Ottawa's EY Centre is set to be renamed the Cohere Centre following a new naming rights agreement with the Toronto-based artificial intelligence company Cohere. The announcement was made on April 30, 2026, and the change is expected to take effect in the coming months.
Details of the Agreement
The naming rights deal was signed between the City of Ottawa and Cohere, a leading AI firm known for its natural language processing technology. The EY Centre, a major convention and exhibition venue located at 4899 Uplands Drive, will now be known as the Cohere Centre. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but it is expected to bring significant revenue to the city.
Impact on Local Events
The renaming will affect events hosted at the venue, including the Ottawa Home & Garden Show, which was held there on March 21, 2026. Organizers have confirmed that all future events will proceed as planned under the new name. The Cohere Centre will continue to serve as a hub for trade shows, conferences, and community gatherings.
Cohere, founded in 2019, has rapidly grown to become a key player in the AI industry, focusing on enterprise solutions. The company's CEO stated that the partnership reflects Cohere's commitment to supporting innovation and community development in Canada.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe praised the deal, calling it a win for the city's economy and tech sector. "This partnership showcases Ottawa as a destination for cutting-edge technology and business events," he said. Local business leaders also expressed optimism, noting that the Cohere name could attract more tech-focused conferences to the capital.
Some residents voiced concerns about the loss of the EY branding, which had been in place since 2015. However, city officials assured that the transition would be smooth and that the venue's operations would remain unchanged.
Broader Context
The renaming comes amid a wave of corporate naming rights deals for Canadian venues. Similar agreements have been made for arenas and convention centers across the country, reflecting the growing influence of technology companies in public spaces. Cohere's move into naming rights signals its ambitions to increase brand visibility beyond the tech sector.
Construction of new signage and branding updates is scheduled to begin in May 2026, with completion expected by the end of the year. The Cohere Centre will officially debut in January 2027.
