This article will address the topic of Saputo Stadium, which has acquired increasing relevance in recent years. Saputo Stadium is a topic that has aroused the interest of researchers, experts and the general public, due to its impact on different areas of society. Since its emergence, Saputo Stadium has generated debates, analyzes and reflections around its implications, consequences and possible solutions. This article will seek to offer a comprehensive view of Saputo Stadium, exploring its origins, evolution, current challenges and future perspectives. It is important to understand the importance of Saputo Stadium today, as its influence extends to fields as diverse as technology, politics, culture, economics and the environment.
![]() | |
![]() Saputo Stadium in 2023 | |
Address | 4750 Sherbrooke Street E |
---|---|
Location | Montreal, Quebec |
Coordinates | 45°33′47″N 73°33′9″W / 45.56306°N 73.55250°W |
Public transit | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Owner | Saputo Inc. |
Operator | CF Montréal |
Capacity | 19,619[1] |
Field size | 110 by 70 yards (101 m × 64 m) |
Surface | Grass |
Construction | |
Broke ground | April 18, 2007 |
Opened | May 18, 2008 |
Expanded | June 16, 2012 |
Construction cost | C$47 million[2][3][4] |
Architect |
|
Services engineer | CIMA+ Engineering[5] |
General contractor | Broccolini Construction Inc. |
Main contractors | Dant Clayton Corporation |
Tenants | |
CF Montréal (MLS) (2012–present) Montreal Impact (NASL) (2008–2011) Montreal Impact U23 (PDL) (2014) Montreal Impact Academy (CSL) (2010–2012) Canada men's national soccer team (2008–2010) FC Montreal (USL) (2015–2016) |
Saputo Stadium (French: Stade Saputo) is a soccer-specific stadium at Olympic Park in the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The stadium opened on May 21, 2008, and is the current home of CF Montréal (formerly the Montreal Impact). The stadium is built on the former practice track and field site on the grounds of the 1976 Summer Olympics, while the stadium's east side has a view of Olympic Stadium's inclined tower. It has a capacity of 19,619,[1] making it the second-largest soccer-specific stadium in Canada, after BMO Field in Toronto.
The stadium cost CA$17 million ($23.4 million in 2023 dollars)[6] to build, with $7.5 million paid by the Saputo family and the rest financed on a 25-year term.[7] Saputo Stadium is now CF Montréal's administrative headquarters and also includes a training field, 34 corporate suites and full player welfare areas. The complex covers approximately 150,000 square metres (1,600,000 sq ft). It was designed and fabricated by Dant Clayton Corporation and built by Broccolini Construction Inc.
The stadium features a natural grass playing surface and was reportedly preferred over BMO Field and its then-artificial turf by members of the Canada men's national soccer team.[8] BMO Field has since installed a heated and irrigated hybrid (mixed artificial and natural grass) field.[9]
Anticipating a Montreal entry into Major League Soccer, plans were made to expand the stadium from its initial 13,034 capacity to 20,000 to cope with the anticipated boost in attendance.[10][11] The Quebec government put $23 million for the renovation and expansion of the stadium (the total cost of the stadium was therefore about $40 million). The construction plans went into effect after MLS granted Montreal their nineteenth franchise, which began play in the 2012 season.[12]
The stadium welcomed its first Impact home game on May 19, 2008, a scoreless draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Impact's first goal in the stadium was scored by Rocco Placentino against the Charleston Battery on June 13, 2008. This also gave the Impact its first victory in the stadium, with a score of 1–0. The Impact's first game in the newly renovated and expanded Saputo was played on June 16, 2012, against the Seattle Sounders FC. The Impact won the game 4–1.
The only official international matches played at Saputo Stadium were two matches played by Canada men's national soccer team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF).