While it’s always the result on the ice, pitch, court, or field that matters the most, stadiums are a huge part of the experience for fans and can even give home teams an edge if crowded out by avid supporters.
Canada is home to many grand stadiums and arenas that revel in creating an uplifting surrounding for the home team and a hostile atmosphere for those that dare to visit.
Here’s the list of all of the biggest sports stadiums and sports arenas in Canada, ranked by official capacity:
Canada’s Largest Sports Stadiums and Arenas
- Commonwealth Stadium
- Olympic Stadium
- BC Place
- Rogers Centre
- McMahon Stadium
- Mosaic Stadium
- IG Field
- BMO Field TD Place Stadium
- Tim Hortons Field
- Centre Bell
- Rogers Place
- Canadian Tire Centre
- Videotron Centre
Read on for a closer look at the biggest sports stadiums and arenas Canada has to offer in each of the leading sports.
What is the Biggest Sports Stadium in Canada?
The Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, is the biggest sports stadium in Canada. Opened in 1978 with a capacity of 42,500, it has since been extended, with the 2012 upgrades giving it an official capacity of 56,302.
This means that the CFL’s Edmonton Elks call the largest stadium in Canada their home. Beyond sports, the venue managed to fit in over 66,000 people for a U2 concert in 2011.
Close behind the Commonwealth Stadium is the Olympic Stadium and its official capacity of 56,040. Opened two years before the now-home of the Elks, “The Big O” doesn’t have a resident professional sports team right now.
To many, it’s flagged as a C$1.5 billion white elephant, costing millions since opening in repairs and maintenance. Quebec even refused to financially support Montréal’s bid to use it as a FIFA World Cup 2026 venue.
Tweet more! Seriously. The #Esks & @TELUS are bringing FREE WiFi to Commonwealth Stadium pic.twitter.com/1tMgT1oLuE
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) August 20, 2015
What is the Biggest Hockey Arena in Canada?
The biggest hockey arena in Canada is Centre Bell in Montréal: home to the Montréal Canadiens. Built in 1996, the indoor venue seats a maximum of 21,700 people, with 400 fewer fitting in for hockey than basketball.
Not only is Centre Bell the largest indoor and largest hockey arena in Canada, but it’s also the largest ice hockey arena in the world. Even with its record capacity, the Habs rarely fail to rank as one of the most highly-attended NHL teams.
This is even with the recent, mostly lacklustre seasons from the Canadiens. In the top odds of sport betting Canada has to offer, the Habs are out at +25000 to win the Stanley Cup, while the Edmonton Oilers are in with a shot at +1100.
Edmonton also happens to be home to the second-largest indoor sports arena in Canada. Rogers Place can seat up to 20,734 people but is limited to just over 18,600 for Oilers games.
A look inside the Bell Centre. #GuyGuyGuy pic.twitter.com/aLRExSYbxv
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 24, 2022
What is the Biggest Baseball Stadium in Canada?
The biggest stadium in Canada with a resident baseball team is the Roger Centre. Home to the Toronto Blue Jays of the MLB, the turfed arena has a capacity of 41,500, but that did expand to over 68,000 for WrestleMania X8 in 2002.
Formerly known as the SkyDome, Rogers Centre has played host to several different outdoor sports, is the former home of the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, and was home to the Toronto Raptors for a time.
The ill-fated Bills Toronto Series would also utilize the massive Rogers Centre for its games in Canada, leading to a contingent of Canadian fans in the area picking the now-mighty Buffalo Bills on the NFL lines each game week.
We're getting closer...Conversions, Grounds Crew and Astroturf teams are working hard to get the field ready! pic.twitter.com/iMST8quyvm
— Rogers Centre (@RogersCentre) March 28, 2016
What is the Biggest Basketball Arena in Canada?
As it stands, the biggest arena in Canada with a resident major basketball team is the Scotiabank Arena in Downtown Toronto.
Originally constructed in 1938 and reopened after a reconstruction in 1999, the Scotiabank Arena is home to the NBA’s Toronto Raptors as well as the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs.
Basketball games will see 19,800 seats made available, while that number has to shrink to 18,800 for hockey and lacrosse games.
The Stage is Set pic.twitter.com/q2RLY9BNjL
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) October 19, 2022
What is the Biggest Football Stadium in Canada?
The biggest stadium housing a professional football team in Canada right now is also the highest-capacity stadium in the country: Commonwealth Stadium.
As the home of the Edmonton Elks since 1978, Commonwealth Stadium continues to deliver the highest attendances in the CFL when at full capacity.
Even if the Buffalo Bills still came north to Rogers Centre each season, the fans of the Edmonton Elks could show up and fill out the Commonwealth Stadium in larger numbers.
What is the Biggest Soccer Stadium in Canada?
As the home of the Vancouver Whitecaps, BC Place in British Columbia stands as the biggest Canadian stadium with a resident soccer team.
At full capacity, the Vancouver venue can hold 54,500 people and also hosts the home games of the BC Lions in the CFL. Cementing it as a Canadian soccer haven, BC Place has secured its place among the 2026 FIFA World Cup host stadiums.
More than 23,000 tickets have been sold!
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) July 26, 2022
Want to be a part of the largest crowd ever at BC Place for a #CanChamp Final? Get your tickets now 🍁#VWFC | #VANvTOR
For their resident professional sports teams and overall capacities, those are the biggest sports stadiums in Canada.
*Credit for all images in this article belongs to AP Photo*
