Edmonton Oilers’ Former HC and GM Kevin Lowe Makes Monumental $14.8 Million Donation to the Team for the Stadium Renovation Project, And..
In a landmark gesture that reflects his enduring commitment to the franchise he helped build, former Edmonton Oilers head coach and general manager Kevin Lowe has made a historic $14.8 million donation toward the team’s upcoming stadium renovation project. The contribution marks one of the largest private donations in the history of Canadian professional sports infrastructure.
Lowe, a six-time Stanley Cup champion and longtime executive with the Oilers organization, expressed his motivation for the gift as deeply personal. “Edmonton has given me everything — my career, my family, and my legacy,” Lowe said in a statement released by the team. “This arena is more than just a building. It’s where our community comes together, and I want future generations to experience it at its very best.”
The $14.8 million donation will go directly toward modernizing key fan experience elements within Rogers Place, including upgraded seating, improved concourse flow, expanded heritage exhibits, and the addition of a community-accessible performance space bearing Lowe’s name. The Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) confirmed that Lowe’s contribution will be matched by a combination of private partners and municipal grants, accelerating the $60 million renovation timeline.
OEG Chairman Daryl Katz lauded the gift as “visionary” and “emblematic of Kevin’s lifelong dedication to this city and this team.” Katz added that plans are already underway to honor Lowe’s generosity with a permanent installation inside the building, alongside the franchise’s Hall of Fame display.
Lowe’s tenure with the Oilers spans nearly five decades as a player, coach, executive, and ambassador. He was part of the franchise’s original NHL roster in 1979, served as head coach in the late 1990s, and later became general manager during the club’s 2006 Stanley Cup Final run. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020, Lowe has remained active in civic and philanthropic efforts throughout Alberta.
Fan and community reaction to the donation has been overwhelmingly positive. Social media lit up with tributes calling Lowe’s gift “pure class” and a “perfect reflection of Oil Country pride.” The team has scheduled a public celebration and unveiling ceremony to take place this summer ahead of the 2025–26 season.
As the Oilers look to solidify their legacy both on and off the ice, Lowe’s monumental donation underscores the deep-rooted connection between franchise legends and the community they helped shape. His contribution not only honors the past but also builds a brighter, more inclusive future for Edmonton hockey.