Nat Bailey Stadium

History and Development

The stadium was constructed in 1951 in Vancouver's Riley Park neighbourhood, within Hillcrest Park northeast of Queen Elizabeth Park. It was built to replace the older Athletic Park, which had served the city since 1913. Initially named Capilano Stadium, it was renamed in 1978 to honour Nat Bailey, a prominent Vancouver restaurateur and founder of the White Spot chain, for his dedicated efforts to promote baseball in the city. The facility has undergone several name changes due to corporate sponsorship agreements, including a period from 2010 to 2019 when it was known as Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

The stadium first hosted professional baseball with the Vancouver Capilanos in the early 1950s. It later became home to the Vancouver Mounties, a Triple-A Pacific Coast League team that played there from 1956 to 1962 and again from 1965 through 1969. The PCL returned to Vancouver in 1978 when Harry Ornest brought the Vancouver Canadians franchise to the city. Ornest purchased primary assets from Seattle's Sick's Stadium and transported them to Vancouver for use at Nat Bailey Stadium, and that incarnation of the Canadians played in Vancouver until 1999 before relocating to Sacramento, California to become the Sacramento River Cats. In a significant development for the club, the team moved up to the High-A classification in 2021. The Canadians signed a long-term lease for the stadium in February 2007, which allowed for substantial improvements and modernization while also restoring parts of the park to its original 1951 condition.

Recent Renovations and Naming Rights

In March 2024, the Vancouver Canadians announced a comprehensive $20 million renovation plan for the then seven-decade-old stadium. The mandatory two-phase project included constructing new modern clubhouses for both the home and visiting teams, installing improved training facilities such as new batting cages, and building a spectator grandstand to replace the existing BBQ area. Renovation work began after the conclusion of the 2024 season and continued through the 2025 and 2026 off-seasons. The extensive refurbishment project was completed in early 2026, shortly before the start of the Canadians' season.

The refurbishment project was completed after two years shortly before the Canadians' 2026 season. The efforts were well praised by representatives sent by Major League Baseball's head office to assess the stadium's conditions and the Canadians' General Manager Allan Bailey. In April 2023, team officials announced that Rogers Communications had acquired the naming rights to the stadium in an agreement through the 2027 season. The stadium was then renamed to Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Stadium Features and Operations

The stadium has a seating capacity of 6,500 spectators, creating an intimate environment for watching baseball. Despite being a High-A facility, the Vancouver Canadians have demonstrated strong fan support, leading their classification in attendance in 2019 and even outdrawing the city's former Triple-A team. The venue is equipped with Closed Circuit Television throughout for security, and patrons are encouraged to report any concerns to stadium staff. For the 2026 season, the concession lineup was enhanced with the addition of a Triple O's restaurant location on the main concourse, offering a popular local dining option.

Game day operations follow a standard pattern, with gates typically opening one hour before the scheduled first pitch. For example, for a game with a 7:05 p.m. PT start time, gates would open at 6:05 p.m. PT, and for a 5:05 p.m. game, doors open at 4 p.m. The stadium address is 4601 Ontario Street in Vancouver, and ticket information can be obtained by calling 604.872.5232. The venue continues to be a popular destination for community and corporate events, including networking socials and group outings like the YMP Vancouver Baseball Night in 2026.

The Bud Kerr Baseball Museum

Located within the stadium concourse along the third base side is the Bud Kerr Baseball Museum, which opened on June 18, 2008. The museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting more than 75 years of baseball history associated with the stadium and professional baseball in Vancouver. It is named in honour of Bud Kerr, who served as the team's official historian until his death in 2009. The museum highlights the many players who have spent part of their careers at the stadium, including pitchers like Rich Harden, legendary slugger Sammy Sosa, and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tim Raines, who helped open the museum.

The Bud Kerr Baseball Museum is located inside Nat Bailey Stadium within the stadium concourse along the third base side. The museum, which opened on June 18, 2008, is dedicated to the more than 75 years of baseball that have been played in the stadium. The museum is named for Bud Kerr, the team's official historian until his death in 2009. It celebrates the players who have spent part of their careers there, including Rich Harden, Sammy Sosa, and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tim Raines, who helped open the museum.

Cultural Appearances and Significance

The stadium was used as the home of the fictional Santa Barbara Seabirds Class A minor league team in the "Dead Man's Curveball" episode of the television series Psych. It was also used as the home of the fictional Seacouver Chiefs in the "Manhunt" episode of Highlander: The Series. Additionally, it was the setting for a scene between MacGyver and Reggie Jackson in the MacGyver episode "Squeeze Play". These uses highlight the stadium's role as a filming location for television series.

The stadium's longevity was celebrated in 2026, marking its 75th anniversary as the longest-serving sports venue in Vancouver. It replaced Athletic Park, which had opened in 1913. Originally built in 1951 as Capilano Stadium, it was posthumously renamed Nat Bailey Stadium in 1978. This milestone underscores its enduring place in the city's cultural fabric.

Tenant History and Affiliations

The stadium was first home to the Vancouver Capilanos in the early 1950s. It later attracted the Oakland Oaks, who became the Vancouver Mounties of the Triple-A classification Pacific Coast League from 1956 to 1962 and 1965 through 1969. The Pacific Coast League returned to Vancouver in 1978 with the Vancouver Canadians, owned by Harry Ornest. The Canadians stayed in Vancouver through the 1999 season, then relocated south to Sacramento, California, as the Sacramento River Cats. The team's successful operation and strong community ties were instrumental in its move to the High-A classification in 2021. The Canadians are affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball, providing a development pathway for players and creating a direct connection between Canadian fans and the country's only MLB team. This affiliation reinforces the stadium's role within the broader North American baseball system as a key development site for future major league talent.

Questions about Nat Bailey Stadium

Where is Nat Bailey Stadium located in Vancouver?

Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium is located in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is in the Riley Park neighbourhood within Hillcrest Park immediately north-east of Queen Elizabeth Park. The stadium address is 4601 Ontario Street. It replaced Athletic Park, which had opened in 1913 at 5th and Hemlock Street.

What recent renovations were completed at the stadium?

In March 2024, the Vancouver Canadians announced a $20-million, two-phase, mandatory renovation plan. The renovations included the construction of new modern clubhouses for the home and visiting team, improved training facilities such as new batting cages and a spectator grandstand to replace the BBQ area. The renovations broke ground after the 2024 season and occurred during the 2025 and 2026 off-seasons. The refurbishment project was completed after two years shortly before the Canadians' 2026 season.

Can you visit a baseball museum at the stadium?

Yes, the Bud Kerr Baseball Museum is located inside Nat Bailey Stadium within the stadium concourse along the third base side. The museum opened on June 18, 2008, and is dedicated to the more than 75 years of baseball that have been played in the stadium. It is named for Bud Kerr, the team's official historian until his death in 2009. The museum celebrates players like Tim Raines and Sammy Sosa who have played there.

What is the seating capacity of Nat Bailey Stadium?

The stadium's seating capacity is 6,500. This capacity supports the intimate atmosphere for watching baseball at the venue. In 2019, the Canadians led their classification in attendance and outdrew Vancouver's former Triple-A team. The stadium is home to the Vancouver Canadians of the High-A classification Northwest League. It is a baseball stadium in western Canada, located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The stadium's size and popularity contribute to its status as a key sports venue in the city.

Who are the Vancouver Canadians affiliated with?

The Vancouver Canadians are the High-A minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. This affiliation means that players on the Canadians' roster are under contract with the Blue Jays organization. The team competes in the Northwest League. This partnership creates a direct pipeline for baseball talent to advance through the professional ranks. Their home games are played at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Why is the stadium named after Nat Bailey?

The stadium was posthumously renamed Nat Bailey Stadium in 1978 to honour Vancouver restaurateur Nat Bailey for his effort to promote baseball in Vancouver. He was the founder of the White Spot restaurant chain. Originally built in 1951, the facility was first known as Capilano Stadium. The renaming recognized his significant contributions to the sport in the city. The stadium's common nickname is The Nat, and it has also held corporate naming rights, such as Scotiabank Field and, since 2023, Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.