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PHOTOS: Looking back as Budweiser Gardens turns 20

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This weekend will mark 20 years since London’s downtown arena, originally called the John Labatt Centre and now Budweiser Gardens, opened its doors, dramatically changing how Londoners experience downtown. We’re looking back at some memorable moments there during the past two decades with these photos from the LFP Archives:



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Thousands of Londoners — 9,140 to be exact — line up to take in the London Knights home opener against the Plymouth Whalers on Oct. 11, 2002, the first event in the new John Labatt Centre. (Free Press file photo)
Thousands of Londoners — 9,140 to be exact — line up to take in the London Knights home opener against the Plymouth Whalers on Oct. 11, 2002, the first event in the new John Labatt Centre. (Free Press file photo)


The sellout crowd of 9,140 stands for the national anthems before the London Knights home opener, their first game in the John Labatt Centre, against the Plymouth Whalers on Oct. 12, 2002. (Free Press file photo)
The sellout crowd of 9,140 stands for the national anthems before the London Knights home opener, their first game in the John Labatt Centre, against the Plymouth Whalers on Oct. 12, 2002. (Free Press file photo)


Three riders perform during the world famous Lipizzaner Stallion show at the John Labatt Centre on Oct. 24, 2003.
Three riders perform during the world famous Lipizzaner Stallion show at the John Labatt Centre on Oct. 24, 2003.


Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip rocks the John Labatt Centre on June 5, 2004.
Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip rocks the John Labatt Centre on June 5, 2004.


Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson grabs hold of Toronto Raptors player Vince Carter as the two move down the court in pre-season NBA action at the John Labatt Centre on Oct. 17, 2004.
Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson grabs hold of Toronto Raptors player Vince Carter as the two move down the court in pre-season NBA action at the John Labatt Centre on Oct. 17, 2004.


Jim Stevens wears a wild wig in London Knights green as the team plays Sarnia at the John Labatt Centre on Feb. 18, 2005 and Memorial Cup fever started rising with the tournament a few months away.
Jim Stevens wears a wild wig in London Knights green as the team plays Sarnia at the John Labatt Centre on Feb. 18, 2005 and Memorial Cup fever started rising with the tournament a few months away.


London Knights players celebrate their Memorial Cup win over the Rimouski Oceanic on May 29, 2005, at London’s John Labatt Centre, capping a historic season. The team loaded with several future NHLers went unbeaten in their first 31 games, won an OHL record 59 times in the regular season and shut out Sidney Crosby and his powerful Oceanic squad in the national major-junior hockey championship final.
London Knights players celebrate their Memorial Cup win over the Rimouski Oceanic on May 29, 2005, at London’s John Labatt Centre, capping a historic season. The team loaded with several future NHLers went unbeaten in their first 31 games, won an OHL record 59 times in the regular season and shut out Sidney Crosby and his powerful Oceanic squad in the national major-junior hockey championship final.


Elton John rocked the John Labatt Centre on Nov. 6, 2006, playing many of his big hits in a two-hour, 40-minute set that Free Press columnist James Reaney wrote “was all about the music.”
Elton John rocked the John Labatt Centre on Nov. 6, 2006, playing many of his big hits in a two-hour, 40-minute set that Free Press columnist James Reaney wrote “was all about the music.”


More than 350 people, including employees from TD Canada Trust, RBC, Aviva, Fanshawe Fitness and GoodLife Fitness, take part in the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation 2007 ride for diabetes research fundraiser on Nov. 9, 2007, at the John Labatt Centre.
More than 350 people, including employees from TD Canada Trust, RBC, Aviva, Fanshawe Fitness and GoodLife Fitness, take part in the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation 2007 ride for diabetes research fundraiser on Nov. 9, 2007, at the John Labatt Centre.


Team Germany’s Norman Hauner celebrates after giving his team a 3-2 lead over Team USA in the third period of their game at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge at the John Labatt Centre on Jan. 1, 2008. The underdog Germans added an empty net goal to defeat the heavily favoured Americans by a score of 4-2.
Team Germany’s Norman Hauner celebrates after giving his team a 3-2 lead over Team USA in the third period of their game at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge at the John Labatt Centre on Jan. 1, 2008. The underdog Germans added an empty net goal to defeat the heavily favoured Americans by a score of 4-2.


Anne Murray performed twice at the John Labatt Centre in 2008. After tickets for her April 24 concert quickly sold out, a second show was added May 20. (London Free Press files)
Anne Murray performed twice at the John Labatt Centre in 2008. After tickets for her April 24 concert quickly sold out, a second show was added May 20. (London Free Press files)


Keith Urban performs at the John Labatt Centre on Oct. 1, 2009. He dedicated a song to his wife Nicole Kidman, who was rumoured to be in the building for the event that Free Press columnist James Reaney described as “one of the great singalong concerts in the arena’s history.”
Keith Urban performs at the John Labatt Centre on Oct. 1, 2009. He dedicated a song to his wife Nicole Kidman, who was rumoured to be in the building for the event that Free Press columnist James Reaney described as “one of the great singalong concerts in the arena’s history.”


Tyler Block works on his routine on Nov. 11, 2009 as he prepares for the Cirque Du Soleil show Alegria at the John Labatt Centre.
Tyler Block works on his routine on Nov. 11, 2009 as he prepares for the Cirque Du Soleil show Alegria at the John Labatt Centre.


16-year-old Justin Bieber, who three years earlier was busking on the streets of his hometown Stratford, brought his My World tour to John Labatt Centre on Aug 22, 2010. The teen heartthrob electrified the sold-out crowd of mostly girls and young women with hits, stagecraft, charisma and choreography, Free Press columnist James Reaney wrote.
16-year-old Justin Bieber, who three years earlier was busking on the streets of his hometown Stratford, brought his My World tour to John Labatt Centre on Aug 22, 2010. The teen heartthrob electrified the sold-out crowd of mostly girls and young women with hits, stagecraft, charisma and choreography, Free Press columnist James Reaney wrote.


Team Paradise from Russia performs at the 2011 Synchrofest International at the John Labatt Centre on on Dec. 28, 2011.
Team Paradise from Russia performs at the 2011 Synchrofest International at the John Labatt Centre on on Dec. 28, 2011.


London Knights winger Seth Griffith celebrates his goal against the Windsor Spitfires during Game 3 of their Ontario Hockey League playoff series at the John Labatt Centre on March 26, 2012.
London Knights winger Seth Griffith celebrates his goal against the Windsor Spitfires during Game 3 of their Ontario Hockey League playoff series at the John Labatt Centre on March 26, 2012.


DeAnthony Bowden of the London Lightning celebrates after the Lightning defeated the Halifax Rainmen 116-92 to win the NBL championship at the John Labatt Centre on March 25, 2012. The Lightning won Game 5 to take the best-of-five series 3-2 and win the title in the league’s inaugural season.
DeAnthony Bowden of the London Lightning celebrates after the Lightning defeated the Halifax Rainmen 116-92 to win the NBL championship at the John Labatt Centre on March 25, 2012. The Lightning won Game 5 to take the best-of-five series 3-2 and win the title in the league’s inaugural season.


Workers install the Budweiser Gardens sign above the main entrance to the the arena previously known as the John Labatt Centre on Sept. 17, 2012.
Workers install the Budweiser Gardens sign above the main entrance to the the arena previously known as the John Labatt Centre on Sept. 17, 2012.


Cam McQueen’s Northern Nightmare was one of the featured performers at Monster Jam at Budweiser Gardens on on Feb. 15, 2013.
Cam McQueen’s Northern Nightmare was one of the featured performers at Monster Jam at Budweiser Gardens on on Feb. 15, 2013.


Images are projected on the side of Budweiser Gardens during a light and sound show on March 11, 2013. It was part of the festivities at the world figure skating championships. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir were among the skaters who took to the ice in the biggest international sports event the city has hosted.
Images are projected on the side of Budweiser Gardens during a light and sound show on March 11, 2013. It was part of the festivities at the world figure skating championships. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir were among the skaters who took to the ice in the biggest international sports event the city has hosted.


More than 300 people take part in a mass yoga class at Budweiser Gardens on July 20, 2014.
More than 300 people take part in a mass yoga class at Budweiser Gardens on July 20, 2014.


Players wear the No. 91 as former London Knight David Bolland’s jersey is retired and a banner commemorating the NHLer is raised to the rafters at Budweiser Gardens on Oct. 15, 2014.
Players wear the No. 91 as former London Knight David Bolland’s jersey is retired and a banner commemorating the NHLer is raised to the rafters at Budweiser Gardens on Oct. 15, 2014.


Ed Sheeran entertains a sold-out crowd at Budweiser Gardens on June 5, 2015. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)
Ed Sheeran entertains a sold-out crowd at Budweiser Gardens on June 5, 2015. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)


Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie was the focus for 9,900 fans at a sold-out Budweiser Gardens on Aug. 8, 2016, when the band played here on its 15-date cross-country final tour. Downie, who was diagnosed months earlier with terminal brain cancer, and his bandmates combined to deliver a concert Free Press columnist James Reaney described as “emotional, uplifting and overwhelming.”
Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie was the focus for 9,900 fans at a sold-out Budweiser Gardens on Aug. 8, 2016, when the band played here on its 15-date cross-country final tour. Downie, who was diagnosed months earlier with terminal brain cancer, and his bandmates combined to deliver a concert Free Press columnist James Reaney described as “emotional, uplifting and overwhelming.”


The London Lightning hoist the NBL Canada trophy after defeating the Halifax Hurricanes 129-116 for the championship at Budweiser Gardens on June 5, 2017.
The London Lightning hoist the NBL Canada trophy after defeating the Halifax Hurricanes 129-116 for the championship at Budweiser Gardens on June 5, 2017.


An acrobat dressed as a dragonfly performs hand balancing during the opening moments of Cirque du Soleil’s OVO at Budweiser Gardens on June 14, 2017.
An acrobat dressed as a dragonfly performs hand balancing during the opening moments of Cirque du Soleil’s OVO at Budweiser Gardens on June 14, 2017.


Shania Twain performs at Budweiser Gardens on July 3, 2018. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)
Shania Twain performs at Budweiser Gardens on July 3, 2018. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)


Jeffrey Latimer, left, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame, London Mayor Ed Holder, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir unveil a plaque in honour of the Olympic gold-winning ice dancers on Aug. 7, 2019, before it was installed outside Budweiser Gardens.
Jeffrey Latimer, left, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame, London Mayor Ed Holder, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir unveil a plaque in honour of the Olympic gold-winning ice dancers on Aug. 7, 2019, before it was installed outside Budweiser Gardens.


Brian Bradley, Chris Kelly, Dylan Hunter (back row, left to right); John McDonald, Garry Unger and Reg Thomas (front row, left to right) were inducted into the Don Brankley London Knights Hall of Fame at Budweiser Gardens on Feb. 11, 2020.
Brian Bradley, Chris Kelly, Dylan Hunter (back row, left to right); John McDonald, Garry Unger and Reg Thomas (front row, left to right) were inducted into the Don Brankley London Knights Hall of Fame at Budweiser Gardens on Feb. 11, 2020.


Wendel Clark says something to crack up Darcy Tucker, left, and Shayne Corson during the Toronto Maple Leafs alumni game at Budweiser Gardens on  Oct. 3, 2021.
Wendel Clark says something to crack up Darcy Tucker, left, and Shayne Corson during the Toronto Maple Leafs alumni game at Budweiser Gardens on  Oct. 3, 2021.


Tim Hicks performs at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 29, 2021 at Budweiser Gardens.
Tim Hicks performs at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 29, 2021 at Budweiser Gardens.


Fanshawe College graduates fill the floor as their convocation was held at Budweiser Gardens on June 20, 2022.
Fanshawe College graduates fill the floor as their convocation was held at Budweiser Gardens on June 20, 2022.
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