York Lions Stadium

History

Initial plans had a multi-purpose athletics and soccer stadium to be built somewhere in the vicinity of Hamilton, Ontario; however, the final plans separated the soccer and athletics venues. The soccer stadium, Tim Hortons Field, was built on the site of Ivor Wynne Stadium, while the athletics stadium was built at York University. During the games the venue was known as the CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am Athletics Stadium.

The stadium was expected to seat approximately 5,000 spectators – 3,000 permanent and 2,000 temporary. During the games an additional 7,500 temporary seats were added, bringing total capacity to 12,500. The facility cost roughly $45.5 million, with $34.9 million attributed to the design and construction with the rest for running costs.

On May 26, 2016, it was announced that the stadium would play host to the 2017 North American Indigenous Games. The stadium will be the site of the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the athletics competitions in July 2017. In the same year, the stadium was also used as an event facility for the Invictus Games.

In early 2021, the stadium's track and grass field was replaced with a larger FIFA and World Rugby certified artificial turf surface. The renovations also allow for the playing surface to be covered with an air-supported dome during winter months.

Professional sports

The Toronto Arrows, a professional rugby union club which joined Major League Rugby in 2019, played exhibition games in 2018 at York Lions Stadium. However, during its inaugural 2019 MLR season the team split its home games between Alumni Field and Lamport Stadium. They hosted their games at York Lions Stadium from 2022 to 2023, before the team ceased operations.{{cite web|title=Toronto Arrows To Not Compete In 2024 MLR Season

Inter Toronto FC, a soccer team in the Canadian Premier League, has played their home games at York Lions Stadium since their inaugural season in 2019, when they were known as York9 FC.

Toronto FC II, a soccer team in MLS Next Pro, began playing their home games at York Lions Stadium in 2022.

AFC Toronto, a soccer team in the Northern Super League, began playing their home games at York Lions Stadium in 2025

Major competitions hosted

Gallery

York Lions Stadium during the 2015 Pan Am Games.jpg|The stadium in 2015 York Lions Stadium photo by Djuradj Vujcic.jpg|The stadium in 2021 York Lions Stadium panoramic photo by Djuradj Vujcic.jpg|A panoramic of the stadium in 2021

References

References

1. "York Lions Stadium Conversion".
2. (May 7, 2015). "Last piece of track laid at Pan Am Stadium". [[The Canadian Press]].
3. Levinson-King, Robin. (2015-08-07). "Enthusiastic opening for the biggest Parapan Am Games ever". The Toronto Star.
4. [http://www.toronto2015.org/assets/files/pdf/Toronto-2015-Bid-Book-EN.pdf Toronto 2015 bid book] {{webarchive. link. (January 10, 2012)
5. (September 16, 2015). "Pan.de.mo.ni.um in the stadium takes place Sept. 21". YFile - York University.
6. (September 17, 2015). "CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium Handed Back to York University". [[CNW Group]].
7. [http://www.toronto2015.org/lang/en/gallery/news/to2015-officially-breaks-ground-on-new-athletics-stadium-at-york-university.html TO2015 officially breaks ground on new athletics stadium at York University] {{webarchive. link. (November 29, 2012)
8. Laskaris, Sam. (June 2, 2016). "North American Indigenous Games 2017 Get $7 Million From Canada and Ontario Governments". [[Indian Country Today Media Network]].
9. Smith Cross, Jessica. (March 9, 2016). "North American Indigenous Games coming to Toronto next summer". [[Metro News#North America.
10. (May 27, 2016). "York University to serve as site of 2017 North American Indigenous Games". [[York University.
11. (May 26, 2016). "Government of Canada Supports the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games". [[Yahoo! Finance]].
12. "Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games - Venues". [[North American Indigenous Games]].
13. (July 28, 2021). "York University's York Lions Stadium moves from track to turf in $8.2-million transformation".
14. (August 18, 2020). "Coming Soon: York University's State-of-the-Art Seasonal Sports Dome, One of the Largest in Ontario".
15. (2017-11-13). "New York and Ontario in Major League Rugby talks".
16. (2017-08-25). "Ontario Arrows to launch Elite Rugby Team in September".
17. Davidson, Neil. (2017-09-08). "Ontario Arrows take first step toward becoming pro rugby outfit". [[Toronto Star]].
18. (2018-03-07). "MLR reveals Finals Locations and Expansion Plans".
19. (2018-03-06). "ONTARIO ARROWS ANNOUNCE YORK UNIVERSITY AS 2018 HOME VENUE". [[Rugby Canada]].
20. (2019-01-17). "Toronto Arrows Announce Ticketing Details, Home Venues for 2019 Major League Rugby Season". Toronto Arrows.
21. (2021-11-09). "ARROWS ANNOUNCE 2022 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE". [[Toronto Arrows]].
22. (April 4, 2022). "Toronto FC II announce York Lions stadium as home field for 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season". Toronto FC II Communications.
23. Staff. (2024-08-28). "AFC Toronto Announces Stadium for 2025 Inaugural Season".