How the Junos returned to Hamilton, 11 years after the city last hosted Canada's big music event

The process to bring the Juno Awards to Hamilton took four years and included some tense moments.

But soon, people attending the event recognizing outstanding achievements in Canadian music will see just "how much is happening in Hamilton,” said Lisa Abbott, the Ontario city's director of tourism and culture.

“There’s so much going on here in Hamilton that the rest of Canada needs to know about,” she told CBC Hamilton alongside colleague Ryan McHugh, the city's director of tourism and events.

The 55th annual Juno Awards, capping several days of events, are set to be broadcast from the new TD Coliseum on March 29, hosted by comedian Mae Martin.

Preparations began at a meeting in 2022 as Hamilton looked to host the Canadian Country Music Association awards, McHugh said.

At the time, the city knew the downtown arena was being renovated and felt it was time for Hamilton to host the Junos, he said, noting Steeltown last took on the role in 2015.

City officials sought proposals from different venues and hotels to learn what would be available. They also worked with the Around the Bay road race to ensure it wouldn't be held the same weekend as the Junos.

A crucial question, Abbott and McHugh said, was whether TD Coliseum would be ready on time. 

Oakview Group, the American arena company that managed the venue's $300-million facelift, had "tight deadlines" but it's "one of the best in the business, McHugh said. 

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced Hamilton as the 2026 host city in March 2025 as Oakview gave a media tour through the then 60 per cent-completed venue. 

Junos preparations also involved the creation of a host committee and subcommittees, and consulting with players in the local music industry, Abbott said. Often, she noted, discussions involved pitching partners on how the Junos could benefit them. 

The city worked with likely 50 people representing 30 groups, McHugh said. The city also connected with Hamilton's 12 business improvement areas, which will be hosting community concerts.

“We wanted to make sure that we had great representations across the board,” he said. 

As a result, hundreds of musical performances will be held in Hamilton during Junos week, Abbott and McHugh said.