The Rogers Centre at a glance
The Rogers Centre is the premier stadium in the city of Toronto, Canada. With a seating capacity of nearly 50,000, it hosts a wide array of sporting and cultural events.
An unconventional origin
The stadium has a unique backstory. In 1982, the 70th Grey Cup, the championship game of the Canadian Football League, took place in an open-air stadium. The event was watched by nearly 8 million viewers, but those in attendance faced miserable conditions. Rain, wind, and cold temperatures made the experience a disaster. The following day, thousands of fans gathered at Toronto City Hall to cheer on the winning team and began chanting "we want a dome." Seven months later, the Prime Minister, who had been soaked during the game, announced a commission to begin work on a covered stadium project.
Construction took three years, and the facility opened in May 1989. It was originally named Skydome before Rogers Communications acquired it in 2005 and rebranded it as the Rogers Centre.
Events
The stadium hosts a vast range of events. A tour of the facility is an interesting way to go behind the scenes to see the field, the locker rooms, and the various shops and restaurants.
The venue has hosted many types of events, including American football, Canadian football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and track and field. You can also catch Supercross, professional wrestling, concerts, Ultimate Fighting Championship, monster truck rallies, or even Disney on Ice shows.
Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, this modern stadium is as much a draw for its design as it is for the variety of its programming.
The Rogers Centre is the stadium where all the big sporting events happen. It is located not far from the CN Tower. I was lucky enough to catch a baseball game, and the atmosphere was electric. If you have the chance to see a baseball game, it is an experience you have to do. It is really thrilling to think that you are taking part in an American style show. The stadium is easy to get to by public transit, and you can take a walk along Lake Ontario after a day full of excitement.