Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[northernlights99]

In football and soccer we speak in yards.

Yes correct, the center 10 yards will be yanked out and the end zones will be trimmed by 5 yards each making a 130 yard field instead of current 150.

Width stays the same. Goal posts will be moved to the end dead line.

So the field will be 20 yards shorter in length, that will permit additional seating. So the field will be shrunk by 10 yards each side.

No doubt the head of the CFL pushed for these rule changes with BMO Field in mind.

He was also head of TSN so sought the need to move the goal posts back cause from a television perspective, the bars block view of the field. They also block views on camera replays.

I know one recent game involving the BC Lions, a TV replay didn't give convincing evidence of a fair catch cause a goalpost blocked the camera view.

Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale where the MLS Cup will be played Saturday isn't even sold out, many tickets remain unsold. And the stadium only holds 21,000.

I bet you if Canadians felt safer travelling to US, the Whitecaps would have 5000 fans there.

I bet you they'll have 40,000 inside BC Place watching it on the big screen. Shame the game isn't in Vancouver.

New stadium Miami Freedom Park opens for Miami FC next year.

As you can see here Chase Stadium has drawn poorly for soccer :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chase_Stadium




If my calculations are right, the fields will be reduced by 9 meters each side, which isn't too significant. So adding/expanding fan decks is probably the way to go. Considering attendance at CFL games, I don't think they'd additional grandstand seating, but it does offer a slight bit more space for expanded seating for Grey Cup/NHL Classics.[/QUOTE]

[northernlights99]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

I wonder how the end zone configuration will change with the CFL field changes in 2027? Larger field level party decks or maybe a small grandstand? I am sure all of the stadiums will have to have updates for these changes.
I even wonder if some will only do it on one side and have the field "off center"

Two new holes will have to be drilled at each CFL stadium for relocation of the goalposts for 2027.

If you keep one hole as is in same location, the other hole will have to be drilled 130 yards away the other direction.

Its not mathematically possible to get around drilling two new holes with one possible exception stated below.

If a CFL city gets an NFL game, they can just use the CFL layout. When Winnipeg had their NFL game, they used a 90 yard field.

An off center field will work in a stadium like Commonwealth with just one end zone of seating, simply move field closer to one end.

BC Place already had one NFL game in 1998, the American Bowl (49ers versus Seahawks) so those two holes for the NFL layout are already drilled in the floor I assume and covered with plates.

BC Place could use one of those holes as its only offset by the new CFL dead line by 5 yards.

I was at the American Bowl game in '98, it was far from a sell out, maybe 44,000 and that's when the capacity was 60,000. The Backstreet Boys were in concert next door at GM Place that night and they sung an awful anthem before game and got loudly booed.

Interestingly in that game the teams were on opposite sidelines which is the current NFL rule and will be in CFL also next season.

49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice refused to play cause he didn't like the BC Place turf. I did see him during the warm up.

I'd like to know who will pay for the costs of all these changes to the fields. I find it odd that none of the CFL coaches were consulted by the League on these changes.

The CFL Commissioner has too much power, kinda like Cowboys owner Jerry Jones who wears 3 hats: Owner, President and General Manager .

[elly63]

Off topic

Interesting story shaping up about the Olympic hockey venue in Milan being 3-4 feet short of not only an Olympic sized rink but the smaller NHL regulation rink.

Another problem? Construction is still ongoing, a little more than two months from the opening ceremony. One source well-versed on the building’s status told The Athletic that organizers needed a “big bomb,” not just a fire, lit under them with the clock ticking loudly.

The NHL has been raising alarms about the arena for years, with commissioner Gary Bettman expressing concern as far back as the Board of Governors meeting in December of 2023 about the fact that construction hadn’t started at that point. When a group of league personnel toured the site southeast of Milan in August, it found an arena still under construction, with no infrastructure complete, including no roads built to the building. They’d also yet to break ground on the practice facility.

Life imitating art

• Video Link

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by northernlights99

Two new holes will have to be drilled at each CFL stadium for relocation of the goalposts for 2027.

If you keep one hole as is in same location, the other hole will have to be drilled 130 yards away the other direction.

Its not mathematically possible to get around drilling two new holes with one possible exception stated below.

If a CFL city gets an NFL game, they can just use the CFL layout. When Winnipeg had their NFL game, they used a 90 yard field.

An off center field will work in a stadium like Commonwealth with just one end zone of seating, simply move field closer to one end.

BC Place already had one NFL game in 1998, the American Bowl (49ers versus Seahawks) so those two holes for the NFL layout are already drilled in the floor I assume and covered with plates.

BC Place could use one of those holes as its only offset by the new CFL dead line by 5 yards.

I was at the American Bowl game in '98, it was far from a sell out, maybe 44,000 and that's when the capacity was 60,000. The Backstreet Boys were in concert next door at GM Place that night and they sung an awful anthem before game and got loudly booed.

Interestingly in that game the teams were on opposite sidelines which is the current NFL rule and will be in CFL also next season.

49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice refused to play cause he didn't like the BC Place turf. I did see him during the warm up.

I'd like to know who will pay for the costs of all these changes to the fields. I find it odd that none of the CFL coaches were consulted by the League on these changes.

The CFL Commissioner has too much power, kinda like Cowboys owner Jerry Jones who wears 3 hats: Owner, President and General Manager .

BC Place already has to configure for CFL and MLS so BC Place can easily adapt. The holes for the Goalposts are easy to change and the CFL has said they will cover any stadium that needs to switch back and forth if U Sports etc. does not adapt the new rules

Stewart Johnston was hired by the owners with a mandate to grow the league and revenue, and the vote on the rule changes was unanimous with the owners / BoG so, he cannot do anything without their support. I don't like the way they handled the announcement, but my opinion on this is that rule changes are part of a multi pronged approach going into the new TV Contract for 2027
-Rule changes / field changes for better TV experience
-New Web site, App, Year Long Fantasy Football - need to have all stadiums in the league uniform. Can't have fantasy / or any betting when someone loses because the corner at McGill is angles or a catch is OB because BMO endzones are 17 years long (and turf)
-League wide marketing plan, with better emphasis on the players
-Better possibility of adding a 10th team (in Canada) with the shorter field, it may be easier to get a stadium built with a CPL team in Halifax / QC / Windsor / London etc.

If you go into negotiations with TSN, Sportsnet, Amazon, Netflix or whoever, you can't go in with the same status quo and an aging fan base. Some risks need to happen

[cjones2451]

Lots of work being done on BMO, both permanent and temp seats




Photos from Urban Toronto on X

[J.OT13]

BMO is butt ugly, but shows how a stadium can be incrementally expanded and improved over time.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

-Rule changes / field changes for better TV experience

Can you explain what's "better"?

-New Web site, App, Year Long Fantasy Football - need to have all stadiums in the league uniform. Can't have fantasy / or any betting when someone loses because the corner at McGill is angles or a catch is OB because BMO endzones are 17 years long (and turf)

How does MLB manage to have betting? Every ballpark is different.

-League wide marketing plan, with better emphasis on the players

No rule changes are required for this - they should have been doing this all along.

-Better possibility of adding a 10th team (in Canada) with the shorter field, it may be easier to get a stadium built with a CPL team in Halifax / QC / Windsor / London etc.

If you're building a brand new stadium, you can build it to whatever size you want. And changing the rules of a whole league on off-chance you might one day squeeze a stadium on the Wanderers Grounds is so cart-before-the-horse, I truly don't believe it's a real consideration.

No, I think it's entirely driven by NFL-wannabee-ism.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Can you explain what's "better"?



How does MLB manage to have betting? Every ballpark is different.



No rule changes are required for this - they should have been doing this all along.



If you're building a brand new stadium, you can build it to whatever size you want. And changing the rules of a whole league on off-chance you might one day squeeze a stadium on the Wanderers Grounds is so cart-before-the-horse, I truly don't believe it's a real consideration.

No, I think it's entirely driven by NFL-wannabee-ism.

I am not saying it is perfect

This is the TV angle on the Robert Carter Jr interception, the posts are in he way on the TV angle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCL6_OLZP-I

Won't disagree on MLB, but I think football stadiums should be uniform dimensions. I am not saying what I said is right or wrong, just my thoughts on it. I want the league to grow.

Why is it NFL wannabee-ism? if the league went to 4 downs, or 11 players etc. It would kill the CFL. Why does everyone think the owners are stupid?

[Dalreg]

Anyone arguing for the smaller field size needs their heads examined.

Every argument i have read for the changes does not make the game better for the fans. Shorter field? endzone seats are now further away, yep that's a win. Move the goal posts, blocks tv angles? WTF? Goal posts have been in those positions for decades. Was never an issue before so let's make an artificial reason to justify it?

Maybe NBA courts need to be lengthened to better fit in arenas? Make the court 180 feet long, use up the floor space and bring the endzone seats closer to the action?

Big load of shit in my opinion......

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

Goal posts have been in those positions for decades. Was never an issue before so let's make an artificial reason to justify it?

Doesn't seem to bother the rugby people

[Djeffery]

Brantford Ontario has approved plans for a new downtown arena, seating about 5200. Will be located beside the current arena and the casino. I personally think they are going a little small with it, would have liked to see them push 7000. I think they, like London, will wish they went bigger after the fact. Plans call for construction to start in early 2026 and be finished early 2028. I would guess likely too late to have the team move mid-season given that timeline estimates are often optimistic.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/art...nment-complex/

[AuxTown]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

BMO is butt ugly, but shows how a stadium can be incrementally expanded and improved over time.

At least it will look reasonably like a football stadium (I hope). Remember that one in Russia for the WC....









So much better than the alternative, though; building a new stadium. I think it's great that we are using only existing venues for this WC. Canada, in particular, is getting a lot of use out of our stadiums considering their cost to build.

[jamincan]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

Brantford Ontario has approved plans for a new downtown arena, seating about 5200. Will be located beside the current arena and the casino. I personally think they are going a little small with it, would have liked to see them push 7000. I think they, like London, will wish they went bigger after the fact. Plans call for construction to start in early 2026 and be finished early 2028. I would guess likely too late to have the team move mid-season given that timeline estimates are often optimistic.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/art...nment-complex/

If they can reliably fill at 7000 seat arena, that's great, but I think it's a mistake to oversize them as it really destroys the atmosphere when its half empty.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

Brantford Ontario has approved plans for a new downtown arena, seating about 5200. Will be located beside the current arena and the casino. I personally think they are going a little small with it, would have liked to see them push 7000. I think they, like London, will wish they went bigger after the fact. Plans call for construction to start in early 2026 and be finished early 2028. I would guess likely too late to have the team move mid-season given that timeline estimates are often optimistic.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/art...nment-complex/

Nice to see it will not be named after the Not So Great One!

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Nice to see it will not be named after the Not So Great One!

Only if he wants to pay for it lol. They already have a 4 pad and a main street named for him for free. TD sponsors the current building as of a few months ago, I wonder if they will continue that for the new one.

[northernlights99]

This is the TV angle on the Robert Carter Jr interception, the posts are in the way on the TV angle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCL6_OLZP-I

Actually there are two tv angles for this. So if one angle is blocked the backup shows it clearly.

Maybe NBA courts need to be lengthened to better fit in arenas? Make the court 180 feet long, use up the floor space and bring the endzone seats closer to the action?

NBA Court measures 95 feet by 50. If you've ever been to an NBA game or college game which you obviously have not, you would know the arenas have Retractable seating in end zones to bring the seats forward for basketball.

The seats are Retracted for hockey games whose rink measures 200 feet by 85.

For basketball there is no issue with sightlines for end zone fans. Arenas use Retractable seating ! Go to a Raptors game and see for yourself ! Or watch a game on TV ! How do you you figure the fans are farther back ?

Every argument I have read for the changes does not make the game better for the fans. Shorter field? endzone seats are now further away, yep that's a win. Move the goal posts, blocks tv angles? WTF? Goal posts have been in those positions for decades.

So your argument is because a mistake has been happening for decades we should stay with it? How about when the play is on the 2 yard line, the defense has to avoid backing up into the goal post !

When play is within 10 yards of goal line, the QB has to flank out to the sides to throw to avoid throwing down the middle and hitting the crossbar or goalpost.

Move the goal posts back to the dead line and you open up the center for close in throws like in the NFL.

The NFL had the goalposts on the goal line up until 1974, they corrected that problem for a good reason !

[northernlights99]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

Capacity was 73K from when it opened to 1992.

I was young at the time but while watching the Opening Ceremonies on CBC, I faintly recall they said capacity was 77,000.

maybe they wanted the capacity to match the year: 76,000 for 1976 .

I remember seeing a night shot of the stadium, the lights shining inwards and that huge crowd in Montreal.

If you look closely at the dated photo of the Pink Floyd stage, there are no seats on the UPPER ( read: Upper ! ) deck directly behind that ugly dated permanent scoreboard. There is just bare concrete, no seats; maybe they planned on seating in that area but didn't have time to finish.

Remember that the Stadium was barely finished by Opening Ceremonies, they still had painting and drywall that wasn't completed. The Incline Tower was only a quarter done.

As I recall from last visit, the seats are the same original seats from 1976 which I really find inexcusable. You mean in 50 years of operation they never updated the seats ? apparently not.

Those seats are the same ugly cranky wooden ones from opening. At least in the section I was in.

And whoever decided on yellow and blue colour for the seats ? IF they do replace the seats, which colour should they use ?

BC Place used to be all plastic blue seats, since the new roof now padded seats in a dull red / brown colour, looks awful .

I think The Big O should go with Bright Red !

[Hackslack]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

Anyone arguing for the smaller field size needs their heads examined.

Every argument i have read for the changes does not make the game better for the fans. Shorter field? endzone seats are now further away, yep that's a win. Move the goal posts, blocks tv angles? WTF? Goal posts have been in those positions for decades. Was never an issue before so let's make an artificial reason to justify it?

Maybe NBA courts need to be lengthened to better fit in arenas? Make the court 180 feet long, use up the floor space and bring the endzone seats closer to the action?

Big load of shit in my opinion......

NBA names like, what, a few billion dollars more in revenue compared to the CFL, they obviously got a formula that works… Th CFL? They are still trying to figure out that formula, and rule changes and changes to the field dimensions are part of that.

And when was it the NBA added the three point line? WTF were they doing making such a drastic change??? Surely there were some negative pissed off fans too that argued against it, but look at the game and league now!?…

Almost certain too that the NFL had its posts on the goal line, but moved them to the back… wonder why they were so adamant on change? “Makes zero sense” now look at the behemoth the NFL lol

NHL trapezoid rule for foiled… two line passing allowed in NHL… pitch count in MLB… pick-off limit in MLB… new punting rule in NFL…

Like, why are people bitta so tight when CFL gets introduces change? Elbows up!!

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Hackslack

Like, why are people bitta so tight when CFL gets introduces change? Elbows up!!

I've been waiting for this. I've always looked at Elbows Up like Kramer looked at being forced to wear the yellow ribbon. It's bullshit.

Most of the people who were for these changes never were CFL fans to begin with. Does the Commissioner think these people will suddenly start watching because of these changes? It just gets the league closer to the NFL comparison wise and that's a comparison they will never win.

I have to laugh at things like Trash Madani for example, SN's designated CFL hate piece "reporter". He does an about face and comes out after the changes with an article espousing the virtue of all the changes and how great they are. Is he suddenly going to stop with his hit pieces and do some fair reporting, I don't think so.

Re: Elbows Up. I'm a Canadian patriot, I gave up Anti Americanism in high school when I realized it said more about us than them. Self righteousness and jealousy are two extremely lame traits that some Canadians have.

The very same people who were spouting Elbows Up are the same people who will go back (already have) to worshiping at the NFL altar and shitting on the CFL for just being Canadian. Nuf ced!

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

BMO is butt ugly, but shows how a stadium can be incrementally expanded and improved over time.

Ya it's going to be super embarrassing for Toronto when the entire planet sees Toronto next year.