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{{Short description|Football stadium at the University of Toronto}}{{About|the stadium in Toronto|the former stadium in Vancouver|Varsity Stadium (Vancouver)}}{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}

factoids

| pushpin_map = Canada Toronto#Canada Ontario#Canada| pushpin_relief = yes| pushpin_map_caption = Location in TorontoLocation in OntarioLocation in CanadaTorontotorontoSt. George station>St. George| broke_ground =| opened = 1898 (athletic grounds)1911 (first stadium)2007 (present stadium)| expanded = 1924, 1950| demolished = 2002 (first stadium)| owner = University of Toronto| operator = University of Toronto| surface = grass (1898–2005) Polytan Ligaturf (2006–present)| construction_cost = $61.7 million| architect = Craig and Madill (1929–1930) Diamond+Schmitt Architects (2007)| project_manager =| main_contractors =Toronto Varsity Blues (U Sports) (1898–present)Toronto Argonauts (Canadian Football League East Division>IRFU/Canadian Football League) (1898–1907, 1916–1958)Vanier Cup (1965–72, 1976–88)Toronto Rifles (Continental Football League>ConFL) (1966–1967) Toronto City (United Soccer Association) (1967) Toronto Falcons (1967–1968)>Toronto Falcons (National Professional Soccer League (1967)/North American Soccer League (1968–84)>NASL) (1967–68)Toronto Metros-Croatia (North American Soccer League (1968–84)) (1975–78)Toronto Blizzard (1971–84)>Toronto Blizzard (North American Soccer League (1968–84)/American Professional Soccer League>APSL) (1984, 1993)Toronto Lynx (United Soccer Leagues) (1997–2001)Toronto Rush (American Ultimate Disc League>AUDL) (2013–2017, 2019–present)North Toronto Nitros (L1O) (2016–2018)| seating_capacity = 500 (1898–1910)10,500 (1911–23)16,000 (1924–49)21,739 (1950–2001)1,500 (2003–05)5,000 (2007–present)| dimensions =}}Varsity Stadium is an outdoor collegiate football stadium located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is home to the Toronto Varsity Blues, the athletic teams of the University of Toronto. Athletic events have been hosted on the site since 1898; the current stadium was built in 2007 to replace the original permanent stadium built in 1911. Varsity Stadium is also a former home of the Toronto Argonauts, and has previously hosted the Grey Cup, the Vanier Cup, several matches of the 1976 Summer Olympics soccer tournament, and the final game of the North American Soccer League’s 1984 Soccer Bowl series (which was also the last game played by the original NASL). It is located next to Varsity Arena.

History

Athletic teams of the University of Toronto have used the site as an athletic ground since 1898. In 1911, the university opened Varsity Stadium.

First stadium

Canadian sprinter Percy Williams set a world record in the 100 metres with a time of 10.3 seconds at Varsity Stadium during the Canadian Track and Field Championships in 1930.WEB, Percy Williams: World’s Fastest Human,www.samuelhawley.com/percyfastesthuman.html, samuelhawley.com, 31 August 2018, Samuel Hawley, File:Argos v Rough Riders 1924.jpg|thumb|left|A game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Ottawa Rough RidersOttawa Rough RidersVarsity Stadium has for its entire history been host to the University of Toronto’s collegiate Canadian football team, the Varsity Blues. However it was, until the opening of Exhibition Stadium in 1959, the home of the Toronto Argonauts of what would become the Canadian Football League. Although it has not hosted a meaningful CFL game in almost half a century, it still holds the record for the number of times any stadium has hosted the Canadian professional football championship game, the Grey Cup. Capacity of the stadium has varied with time, but peaked at about 22,000 in the 1950s although, with the use of temporary bleachers, a record crowd of 27,425 watched the Edmonton Eskimos defeat the Montreal Alouettes 50–27 in the 1956 Grey Cup final. Perhaps the most famous Canadian football game played in the Stadium was the 1950 Mud Bowl for the Grey Cup championship.During the 1976 Summer Olympics, Varsity Stadium hosted several soccer matches, and was the site of the semi-final game between Brazil and Poland.1976 Summer Olympics official report. Volume 2. pp. 226–9.1976 Summer Olympics official report. Volume 3. pp. 227–89.The NASL’s Toronto Metros-Croatia used Varsity Stadium through 1978, before moving to Exhibition Stadium.NEWS, Beard, Randy, Blizzard Hope Revenge Snowballs The Rowdies, April 25, 1979, Evening Independent,news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19790425&id=bgEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2260,2414559&hl=en, 1C, July 3, 2016, They returned six years later as the Toronto Blizzard and again made it their home for the 1984 season.NEWS, Beard, Randy, Down 3 more teams, but NASL is stronger, May 4, 1984, Evening Independent,news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19840504&id=FMNaAAAAIBAJ&pg=2443,1156313&hl=en, 6C, July 3, 2016, On October 3, 1984, before 16,842 fans, the last game ever contested in the original North American Soccer League was played at Varsity Stadium when the Chicago Sting defeated the Blizzard 3–2 to win the deciding game of 1984 Soccer Bowl Series. The NASL would fold before the start of the next season.In mid-1986, Varsity Stadium played host to the World Lacrosse Championships, a tournament featuring the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. The US defeated Canada in the final, 18–9.The new Toronto Blizzard returned to Varsity in 1987 as part of the Canadian Soccer League but would move to the smaller Centennial Park Stadium as a cost-cutting move. They returned in 1993 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League but again were forced to move, this time to Lamport Stadium, again due to financial difficulties. Varsity Stadium continued to host the Canadian intercollegiate championship, the Vanier Cup (as it had been for most years from 1965 to 1988 [with exception of 1973–75]), but that too moved to larger quarters such as SkyDome (now known as Rogers Centre) as the popularity of the collegiate championship grew.Canada’s national soccer team played several matches at Varsity Stadium, including crucial World Cup qualifying matches versus Costa Rica in 1985 and Mexico in 1993. Friendly matches versus Germany and the Netherlands were also staged in 1994.Minor league professional soccer team Toronto Lynx moved into the stadium in 1997 but was forced to move to Centennial Park Stadium due to the impending demolition of the historic facility.The stadium was demolished mid-2002 after the cost of maintaining the large facility was far more than it generated in revenue. At that time, several structural sections of the stadium were being held up by temporary repairs, and the future integrity of the structure was in question. The field and track were retained after the demolition. During the demolition and re-building of the site Toronto Varsity Blues relocated to Birchmount Stadium in Scarborough.

Second stadium

(File:Varsity Stadium - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|Seats at the new Varsity Stadium are closer to the adjacent arena, making the two structures into a conjoined complex.)From 2003 through 2005, temporary seating of about 1,500 was installed to permit the use of the field for intercollegiate games. The name Varsity Field was used from 2002 to 2006 during the period when the old stadium was demolished and the new stadium was being built.A plan to build a new 25,000 seat multi-purpose stadium on the site in 2005 was voted down by the governing council of the University of Toronto due to concerns over its cost. The facility was then planned to be built on the grounds of York University but that too failed. At the time of its demolition, Varsity Stadium was the second largest capacity stadium in Canada with a grass field, after Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta (however, that stadium has since switched to an artificial playing surface). The stadium opened in 2007.Facilities and features built in the first phase of the stadium’s reconstruction include an IAAF Class II 400m eight-lane track, artificial field turf (FIFA 2 Star rated surface by Polytan), and a winter bubble enabling use during inclement weather. The multi-use capability was one of the main reasons that the plan was passed by the governing council, as opposed to the 25,000-seat stadium. Compared to the old Varsity Stadium, the seating is closer to Varsity Arena, almost making the two structures one conjoined complex. Part of the red brick wall along Bloor Street was maintained for historic purposes, but the new facility is much more open and visible from the streets overall. The new facilities are designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects.Following the renovation, the Argonauts returned to the stadium, hosting their 2013 preseason game at their former home.NEWS, Recap:Argos win in return to Varsity Stadium,argonauts.ca/article/recap-argos-return-to-varsity-stadium, 2013-06-20, 2014-05-04, Toronto Argonauts,argonauts.ca/article/recap-argos-return-to-varsity-stadium," title="web.archive.org/web/20140505060210argonauts.ca/article/recap-argos-return-to-varsity-stadium,">web.archive.org/web/20140505060210argonauts.ca/article/recap-argos-return-to-varsity-stadium, May 5, 2014, dead, mdy-all, Their 2014 and 2015 preseason home games were also scheduled for the stadium.NEWS, Toronto Argonauts announce 2014 schedule!, 2014-02-12,www.argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2014-schedule, 2014-05-04, Toronto Argonauts,www.argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2014-schedule," title="web.archive.org/web/20140223005427www.argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2014-schedule,">web.archive.org/web/20140223005427www.argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2014-schedule, February 23, 2014, dead, mdy-all, WEB,argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2015-game-schedule, TORONTO ARGONAUTS ANNOUNCE 2015 GAME SCHEDULE, 2015-02-13, 2015-02-13, Toronto Argonauts,argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2015-game-schedule," title="web.archive.org/web/20150213212244argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2015-game-schedule,">web.archive.org/web/20150213212244argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2015-game-schedule, February 13, 2015, dead, mdy-all, For the 2015 Pan American Games the facility hosted archery between July 14 and 18. During the games, the facility was configured to hold roughly 2,000 spectators per session. The facility also hosted the archery events of the 2015 Parapan American GamesWEB,www.toronto2015.org/venue/varsity-stadium, Varsity Stadium, Toronto Organizing Committee for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games, TO2015, November 16, 2014, September 5, 2015,www.toronto2015.org/venue/varsity-stadium," title="web.archive.org/web/20150905090602www.toronto2015.org/venue/varsity-stadium,">web.archive.org/web/20150905090602www.toronto2015.org/venue/varsity-stadium, dead,

Major events

File:Presentation of Colours consecration.JPG|thumb|The Presentation of Colours for the Royal Regiment of Canada and the Toronto Scottish Regiment was held at Varsity Stadium.]]In addition to hosting several University of Toronto athletic programs, the stadium has also hosted several events including military, musical, and sporting games.

Music

The stadium has also been host to several concerts most notably the 1969 Toronto Rock and Roll Revival,WEB, Mullen, Pat, 2022-12-15, Revival69: The Concert that Rocked the World Review - Toronto’s Ragtag Revue,povmagazine.com/revival69-the-concert-that-rocked-the-world-review-torontos-ragtag-revue/, 2023-12-20, POV Magazine, en-US, which Rolling Stone once called the second most important event in rock & roll history.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} This concert led to the production of a documentary, Sweet Toronto, as well as John Lennon’s Live Peace In Toronto album. Performers included: The Doors, Plastic Ono Band, Bo Diddley, Chicago Transit Authority (later renamed “Chicago“), Tony Joe White, Alice Cooper, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys, Gene Vincent, Junior Walker & the All Stars, Little Richard, Doug Kershaw, Screaming Lord Sutch, Nucleus, Milkwood, and Whiskey Howl.WEB, 2009-08-30, Whiskey Howl Handbill at Wolfgang’s Vault,www.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/whiskey-howl-handbill/VST690913-A-HB.html, 2023-12-20,www.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/whiskey-howl-handbill/VST690913-A-HB.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20090830074902www.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/whiskey-howl-handbill/VST690913-A-HB.html,">web.archive.org/web/20090830074902www.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/whiskey-howl-handbill/VST690913-A-HB.html, August 30, 2009, KISS performed at the stadium during their Destroyer Tour on September 6, 1976.WEB, KISS Concert History Online - Decades on Tour Detailed: 09/06/76,www.kissconcerthistory.com/1976/1976-0906.php, 2023-12-20, www.kissconcerthistory.com, Rush performed at the stadium on September 2, 1979, during their Permanent Waves Warm-up Tour.WEB, Permanent Waves,www.rush.com/tour/permanent-waves/, 2023-12-20, Rush.com, en-CA,

Sports

File:1956 Grey Cup victory.jpg|thumb|Don Getty celebrates with the Grey Cup in the locker room of Varsity Stadium, after the 44th Grey Cup44th Grey Cup{| class=“wikitable sortable plainrowheaders” style="text-align:center“|+ Grey Cups at Varsity Stadium! scope=col | Game! scope=col | Date! scope=col | Winning team! scope=col | Score! scope=col | Losing team! scope=col | Attendance191125}}Toronto Varsity Blues>University of Toronto Varsity Blues (3) | Toronto Argonauts| 13,68719145}}| Toronto Argonauts Toronto Varsity Blues>University of Toronto Varsity Blues| 10,500191520}}Hamilton Tigers (football)>Hamilton Tigers (2) | Toronto Rowing Association| 2,80819204}}Toronto Varsity Blues>University of Toronto Varsity Blues (4) | Toronto Argonauts| 10,08819213}}| Toronto Argonauts (2) Edmonton Elks>Edmonton Eskimos| 9,55811th Grey Cup>11th19231}}Queen’s Golden Gaels>Queen’s University (2) Saskatchewan Roughriders>Regina Rugby Club| 8,62912th Grey Cup>12th192429}}Queen’s Golden Gaels>Queen’s University (3) Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers>Toronto Balmy Beach| 5,97814th Grey Cup>14th19264}}Ottawa Rough Riders>Ottawa Senators (2) | Toronto Varsity Blues| 8,27615th Grey Cup>15th192726}}Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers>Toronto Balmy Beach Hamilton Tigers (football)>Hamilton Tigers| 13,67618th Grey Cup>18th19306}}Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers>Toronto Balmy Beach (2) Saskatchewan Roughriders>Regina Roughriders| 3,91422nd Grey Cup>22nd193424}}| Sarnia Imperials Saskatchewan Roughriders>Regina Roughriders| 8,90024th Grey Cup>24th19365}}| Sarnia Imperials (2) | Ottawa Rough Riders| 5,88325th Grey Cup>25th193711}}| Toronto Argonauts (4) | Winnipeg Blue Bombers| 11,52226th Grey Cup>26th193810}}| Toronto Argonauts (5) | Winnipeg Blue Bombers| 18,77828th Grey Cup>28th194030}}| Ottawa Rough Riders Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers>Toronto Balmy Beach| 4,99829th Grey Cup>29th194129}}| Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3) | Ottawa Rough Riders| 19,06530th Grey Cup>30th19425}}| Toronto RCAF Hurricanes | Winnipeg RCAF Bombers| 12,45531st Grey Cup>31st194327}}Hamilton Wildcats (Canadian football)>Hamilton Flying Wildcats | Winnipeg RCAF Bombers| 16,42333rd Grey Cup>33rd19451}}| Toronto Argonauts (6) | Winnipeg Blue Bombers| 18,66034th Grey Cup>34th194630}}| Toronto Argonauts (7) | Winnipeg Blue Bombers| 18,96035th Grey Cup>35th194729}}| Toronto Argonauts (8) | Winnipeg Blue Bombers| 18,88536th Grey Cup>36th194827}}| Calgary Stampeders | Ottawa Rough Riders| 20,01337th Grey Cup>37th194926}}| Montreal Alouettes | Calgary Stampeders| 20,08738th Grey Cup>38th195025}}| Toronto Argonauts (9) | Winnipeg Blue Bombers| 27,10139th Grey Cup>39th195124}}| Ottawa Rough Riders (4) | Saskatchewan Roughriders| 27,34140th Grey Cup>40th195229}}| Toronto Argonauts (10) | Edmonton Eskimos| 27,39141st Grey Cup>41st195328}}| Hamilton Tiger-Cats | Winnipeg Blue Bombers| 27,31342nd Grey Cup>42nd195427}}| Edmonton Eskimos | Montreal Alouettes| 27,32844th Grey Cup>44th195624}}| Edmonton Eskimos (3) | Montreal Alouettes| 39,41745th Grey Cup>45th195730}}| Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2) | Winnipeg Blue Bombers| 27,425{| class=“wikitable sortable plainrowheaders” style="text-align:center“|+ Vanier Cups at Varsity Stadium!Game!Date!Winning Team!Score!Losing Team1st Vanier Cup>1st|November 20, 1965Toronto Varsity Blues>Toronto|14–7Alberta Golden Bears>Alberta2nd Vanier Cup>2nd|November 19, 1966St. Francis Xavier University>St. F.X.|40–14Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks>Waterloo Lutheran3rd Vanier Cup>3rd|November 25, 1967Alberta Golden Bears>Alberta|10–9McMaster University#Athletics>McMaster4th Vanier Cup>4th|November 22, 1968Queen’s Golden Gaels>Queen’s|42–14Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks>Waterloo Lutheran5th Vanier Cup>5th|November 21, 1969Manitoba Bisons>Manitoba|24–15McGill Redmen football>McGill6th Vanier Cup>6th|November 21, 1970Manitoba Bisons>Manitoba {{small|(2)}}|38–11Ottawa Gee-Gees>Ottawa7th Vanier Cup>7th|November 20, 1971Western Ontario Mustangs>Western|15–14Alberta Golden Bears>Alberta8th Vanier Cup>8th|November 25, 1972Alberta Golden Bears>Alberta {{small|(2)}}|20–7Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks>Waterloo Lutheran12th Vanier Cup>12th|November 19, 1976Western Ontario Mustangs>Western {{small|(3)}}|29–13Acadia University>Acadia13th Vanier Cup>13th|November 19, 1977Western Ontario Mustangs>Western {{small|(4)}}|48–15Acadia University>Acadia14th Vanier Cup>14th|November 18, 1978Queen’s Golden Gaels>Queen’s {{small|(2)}}|16–3UBC Thunderbirds>UBC15th Vanier Cup>15th|November 17, 1979Acadia University>Acadia|34–12Western Ontario Mustangs>Western16th Vanier Cup>16th|November 29, 1980Alberta Golden Bears>Alberta {{small|(3)}}|40–21Ottawa Gee-Gees>Ottawa17th Vanier Cup>17th|November 28, 1981Acadia University>Acadia {{small|(2)}}|18–12Alberta Golden Bears>Alberta18th Vanier Cup>18th|November 20, 1982UBC Thunderbirds>UBC|39–14Western Ontario Mustangs>Western19th Vanier Cup>19th|November 19, 1983Calgary Dinos>Calgary|31–21Queen’s Golden Gaels>Queen’s20th Vanier Cup>20th|November 24, 1984Guelph Gryphons>Guelph|22–13Mount Allison Mounties>Mount Allison21st Vanier Cup>21st|November 30, 1985Calgary Dinos>Calgary {{small|(2)}}|25–6Western Ontario Mustangs>Western22nd Vanier Cup>22nd|November 22, 1986UBC Thunderbirds>UBC {{small|(2)}}|25–23Western Ontario Mustangs>Western23rd Vanier Cup>23rd|November 21, 1987McGill Redmen football>McGill|47–11UBC Thunderbirds>UBC24th Vanier Cup>24th|November 19, 1988Calgary Dinos>Calgary {{small|(3)}}|52–23Saint Mary’s Huskies>Saint Mary’s{| class=“wikitable” style="text-align:left; width:80%;” style="text-align:center”Football at the 1976 Summer Olympics>1976 Summer Olympics Football Matches at Varsity Stadium!Date!Team #1!Result!Team #2!Round!AttendanceJuly 18, 1976{{fb0–0{{fb21,6430–0{{fb9,500July 21, 1976{{fb3–1{{fb12,638July 25, 1976{{fb4–1{{fb18,601July 27, 1976{{fb2–0{{fb21,743{| class=“wikitable sortable plainrowheaders” style="text-align:center“|+ 2015 Pan Am Games at Varsity Stadium!Game!Date| Archery| July 14–18, 2015

See also

• Birchmount Stadium – City of Toronto
• Centennial Park Stadium – City of Toronto
• Lamport Stadium – City of Toronto
• Monarch Park Stadium – Toronto District School Board
• Metro Toronto Track and Field Centre – City of Toronto
• Rosedale Field – City of Toronto
• York Lions Stadium – York University

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official websitewww.varsitycentre.ca}}

}}{{2015 Pan American Games venues}}{{2015 Parapan American Games venues}}{{1976 Summer Olympic venues}}{{Olympic venues football}}{{Grey Cup}}{{University of Toronto}}{{Toronto Argonauts}}{{Sport venues in Toronto}}{{Authority control}}