Edmonton 
An Edmonton recreation centre that opened earlier this year has earned a place alongside major sports venues in Italy, China, France, Morocco and New Zealand on an international list recognizing architectural design.
Credit: City of Edmonton
The Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre is one of seven facilities selected for the 2026 World’s Most Beautiful Arenas List by Prix Versailles.
Announced on October 19, the list recognizes sports buildings that combine distinctive architecture with their surroundings and local communities.
What Makes Edmonton’s Coronation Park Recreation Centre Special?
Opened on January 27, 2026, the centre brings several sports and recreation facilities together under one roof.
In its architectural assessment, Prix Versailles highlights the decision to raise the velodrome “by a full storey” and surround it with a running track. This unusual arrangement allows visitors at ground level to watch cyclists racing overhead.
The award organizers also draw attention to how the building turns an indoor sports facility into a public spectacle, allowing people to experience the action without having to enter the cycling track itself.
Developed through partnerships with the Alberta Velodrome Association and World Triathlon Series Edmonton, the centre became North America’s first indoor triathlon training facility.
Its amenities include:
- A 250-metre Category A indoor cycling track, with spectator capacity for 940 people.
- The Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre, featuring a 50-metre pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and cold plunge pool.
- A walking and running track with a 333-metre outer lane.
- A bouldering wall, indoor playground, fitness centres and multipurpose courts.
- A dedicated spin studio, child-minding space and Second Cup café.
“Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre is not just a facility. It is a destination, a community connector,” said Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack in a news release celebrating the international recognition.
Which Other Arenas Made the 2026 List?
Edmonton joins six other internationally recognized sports venues:
- Xiangyang Olympic Center Stadium, Xiangyang, China
- Armand Cesari Stadium, Furiani, France
- Unipol Dome, Milan, Italy
- Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
- Tangier Grand Stadium, Tangier, Morocco
- One New Zealand Stadium, Te Kaha, Christchurch, New Zealand
Together, the seven venues represent five continents.
Coronation Park is also in contention for three additional 2026 World Titles: the Prix Versailles, Interior and Exterior awards.
The international awards, established in 2015, recognize achievements in architecture and interior design.
Final distinctions are presented at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.
Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre
