Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[Djeffery]

Let's not forget we have seen this before in a very similar configuration, although BMO will come out of this with a little more permanent infrastructure at the north end. Late 2016 and Jan 1 2017, BMO hosted the Grey Cup, MLS Cup and NHL Centennial Classic with these extra stands. Other than an overheard shot of the stadium at the opening of a game, there will be so little showing what the whole place looks likes that the only people that will care are the people in Toronto already whining about it. I think the World Cup renos look better than the temporary job that was done 10 years ago.

[J.OT13]

Sorry if this was covered, but what is the new permutant infrastructure?

[GreatTallNorth2]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Look, I love stadiums, and BMO is no NFL palace, but "disgusting" and "embarrassment" are such hyperbole, that I can't really take anything else you say seriously.



To me it has a very "English rugby/soccer stadium" charm - I like that you can see that it's been expanded over the years. It's visual history.

I am sorry you have not travelled very much, perhaps in the future you will be able to.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Sorry if this was covered, but what is the new permutant infrastructure?

The North End will have a permanent structure with suites and a rooftop patio. I think the area between the suites and the field will change to more permanent with the 2027 CFL field changes

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

The North End will have a permanent structure with suites and a rooftop patio. I think the area between the suites and the field will change to more permanent with the 2027 CFL field changes

That's a pretty nice addition.

[Hackslack]

Potential replacement opportunity of McMahon stadium. I have always personally considered this an option, and would be perfect location and atmosphere if they can make it work.

Cowley also touted the opportunity — though he stressed that’s all it is at the moment — for an expanded GMC Stadium to eventually become the new home field for the Calgary Stampeders. However, he stressed that such a project would have to be feasible without compromising the rodeo grounds and further analysis is required.

https://calgaryherald.com/news/stampede-master-plan

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by GreatTallNorth2

I am sorry you have not travelled very much, perhaps in the future you will be able to.

I've travelled plenty. I've attended games at:


Hamilton Stadium, Hamilton
Ivor Wynne Stadium, Hamilton
BMO Field, Toronto
Molson Stadium, Montreal
TD Place Stadium, Ottawa

Highmark Stadium, Buffalo
Soldier Field, Chicago

Orange Velodrome, Marseille
Groupama Stadium, Lyon
Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille

And done stadium tours of:

Twickenham, London
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
Camp Nou, Barcelona

And that's just rectangular field sports. Not counting baseball, concerts, hockey, lacrosse, etc.

Pretty foolish on your part, to think that my tastes in what I like about stadiums is due to lack of exposure, and not just difference of opinion.

How embarrassing for you.

[GreatTallNorth2]

Originally Posted by jonny24

How embarrassing for you.

LOL

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by Hackslack

Potential replacement opportunity of McMahon stadium. I have always personally considered this an option, and would be perfect location and atmosphere if they can make it work.





https://calgaryherald.com/news/stampede-master-plan

I’m very curious about the logistics of building a joint football/rodeo/chuck wagon racing stadium. It’s a great location but this just sounds like another CalgaryNEXT 2.0 mistake.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

I’m very curious about the logistics of building a joint football/rodeo/chuck wagon racing stadium. It’s a great location but this just sounds like another CalgaryNEXT 2.0 mistake.

It was investigated and deemed feasible during the Olympic bid exploration process. In the end, to have multiple facilities was deemed superior, and renovations at both the Stampede and McMahon were planned.

Whether that analysis holds up 10 years hence, I doubt it.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Berklon

And do people expect Toronto to build a whole new stadium just for a few World Cup games?

Exactly.

But there's always Taylor Swift.

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

I’m very curious about the logistics of building a joint football/rodeo/chuck wagon racing stadium. It’s a great location but this just sounds like another CalgaryNEXT 2.0 mistake.

The track is really only used during the 10 days of the Stampede, otherwise it sits empty. I do question how feasible it would be to either bury the field during stampede with a couple feet of dirt, or to have a retractable field that is moved away during Stampede.

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

The track is really only used during the 10 days of the Stampede, otherwise it sits empty. I do question how feasible it would be to either bury the field during stampede with a couple feet of dirt, or to have a retractable field that is moved away during Stampede.

I imagine it would have to be the latter a’la the Arizona Cardinals’ moveable turf, no? Burying the turf would ruin the turf and could pose an increased safety risk for the horses.

[ericmacm]

I do not like the idea of a dual-purpose Stampede/CFL stadium. I think multi-purpose stadiums hosting both baseball and football have largely been shown to be a failure in terms of the fan experience and longevity, and I would expect about the same for trying to accommodate something as logistically complex as the Stampede along with CFL football.

[craner]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

The track is really only used during the 10 days of the Stampede, otherwise it sits empty. I do question how feasible it would be to either bury the field during stampede with a couple feet of dirt, or to have a retractable field that is moved away during Stampede.

That’s the two possible options I see as well.

Here is an article:
Calgary Stampede master plan could spell the long, slow end for McMahon Stadium
http://https://livewirecalgary.com/2026/03/18/calgary-stampede-master-plan-could-spell-the-long-slow-end-for-mcmahon-stadium/

[AuxTown]

Of course they don't have to, but are there any plans to wrap the outside of the temporary stands at BMO for the WC? The stadium from above is going to look great, particularly when it's jammed with 45000 fans. From the outside, though, that scaffolding looks gross. Going to be tons of exposure with it being one of the WC opening matches so hopefully all will look good in time.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by AuxTown

Of course they don't have to, but are there any plans to wrap the outside of the temporary stands at BMO for the WC? The stadium from above is going to look great, particularly when it's jammed with 45000 fans. From the outside, though, that scaffolding looks gross. Going to be tons of exposure with it being one of the WC opening matches so hopefully all will look good in time.

The scaffolding will not be exposed according to the renders, but to spend $100's of millions on permanent stands does not make sense. Currently, Toronto does not need a main stadium over 30K seats





Once everything is in place and people are in seats watching games, 99% of the people that will see it on TV will think it is fine, and I think a lot of the people in person do not really give a 🞵🞵🞵🞵 if they are temp seats, as long as they can see and they don't collapse

[northernlights99]

Toronto's Rogers Center now holds only about 40,000, sadly so many seats were removed.

A New NFL stadium for Toronto would require 60,000 to 80,000 seats. The smallest stadium in the NFL is Soldier Field in Chicago at 61,000 and that is considered a small stadium.

Crowds for Sailor Twift's Canadian shows were on the mild low end compared to many other markets.

She drew 90,000 in London and Australia so Canada's attendance figures are nothing to get too excited about.

I could see an upcoming Sailor show in Montreal getting up to 70,000. Olympic has had 60,000 in for a CFL Eastern Final without end zone seats on the Video Screen side.

That's where Sailor's stage would go so no seating there obviously.

However the Olympic Stadium field could accommodate 10,000, their floor is bigger than BC Place.

Which is why they should go ahead with a Summer show under the stars regardless if this fancy new roof is in yet, as long as the New Technical Ring is a go.

Biggest crowd ever at Olympic was a concert that drew 78,000 and that's with the Video Screen end closed off.

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Exactly.

But there's always Taylor Swift.

[Nite]

BMO Field Today

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by northernlights99

Toronto's Rogers Center now holds only about 40,000, sadly so many seats were removed.

A New NFL stadium for Toronto would require 60,000 to 80,000 seats. The smallest stadium in the NFL is Soldier Field in Chicago at 61,000 and that is considered a small stadium.

More seats for the Rogers Center doesn't matter, as it's only configuration for sports is for baseball. No use talking about an NFL stadium when there hasn't been anyone with intentions to build a stadium, never mind someone willing to pay big bucks to bring a team to Toronto.

Originally Posted by northernlights99

Crowds for Sailor Twift's Canadian shows were on the mild low end compared to many other markets.

She drew 90,000 in London and Australia so Canada's attendance figures are nothing to get too excited about.

She was still able to play Toronto and Vancouver to 50k fans, so who gives a 🞵🞵🞵🞵 if she didn't play to a bigger crowd? Unless you have money invested in her tours, why would it matter to you if she didn't make as much money?