Greeley Approves 40-Year Lease with Colorado Eagles for $246M Arena

The City of Greeley has finalized a landmark 40-year lease agreement with the Colorado Eagles, making the team the anchor tenant of a new $246 million, 8,600-seat arena scheduled to open in July 2028. The Eagles, currently based in Loveland, will pay between $20,000 and $22,000 per game with a 10% rent increase every five years, and will also cover property taxes, utilities, janitorial services, ice maintenance, and event staffing. The arena will be part of a larger development including a water park, hotel, and three NHL-sized ice sheets for amateur and public hockey, aiming to drive economic growth and community engagement. Revenue sharing from suite sales, certain ticket fees, advertising, sponsorships, and a portion of food and beverage sales will be split between the city and the team, with the city retaining control of concessions. The agreement also provides community access to the adjacent ice center for youth hockey and skating programs, reflecting a strong collaboration between the city and the Eagles organization. While some city council members raised concerns about specific contract terms, the majority approved the deal, which is expected to enhance Greeley's entertainment and sports landscape for decades.