ATCO Field

Development and Construction

The stadium's development was directly tied to the launch of the Canadian Premier League. In May 2018, the Southern family, owners of the Spruce Meadows complex, announced they had acquired a CPL franchise and would retrofit a portion of the existing 'Meadows on the Green' facility to create a soccer stadium. Construction began in July 2018, focusing on a modular and privately funded design that could be expanded in the future. The initial build included a 4,500-seat covered grandstand on the east side and an additional 1,500 combined seats on the north and south ends, bringing the initial capacity to approximately 6,000. The club promoted the project as aiming to create one of the most unique professional soccer experiences in Canada. The roof installation for the main grandstand faced delays due to record-cold temperatures in the area during the spring of 2019, with completion expected by the end of May that year.

Opening and Initial Operations

ATCO Field hosted its first match on April 27, 2019, while construction was still ongoing. This was a preseason friendly where Cavalry FC defeated Calgary Foothills FC of USL League Two by a score of 1-0. The official stadium and league opening occurred on May 4, 2019, with Cavalry FC securing a 2-1 victory over York9 FC in snowy conditions, and the drainage and final seating were installed just prior to this inaugural match. The club's ownership had to address significant traffic congestion issues following the opening match, which were attributed to ongoing road construction on Alberta Highway 22X and caused many fans to miss the first half. As a temporary solution, the team offered free shuttle buses from a nearby public transit station, though this service was discontinued by 2023. Despite the initial challenges, the venue quickly established itself as a lively and atmospheric home for Cavalry FC, with supporters' groups leading cheers throughout the stands.

Subsequent Upgrades and Features

Following its inaugural season, the stadium has undergone several significant upgrades funded by club ownership. Prior to the 2021 CPL season, the club invested an additional 9 million CAD into the facility. This investment funded the installation of permanent stadium floodlighting, which replaced a temporary system that had been criticized during the 2019 Canadian Championship, and included resodding the entire pitch. During the COVID-19 pandemic period when the stadium was not in use, ownership also took the opportunity to upgrade water and sewage lines. The modular design of the venue allows for future expansion, and long-term council plans for the site, updated every ten years, have included concepts for a new fieldhouse and a boutique hotel, indicating the potential for further development around the stadium.

Tenant: Cavalry FC

ATCO Field was built specifically for Cavalry FC, which was founded in 2018 as a founding member of the Canadian Premier League. The club has been highly successful, winning both the Spring and Fall seasons in the league's inaugural 2019 campaign and the Group Stage of the 2020 CPL Island Games. Cavalry FC has been a consistent top-three finisher across the CPL's first six seasons, culminating in winning the first ever CPL Shield in 2023 and advancing to the CPL Final that same year. That 2023 final appearance secured the club's first berth in the Concacaf Champions Cup, where in 2024 they made history as the first CPL side to both beat a Liga MX club and win a match in that continental tournament. The club's primary rival is Forge FC, and its team colours are Calgary Red, Army Green, and Black. The 2026 CPL regular season schedule runs from July through October, with the final home match of that season scheduled for October 25, 2026. Key player signings for the 2026 season have included forward Owen Graham-Roache on loan and defender Daniel Pribytov on a development contract.

Cavalry FC has achieved several major honours while based at ATCO Field. The club won both the 2019 Spring and Fall Seasons during the inaugural Canadian Premier League season. Cavalry FC was also the Group Stage winner of the 2020 CPL Island Games. The club won the first ever CPL Shield in 2023. That same year, the team advanced to the 2023 CPL Final, securing a place in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.

• Winning the 2019 CPL Spring Season.
• Winning the 2019 CPL Fall Season.
• Winning the Group Stage of the 2020 CPL Island Games.
• Winning the first ever CPL Shield in 2023.
• Advancing to the 2023 CPL Final.
• Qualifying for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
• Becoming the first CPL club to defeat a Liga MX opponent (2024).
• Becoming the first CPL club to win a Concacaf Champions Cup match (2024).

Stadium Experience and Amenities

ATCO Field is marketed as Calgary's ultimate summer sports experience, offering a family-friendly atmosphere with a variety of activities beyond the soccer match itself. The venue is praised for its beautiful setting and the electric, raucous energy generated by passionate supporters, which some visitors have likened to a World Cup atmosphere. Amenities for attendees include multiple food trucks offering diverse options, a change from traditional concession stands, and the venue also features water bottle filling stations, though signage for these has been noted as an area for improvement. The stadium's layout has received some criticism for sightline obstructions caused by support posts in certain seating areas, which can partially block views of the goals. Parking is generally reported as easy, and the overall experience is frequently described as offering great value, representing the best live sports dollar in Calgary with intense, exciting soccer from start to finish.

Visitor reviews frequently highlight several consistent aspects of the matchday experience. Many note the electric energy and intense, exciting soccer from start to finish. The atmosphere is described as raucous and enthusiastic, with fans pouring out strong support for the home team. The variety of food trucks is often praised as a positive change from standard concession stands. The venue is also noted for its family friendly activities and grounds, making it a great live sports experience.

• A family-friendly environment with kid-oriented activities.
• An electric and loud atmosphere with enthusiastic fans.
• A variety of food and beverage choices from food trucks.
• Easy parking and straightforward access to seats.
• Beautiful weather and pre-game entertainment in the summer months.
• Some sightline obstructions due to stadium support posts.
• A need for better signage for amenities like water stations.

Location and Multi-Use Function

The stadium is situated within the broader Spruce Meadows equestrian sports complex, located just south of Calgary in Foothills County. Its address is 18011 Spruce Meadows Way Southwest. This location is integral to its dual-purpose nature, as the site has historically held equestrian competitions. While primarily a soccer venue from spring through fall, ATCO Field and the surrounding grounds continue to serve their original purpose by hosting major equestrian events for two to four weeks each year. This multi-use model leverages the existing infrastructure of Spruce Meadows, a world-renowned equestrian facility owned by the same Southern family that owns the ATCO corporation and Cavalry FC. The integration of professional soccer into this established sporting destination represents a unique partnership in Canadian sports, marking the event space's first foray into professional soccer.

Ticketing and Access

Tickets for Cavalry FC matches at ATCO Field are sold primarily through Ticketmaster, where fans can purchase seats for the regular season and find the full match schedule. For the 2026 season, matches are scheduled from July through October, with kickoff times varying by date, and the Cavs return to ATCO Field on October 25 for their final home match of that regular season. The club has, at times, offered shuttle services to mitigate transportation challenges related to the venue's location, though as of 2023 the official free shuttles are no longer operating. A local lounge in Calgary's far south has occasionally offered a private shuttle service from its establishment. The stadium's location off Alberta Highway 22X means most attendees arrive by private vehicle, utilizing the extensive parking available on the Spruce Meadows grounds, which is reported to be easy and straightforward.

Future Prospects

The future of ATCO Field is closely linked to the growth of Cavalry FC and the CPL. The stadium's original modular design was intentionally chosen to allow for easy expansion should demand increase, and club ownership has discussed the possibility of expanding or even replacing the venue. Long-term planning documents for the site have contemplated not only stadium expansion but also the potential addition of a brand new fieldhouse and a boutique hotel, suggesting a vision for a more developed sports and entertainment precinct. The club's success in continental competition, such as the Concacaf Champions Cup, may drive further investment to meet higher standards for such tournaments. As Cavalry FC continues to build its fanbase and on-field achievements, ATCO Field is poised to evolve alongside it, solidifying its role as a premier soccer venue in Canada for future generations of soccer stars in Calgary.

Potential future developments for the ATCO Field site, as indicated in long-term plans, include expansion of the stadium. The council plans, which are updated every ten years, also include the possibility of installing a brand new fieldhouse. There is a possibility of constructing a boutique hotel on the site. Cavalry FC may even replace ATCO Field entirely as part of these long term development plans.

• Expanding the current 6,000-seat modular stadium.
• Potentially replacing the stadium with a new facility.
• Installing a brand new fieldhouse.
• Building a boutique hotel on the grounds.

Questions about ATCO Field

Where is ATCO Field located?

ATCO Field is located at 18011 Spruce Meadows Way Southwest in Calgary, Alberta. It is situated within the Spruce Meadows equestrian and sporting complex in Foothills County, just south of the city. The venue is accessible via Alberta Highway 22X, and the location is part of a larger multi-sport facility known for hosting international equestrian events alongside professional soccer. The stadium was built on the site formerly known as Meadows on the Green, which historically held equestrian competitions. This marks the event space's first foray into professional soccer, creating a unique sporting destination.

What is the seating capacity of ATCO Field?

ATCO Field has a total seating capacity of 6,000 spectators. The stadium's design includes a 4,500-seat covered grandstand on the east side, with an additional 1,500 seats combined on the north and south ends. The facility uses a modular construction method that allows for future expansion if required, a feature that was part of the original privately funded construction plan announced in 2018. Construction commenced in July 2018, and the venue opened in April 2019. The modular design was intended to be easily expanded with demand in the future.

Which team plays at ATCO Field?

ATCO Field is the home stadium for Cavalry FC, Calgary's professional men's soccer club in the Canadian Premier League. The club was founded in 2018 and has played all its home matches at the venue since it opened in April 2019. Cavalry FC's team colours are Calgary Red, Army Green, and Black, and the club has established a strong rivalry with Forge FC. The club won the CPL Shield in 2023 and has consistently been a top performer in the league. The Southern family, who own the Spruce Meadows complex, also own the team and secured the franchise in May 2018.

Can you buy food at ATCO Field during matches?

Yes, ATCO Field offers a variety of food and beverage options for attendees. The venue features numerous food trucks around the grounds, providing a diverse range of choices that is often noted as a positive change from standard stadium concession stands. Visitors have praised the variety of food and beverage choices available. The stadium experience is designed to be family friendly with additional activities available on the grounds. This contributes to an overall atmosphere described as energetic and electric, making it a popular summer sports experience in Calgary.

How do I get tickets for a Cavalry FC game at ATCO Field?

Tickets for Cavalry FC home matches are sold through Ticketmaster. Fans can visit the Ticketmaster platform to purchase tickets for individual games or find the full schedule for the regular season, which typically runs from July to October. The club's official website, cavalryfc.canpl.ca, also provides ticketing information and links. Tickets for the 2026 regular season are currently available for purchase via this channel. The schedule and ticket availability for matches, such as the final home match on October 25, 2026, are listed through these official sources.

What other events are held at ATCO Field besides soccer?

Beyond hosting Cavalry FC, ATCO Field and the surrounding Spruce Meadows grounds continue their traditional role as a venue for major equestrian competitions. These events take place for approximately two to four weeks each year, maintaining the site's long standing history in equestrian sports. The stadium's integration into the larger equestrian complex makes it a unique multi sport facility in Canada. The venue, formerly known as Meadows on the Green, was originally used for equestrian events. This successful blending of professional soccer with world class horse jumping events defines the location's diverse sporting calendar.

Sources and further reading

• ATCO Field (Wikipedia)
• Cavalry FC, Calgary's Professional Men's Soccer Club (cplsoccer.com)
• Cavalry FC Tickets at ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows (ticketmaster.ca)
• Cavalry FC, Calgary (familyfuncanada.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.