Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[Hackslack]

Originally Posted by JHikka

The fascination with capacity and stadium sizes is a bit concerning. Even if Canada has Olympic and Rogers hosting for maximum crowd they're still dwarfed by many of the American stadia. Canada should be focusing its efforts on stadiums tailor-made for the event/sport, not ones that are simply large for the sake of being large.

The thing with Montreal is that they've been a bit lacklustre in supporting past FIFA events. Their capacity% was below that of a number of other host cities for the WWC, including Ottawa. Montreal's a big event town but I'm not sold on Olympic being the best venue for a multitude of reasons. Having it host just because isn't good enough.

I still stand by my assertion that BMO is the best soccer stadium in Canada with the best current situation for expansion. BMO today isn't ready but nothing is stopping it from being upgraded within reach. It's going to be the primary soccer stadium in Canada for decades to come...neglecting it for 2026 would be a foolish mistake.

I agree too that BMO is the most ready for the event, with Edmonton close behind. Money would need to be spent for BMO to increase its capacity in Toronto, and in Edmonton money would need to be spent to install the grass, but seeing as Edmonton previously had grass (3 yrs ago? Artificial turf got installed) it shouldn't be much to switch it back to grass. I'd assume it'd cost a lot less in Edmonton to revert back to grass than it would to install grass in BC Place and Olympic or Skydome...

And having said that, if BC were to install grass, at least their stadium could be open air, whereas Olympic stadium isn't, so an additional huge cost would be to address Olympics roofing issue.

Also I mentioned before too that as Calgary is in the running to host the olympics around the same time it may be an opportunity for them to build a world class stadium for the olympics, soccer World Cup, then the Stanpeders to host as full time tenants... but I'd definitely assume there is no way 2 Alberta teams would be hosts.

[wave46]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

Canada is a minor co-host in this arrangement. You really think host country being automatically invited implies to this?

I don't see why we wouldn't, especially with the expanded format.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by Jammon

It is for the WC. It seats 60,000 for soccer games. When you are showcasing Canada to the world and have a huge soccer following in Montreal, there is no chance that stadium won't be used. I've been to BMO field and am inclined to agree with some of the other posters that it's not a great stadium. If you had a choice between BMO and Skydome, what would you pick?

BMO for sure. It's actually designed around a soccer pitch. I haven't seen a soccer game at Skydome. I have in Montreal. It was still a great atmosphere but, the stadium was clearing not designed around soccer. That's what matters more to me. I'm sure the same will apply to avid soccer fans hightailing it to Canada to watch their team play in the World Cup finals.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by wave46

I don't see why we wouldn't, especially with the expanded format.

I would think the expanded format is to allow more teams to earn positions in the final event over awarding multiple host nations free passes. Obviously, money still talks. Having Canada play in Canada will be more profitable.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by JHikka

The fascination with capacity and stadium sizes is a bit concerning. Even if Canada has Olympic and Rogers hosting for maximum crowd they're still dwarfed by many of the American stadia. Canada should be focusing its efforts on stadiums tailor-made for the event/sport, not ones that are simply large for the sake of being large.

The thing with Montreal is that they've been a bit lacklustre in supporting past FIFA events. Their capacity% was below that of a number of other host cities for the WWC, including Ottawa. Montreal's a big event town but I'm not sold on Olympic being the best venue for a multitude of reasons. Having it host just because isn't good enough.

I still stand by my assertion that BMO is the best soccer stadium in Canada with the best current situation for expansion. BMO today isn't ready but nothing is stopping it from being upgraded within reach. It's going to be the primary soccer stadium in Canada for decades to come...neglecting it for 2026 would be a foolish mistake.

How many FIFA events have there been in Montreal or Canada though? You keep focusing on the WWC but I had a look at Montreal's attendance and it wasn't that bad considering it didn't have games involving Canada to pack in 50k people like Vancouver did. Attendance in Montreal wasn't dramatically different from Edmonton where there were also games with sub-20k attendance in the 15k range.

BTW I am almost positive that international friendlies in Montreal at the Big O over the years have drawn consistently better than friendlies in Toronto at Skydome.

And the Impact have most of Canada's club soccer attendance records.

Saying that Montreal does not support soccer (club or international) is a strawman.

Soccer is well supported in all three of Canada's biggest cities. That's the reality.

[king10]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

Canada is a minor co-host in this arrangement. You really think host country being automatically invited implies to this?

yes. Victor Montagliani will ensure Canada has an automatic entry. Especially with 48 teams.

[king10]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

I would think the expanded format is to allow more teams to earn positions in the final event over awarding multiple host nations free passes. Obviously, money still talks. Having Canada play in Canada will be more profitable.

the expanded format will allow for 39 teams to qualify to 2026 vs the usual 31 or 30. 3 entries does not eliminate additional teams earning positions.

[blueandgoldguy]

Unless Olympic Stadium is renovated, I do not see Montreal hosting any games in the World Cup. Saputo Stadium only seats 20,000 and is not easily expandable (probably an impossibility) to 35 - 40,000 like BMO Field.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

Unless Olympic Stadium is renovated, I do not see Montreal hosting any games in the World Cup. Saputo Stadium only seats 20,000 and is not easily expandable (probably an impossibility) to 35 - 40,000 like BMO Field.

I guess you missed the posts about the plans for the Big O being renovated, World Cup or not.

[thenoflyzone]

Originally Posted by JHikka

One of them needs close to half a billion to be suitable for use under a timeline that I find highly suspect. Why include Saputo on the list if Olympic is such a surefire inclusion?

Saputo is there as a bid for a training base. They want a team to set up camp there for the tournament. Probably same for Ottawa.

Originally Posted by SaskScraper

I agree with you elly63, out of all the cities in Canada to potentially host World Cup, Vancouver and Edmonton would be top two based on past experience of holding large international sporting events including the largest soccer matches to come to Canada in recent years. The rest of the world really wouldn't care what cities in Canada host. At least Edmonton with second tallest city skyline in the country in next couple of years would at least give it a big city look to the event especially with Commonwealth being largest operable stadium in Canada.

Largest soccer matches in Canada? I believe Montreal has the record. 61,004 in 2015.

Tall skylines? Really?

[Oilkountry]

Originally Posted by logan5

Toronto will likely have an NFL stadium by 2026, so there's your world cup venue.

oh god...shut up already

[Oilkountry]

Originally Posted by esquire

Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton would make perfect sense, but I'd be surprised if Canada ended up with 4 sites.

I wouldn't rule out Calgary having something by then.

[GreaterMontréal]

At least Edmonton with second tallest city skyline in the country

I hope your mass transit system will be up and runnin by that time.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by thenoflyzone

Saputo is there as a bid for a training base. They want a team to set up camp there for the tournament. Probably same for Ottawa.



Largest soccer matches in Canada? I believe Montreal has the record. 61,004 in 2015.

Tall skylines? Really?

Things can sometimes get weird on here.

[GreaterMontréal]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Things can sometimes get weird on here.

for the ambiance
• Video Link

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by GreaterMontréal

for the ambiance
• Video Link

Je sais.

BTW the Big O isn't really in as bad shape as some people seem to think it is.

[wave46]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Je sais.

BTW the Big O isn't really in as bad shape as some people seem to think it is.

My understanding that the biggest weakness of the Big O is the roof, which shouldn't be much of an issue in the summertime.

[king10]

Originally Posted by thenoflyzone

Largest soccer matches in Canada? I believe Montreal has the record. 61,004 in 2015.

Mtl has the record from the 1976 olympics gold medal soccer match. 71,619

[Franco401]

Originally Posted by wave46

My understanding that the biggest weakness of the Big O is the roof, which shouldn't be much of an issue in the summertime.

Yeah. As I have mentioned earlier, the renovations being undertaken could be scheduled to have the roof and interior upgrades done in time for 2026.

[craner]

Originally Posted by wave46

My understanding that the biggest weakness of the Big O is the roof, which shouldn't be much of an issue in the summertime.

That's what I'm thinking too. Focus on renos that don't involve the roof for the WC as you don't need a roof for that event anyway. You can always add a roof after the WC (similar to what happened for the '76 Olympics).
Just make sure no concrete is going to fall.