McMahon Stadium

Construction and Early History

An early 1954 proposal for a 20,000-person stadium south of Victoria Park had limited support from the Calgary Stampede and Exhibition board. The urgency increased with plans for a new bridge on 14 Street, which was believed to require land adjacent to Mewata. In February 1957, a new stadium was announced near the site of the University of Alberta (Calgary) with an estimated cost of $1 million, but the city and province failed to back the plan. On January 1, 1960, Stampeders general manager Jim Finks, play-by-play commentator Eric Bishop, and Calgary Herald columnist Gorde Hunter approached brothers Frank and George McMahon to finance the stadium, which they agreed to do. Designed by architect Peter Rule and built by Red Dutton's firm Burns and Dutton Concrete and Construction Company, the stadium was constructed on the university campus using pre-cast concrete over 103 days, with groundbreaking on April 4, 1960. George McMahon and builder Red Dutton wagered $1,500 on whether construction would finish on time, and Dutton paid McMahon with one-dollar bills when it did. The original stadium capacity was 19,536, and the university hoped the structure could be expanded to 45,000 in the future. The stadium repurposed bleachers and the scoreboard from the old Mewata Stadium.

Expansions and Renovations Over Time

McMahon Stadium has undergone numerous expansions and renovations since its opening. The first expansion in 1967 added 2,600 seats for a new capacity of 22,136. A 1973 addition of 3,500 seats brought capacity to 25,636. In 1975, a $1.125-million expansion increased capacity to 32,454 in time for the 63rd Grey Cup hosted that year. Another expansion in 1978 at a cost of $4.5 million raised capacity to 33,386. The most significant upgrade came in 1987 at a cost of $17 million to prepare for the 1988 Winter Olympics, adding 11,000 theatre-style seats and raising permanent capacity to 38,205. Skyboxes were first added in 1993, lowering capacity to 37,211, and more were added in 2000, reducing it further to 35,967. Renovations in 2001 and 2005 replaced bleacher seating in the higher rows of the grandstands with luxury boxes, resulting in the current permanent capacity of 35,650. For special events, temporary bleachers have been consistently used, enabling a record crowd of approximately 60,000 for the 1988 Olympics ceremonies and 50,000 for the 81st Grey Cup. In 2007, Calgary Stampeders president Ted Hellard proposed a further reduction of about 4,200 seats to accommodate more luxury boxes, with renovations to be underwritten by personal seat licenses, though this plan did not proceed.

Stadium Operations and Governance

The stadium is operated by the McMahon Stadium Society, a non-profit society incorporated in Alberta in 1960. The society's objectives are to operate, improve, and manage the stadium and its facilities for sports, recreation, and other useful community purposes. Its membership is composed of two persons appointed by the University of Calgary, the City of Calgary's Commissioner of Finance and Commissioner of Planning and Community Services, and two other persons appointed by those four members. Originally, the two other members were appointed by the McMahon brothers until the financing they guaranteed was retired in 1973. The University of Calgary acquired complete ownership of the stadium and land in 1985 after the original financing was retired and a land exchange agreement was signed with the City of Calgary. The society operates the stadium under two leases and a four-year, three-month agreement with the City of Calgary, which was approved on January 7, 2007. The society acknowledges that the 66-year-old stadium requires increasingly significant investment for maintenance, with nearly $1 million spent ahead of a recent Grey Cup to repair aging water and sewer systems.

Playing Field and Location

The stadium features an infilled artificial FieldTurf playing surface, most recently replaced in 2025. It originally opened with a grass field in 1960. Concerns that the grass would not withstand increased use led to the installation of the first AstroTurf artificial surface in 1975. That was replaced with the current FieldTurf system in 2006, which was subsequently replaced in 2014 and again in 2025. The stadium is located between Calgary's downtown core and the University of Calgary, north of 16 Avenue NW between Crowchild Trail and University Drive. Its location adjacent to the Banff Trail C-Train station provides convenient public transit access for spectators. The stadium's age and the condition of its infrastructure are central to current discussions about its future, with officials noting the expected lifespan of the new turf is a factor in planning timelines for a potential replacement.

Primary and Secondary Tenants

McMahon Stadium's primary tenant is the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, who played at Mewata Stadium from 1935 to 1959 before moving to McMahon. It is also the home venue for the University of Calgary Dinos football team. Other football tenants include the Calgary Colts of the Canadian Junior Football League, the Calgary Gators and Calgary Wolfpack of the Alberta Football League, and Calgary Wild FC of the Northern Super League. The stadium's multi-purpose design has allowed it to host a wide array of other sporting events beyond its core football use. This includes serving as an open-air ice rink for the National Hockey League's 2011 Heritage Classic match between the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens. It has also hosted international rugby union matches, such as Canada's 34-20 victory over the United States on August 22, 2025 in the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup, which drew 11,587 fans.

Major Non-Football Events and Concerts

Beyond sports, McMahon Stadium has a long history of hosting major public events. Its most prominent use was as the Olympic Stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1988 Winter Olympics, which required the major expansion completed in 1987. The stadium has hosted numerous concerts, beginning with the Festival Express tour in 1970 featuring the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and the New Riders of the Purple Sage. It was a stop on the Lilith Fair tours in 1997, 1998, and 2010. Ozzy Osbourne and the Monsters of Rock performed there on July 26, 2008. A scheduled concert by ZZ Top and Aerosmith on August 13, 2009 was cancelled due to an injury to Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler. Other notable events include a Billy Graham Crusade in 1981, an inspection of the Canadian Army by Queen Elizabeth II during her 1990 visit, the Nitro Circus Live show in 2017, and filming for a scene in the movie Rat Race before a Stampeders game on September 4, 2000.

Grey Cup History and 2026 Event

McMahon Stadium is a storied venue for the Canadian Football League's championship game, the Grey Cup. It has hosted the event six times, with a seventh scheduled. The first Grey Cup at McMahon was the 63rd edition in 1975, following that year's stadium expansion. It subsequently hosted in 1993, 2000, 2009, and 2019. The stadium also hosted two CFL All-Star Games, in 1972 and 1978. The 97th Grey Cup in 2009 set the stadium's attendance record of 46,020 spectators for a game between the Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders, achieved with temporary end zone seating. In 2026, Calgary will host the Grey Cup for the sixth time at McMahon, with the 113th iteration of the game set for November 15, 2026. This announcement was made amid ongoing questions about the long-term future of the aging stadium, highlighting its continued importance to the CFL even as replacement discussions advance.

Future Planning and Feasibility Studies

The future of the 66-year-old McMahon Stadium is a active subject of planning and study in Calgary. The City of Calgary has launched a formal process to select a company to conduct a feasibility study for developing a new large outdoor sports and events venue. The study, with an estimated cost of around $875,000, will examine market, financial, and operational factors to help city officials make decisions about Calgary's wider stadium infrastructure, not solely McMahon Stadium. The assessment is intended to identify the city's needs, possible investment scenarios, potential risks, and the impact a future venue could have on sport, tourism, the economy, and the local community. Stadium officials have stated that the venue has been given about 10 years of life before replacement or massive renovation is required, a timeline linked partly to the expected lifespan of the artificial turf installed in 2025. Another option under separate consideration is the redevelopment of GMC Stadium at Stampede Park into a multipurpose facility, though any changes must preserve the rodeo track for animal safety during Stampede events. The University of Calgary's plans for its varsity sports programs are also part of this wider discussion, dependent on the ultimate decision regarding McMahon Stadium.

Questions about McMahon Stadium

Who owns and operates McMahon Stadium?

McMahon Stadium is owned by the University of Calgary. It is operated by the McMahon Stadium Society, a non-profit society incorporated in Alberta in 1960. The society's board includes two appointees from the university, two commissioners from the City of Calgary, and two other members appointed by those four. The society's mandate is to operate, improve, and manage the stadium for sports, recreation, and other community purposes under leases and an agreement with the city.

What is the seating capacity of McMahon Stadium?

The permanent seating capacity of McMahon Stadium is 35,650, making it the fifth-largest stadium in Canada. This number has fluctuated due to renovations adding luxury boxes, which replaced bleacher seats. For major events like the Grey Cup, temporary bleachers are installed in the end zones, allowing for larger crowds. The stadium's all-time record attendance is 46,020, set at the 97th Grey Cup in 2009. During the 1988 Winter Olympics ceremonies, temporary seating accommodated approximately 60,000 people.

When is the next Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium?

McMahon Stadium is scheduled to host the Grey Cup for the sixth time on November 15, 2026. This will be the 113th edition of the Canadian Football League's championship game. The stadium has a long history with the event, having previously hosted it in 1975, 1993, 2000, 2009, and 2019. The 2026 announcement was made while the city is concurrently studying the feasibility of a new stadium.

What is the playing surface at McMahon Stadium?

The stadium features an infilled artificial FieldTurf playing surface. It originally had a grass field from its 1960 opening until 1975, when it was replaced with AstroTurf due to concerns about wear from increased use. The current FieldTurf system was installed in 2006 and has been replaced periodically to maintain quality and safety. The most recent replacement of the FieldTurf surface occurred in 2025.

Is McMahon Stadium going to be replaced?

The City of Calgary is actively exploring the feasibility of a new large outdoor sports and event venue through a formal study process. This assessment will help determine the future of the 66-year-old McMahon Stadium, which officials acknowledge requires increasingly significant and costly maintenance. Stadium operators believe a decision on a replacement or a massive renovation must be made within the next eight to ten years. The study will examine various scenarios, including the potential redevelopment of another city venue, GMC Stadium at Stampede Park.

What other events has McMahon Stadium hosted besides football?

Beyond football, McMahon Stadium has hosted a diverse array of major events. It served as the Olympic Stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1988 Winter Olympics. It was the site of the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic outdoor hockey game. It has staged international rugby matches, major concerts from acts like the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and Ozzy Osbourne, a Billy Graham Crusade in 1981, a Royal inspection by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990, the Nitro Circus Live show in 2017, and was used for filming a scene for the movie Rat Race in 2000.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-19.