Final mass-timber beam installed for new PNE amphitheatre's roof
The mass-timber roof design incorporates both glulam, which offers superior strength, and a cross-laminated timber deck made of three-ply Douglas Fir, which provides a structural diaphragm for stability.
Currently, temporary masts at the centre of the site support the structure. Later on, these temporary masts will be removed to reveal a rigid, self-supporting roof that is also held together by compression.
Video of today's raising and installation of the final beam of mass-timber roof for the Freedom Mobile Arch, the new #PNE amphitheatre. #vanpoli #vanrehttps://t.co/q6mGJkvDhh pic.twitter.com/2dOSEo37UL
— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) August 20, 2025
Construction progress on the Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre, as of Aug. 20, 2025. (PNE)
Construction progress on the Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre, as of Aug. 20, 2025. (PNE)
Construction progress on the Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre, as of Aug. 20, 2025. (PNE)
Construction progress on the Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre, as of Aug. 20, 2025. (PNE)
The project’s design firms are Revery Architecture, Fast + Epp Structural Engineers, and PFS Studio, and the general contractor is EllisDon.
“The work to date on the roof structure of the Freedom Mobile Arch has been extremely complex, and we are pleased that our General Contractor, Ellis Don, has met this significant milestone on time, ensuring this project is moving forward towards its targeted opening of early summer, 2026,” said Ming Tian, vice president of facilities and master plan projects for the PNE, in a statement today.
The long-planned venue’s very first event will be its use for Vancouver’s official FIFA World Cup Fan Festival, spanning five weeks at the PNE fairgrounds as a key celebration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Later in Summer 2026, the amphitheatre will see its first use for greatly enhanced programming for the annual PNE Fair. The venue will adopt its title sponsor name, Freedom Mobile, along with other partner designations — including the recently announced BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) — after the World Cup.
With weather protection and new purpose-built features, this new covered outdoor amphitheatre is intended to provide the PNE with new long-term revenue by greatly enhancing its ability to attract more concerts, events, and festivals over a wider period of the year.
The new amphitheatre features a capacity of up to 10,000 spectators, including 6,000 in fixed seating directly under the roof and another 4,000 within an informal seating/standing area called the “BCLC Backyard” — a large open-air lawn viewing area within the rear of the venue.
The venue also features a permanent large built-in 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.
BCLC Backyard; artistic rendering of Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE amphitheatre. (Revery Architecture)
Artistic rendering of Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE Amphitheatre. (Revery Architecture/PNE)
Artistic rendering of Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE Amphitheatre. (Revery Architecture/PNE)
Artistic rendering of Freedom Mobile Arch, the new PNE Amphitheatre. (Revery Architecture/PNE)
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