark: TD Coliseum – a world-class, 18,000-seat concert venue that's about to redefine live music in the city.

After 18 months and a $300-million transformation, the doors swing open Nov 21 when legendary Beatles member Sir Paul McCartney takes the stage for a sold-out show as the first performer in the new space.

From there, a star-studded lineup follows: Rod Stewart, Nine Inch Nails, Twice, Brad Paisley, The Offspring, Andrea Bocelli, Cardi B, and many more. The arena will also host the Lacrosse team Toronto Rock, major sporting events, and the 2026 JUNO Awards – a fitting centerpiece for Hamilton's big year of music ahead.

Inside, everything feels brand new – from sleek black seating and upgraded sound to premium lounges, 29 concession stands, and The Iron Cow Public House, a full-service restaurant by celebrity chef Matty Matheson. With multiple new concourses, bars, and luxury suites, visitors will find easier access, better acoustics, and a distinct Hamilton mix of grit and glam.

In many ways, TD Coliseum is a completely new, unrecognizable place. But for many Hamiltonians, it's also a beloved and familiar building full of memories.

The reopening marks one of the largest private-sector investments in Hamilton's history – and the start of a new era for fans who grew up seeing unforgettable shows at Copps Coliseum and later, FirstOntario Centre.

From The Hip to Springsteen, from sold-out hockey nights to Beatles-level history – this building has seen it all.

As we look ahead to a new chapter, we're counting down 10 Legendary Shows that helped make Hamilton's arena a stage for the ages.

10 Legendary Shows That Rocked at Hamilton’s former Copps Coliseum

Hamilton's downtown arena first opened in 1985 as Copps Coliseum and was renamed FirstOntario Centre in 2014. In the 38 years before it closed in the summer of 2023 for a massive renovation before reopening in November 2025 as TD Coliseum, it has hosted some epic concerts.

You probably remember something special you saw there too. Consider this roundup part of that long list of Hamilton music history.

The Grateful Dead

March 1990, March 1992

The legendary psychedelic wanderers played two nights two years apart, both times giving Hamilton a glimpse of the travelling circus the Dead brought with them. However, Deadheads, "spinners" and parking lot grilled cheese vendors were ancillary to the main events: four spectacular shows that demonstrated why the Dead were one of the most celebrated live acts of all time.

Shania Twain

September 2003

Shania's Copps Coliseum show was not just the kick-off to her Up! Tour. On the heels of releasing her enormously successful album of the same name, she perfected her live show in Hamilton. Twain spent several weeks rehearsing the tour here and when the day of the show came, the sold-out Hamilton crowd was the first to enjoy the results. The concert held the coliseum's attendance record for many years.

Bruce Springsteen

October 2012

The Wrecking Ball Tour was the Boss's second time at Copps. Known for his marathon shows, Springsteen performed a set list that combined his classics with audience-requested songs. One of those requests was extra special. Bruce performed "Terry's Song," for only the second time ever, as it was requested (via a written sign in the crowd) by a young fan, in tribute to her late friend. He really is the Boss.

Britney Spears

August 2009

Britney was no stranger to Hamilton, having stopped here in 1999 and 2002. It was her 2009 show that made records, though. The Circus Starring Britney Spears may have received mixed reviews, but the spectacle of it all (including its three-ring circus-styled theatre-in-the-round set-up) led to a sell-out performance.

Garth Brooks

March 2016

At the time, Brooks' three-date run saw huge shows that drew from around the region and easily surpassed previous sales records at FirstOntario Centre. Though he only played three dates, Brooks actually played a staggering five shows, performing back-to-back concerts. Switching out one enormous arena crowd for another, in the course of one evening, was an unusual, but surprisingly organized affair.

Paul McCartney

July 2016

The legendary Beatle brought his One on One tour to Hamilton, where it became a sell-out and one of the city's highest-grossing standalone shows. Hamilton was his only stop in eastern Canada. Audiences were treated to a 39-song set, which included a special performance of “Mull of Kintyre” with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipe Band. McCartney returns to open the newly named TD Coliseum on Nov. 21.

The Tragically Hip

August 2016

The Man Machine Poem tour, the Hip's farewell to fans across the nation, landed in Hamilton a mere four days before the Hip's final performance in their hometown of Kingston, Ont. With singer Gord Downie diagnosed with incurable brain cancer, every show on the tour was an emotional, historic event. The legendary band's music will be reshared in Hamilton at the much-anticipated Theatre Aquarius show, It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken, starting in April 2026.

Arkells

February 2017

Did the show set sales records? Perhaps not, but playing your first-ever arena show, in front of fervent local fans no less, is the definition of a memorable concert. Ten thousand fans were thrilled to experience a 26-song set. The band would go on to perform several sold-out shows at Hamilton Stadium, but the FirstOntario Centre show was a milestone occasion.

Tool

May 2017

The dark, mysterious prog-metal machine made only one Ontario stop on their 2017 tour, and it sold out in minutes. The band played a two-hours-plus set of Tool classics and one Canadian live debut ("Descending"). It had been a decade since the band last played the city, and their powerful performance and immersive visuals (lighting design, projections, lasers) did not disappoint.

BlackPink and BTS

November 2022 and September 2018

Hamilton hosted K-pop superstars Blackpink (two sold-out shows in November 2022, their only Canadian dates) and BTS (three sold out shows in September 2018, also their only Canadian dates). Both groups were international icons in a genre that shows no signs of waning popularity. Audience members came from across Canada and the U.S.A. for these hugely popular shows that packed the downtown core with fans for days.

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An original version of this story first appeared in HAMILTON CITY Magazine
By Meredith Macleod and Jamie Tenant