Blue Jays unveil $300m renovation of Rogers Centre

The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled the scope and first renderings of a multi-year $300 million privately funded renovation, which will transform Rogers Centre from a stadium into a ballpark through a series of projects focused on modernising the fan experience and building world-class player facilities.

This renovation to Rogers Centre will deliver an enhanced ballpark experience for fans of Canada’s team so they can gather to cheer on the Blue Jays and make cherished memories with family and friends, as they have for the last 33 years.

We proudly support the efforts of Mark and the entire Blue Jays leadership team as they embark on this project, and we have the utmost confidence in their ability to build both a winning team on the field and a modern ballpark that meets the evolving needs of our passionate Blue Jays fans.

Rogers Centre was conceptualised as a multi-purpose stadium when it opened in 1989 and has not undergone a large-scale renovation in its 33-year history. The scope of this project will address the most important challenges with the current stadium, while not rushing the necessary long-term work needed to maintain the ballpark for future generations of fans.

A series of projects are phased over the coming two to three offseasons, focused on the interior of the building, including the 100L and 200L outfield, 500L, 100L infield, and field level (for clarity, the exterior of the building, turf field modification, and roof are not in the current scope).

Populous was a Presenting Partner Sponsor for the 2022 edition of ALSD International, with a focus on optimising revenue through New Builds, Renovations and Service Expansions. See what you missed by watching the wrap video here.

Projects will be completed during the offseason as to not impact baseball activity in-season.

2022-23 offseason projects, completed for Opening Day 2023

• 100 level and 200 level outfield
  • Creation of multiple new social spaces with patios, drink rails, bars, and viewing platforms
  • Raised bullpens surrounded by traditional and new bleacher seats, as well as social viewing areas that look into the bullpens to increase fan and player interaction
  • 100L seats brought forward to the new outfield walls to brings fans closer to the game
• 500 level 
  • Two new social decks in right and left field
  • Replacing every 500L seat from the originals when the building opened

Field level ­

• Players’ family room
• 5,000 sq. ft. weight room
• Staff locker rooms

2023-2024 offseason projects *designs and full scope in progress

• • 100 level infield
  • Field level premium clubs and social spaces
  • Clubhouses and player facilities

After a successful partnership on the Blue Jays Player Development Complex, the club is once again working with industry-leading Populous on architectural design.

To ensure the renovation’s scope reflects Blue Jays fan desires, the organisation completed important research to influence designs, including direct fan feedback and market research; visiting other facilities and ballparks; learnings from Player Development Complex usage; and Populous partnership for best-in-class input.