Nat Bailey Stadium

History and naming

Nat Bailey Stadium was originally constructed in 1951 as Capilano Stadium, replacing the older Athletic Park which had served Vancouver since 1913. The stadium was built in Hillcrest Park, immediately north-east of Queen Elizabeth Park, and was first home to the Vancouver Capilanos of the Western International League. In 1978, the stadium was posthumously renamed to honour Nat Bailey, the Vancouver restaurateur and founder of the White Spot chain, for his lifelong dedication to promoting baseball in the city. The facility has undergone several naming rights agreements over the decades, most notably with Scotiabank from 2010 to 2019, which led to it being known as Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium. In April 2023, Rogers Communications acquired the naming rights through the 2027 season, resulting in the current official name, Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

The stadium's history is intertwined with the highest levels of minor league baseball on the West Coast. After the Capilanos, it hosted the Oakland Oaks, who relocated and became the Vancouver Mounties of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League (PCL), playing from 1956 to 1962 and again from 1965 to 1969. The PCL returned to Vancouver in 1978 when businessman Harry Ornest brought a new franchise, the Vancouver Canadians, to the city. Ornest purchased many of the primary assets from Seattle's Sick's Stadium and had them shipped north for use at The Nat. This incarnation of the Canadians played in Vancouver through the 1999 season before relocating to Sacramento, California, to become the Sacramento River Cats.

Renovations and facilities

The stadium has undergone significant renovations to modernize its facilities while preserving its historic character. In February 2007, the Vancouver Canadians ownership signed a long-term lease with the City of Vancouver and began a major improvement project. These efforts modernized fan amenities and player facilities while also restoring parts of the ballpark to its original 1951 condition. The work contributed to the stadium's enduring popularity, with the Canadians leading their classification in attendance in 2019 and outdrawing the city's former Triple-A team. A more extensive, mandatory renovation plan was announced in March 2024, which was a $20-million project executed in two phases during the off-seasons of 2025 and 2026.

The renovations were comprehensive and focused on upgrading player and spectator experiences. Key construction projects included new modern clubhouses for both the home and visiting teams, improved training facilities such as new batting cages, and a spectator grandstand to replace the existing BBQ area. The project broke ground after the conclusion of the 2024 season and was completed shortly before the start of the 2026 season. The refurbishment was well received, earning praise from representatives sent by Major League Baseball's head office to assess the stadium and from the Canadians' General Manager, Allan Bailey. The stadium's current seating capacity is 6,500, and it features a natural grass playing surface. The notes do state that the stadium has a seating capacity of 6,500 spectators. The stadium is located in Hillcrest Park in the Riley Park neighbourhood of Vancouver. It was originally built in 1951 as Capilano Stadium.

• Seating capacity: 6,500
• Playing surface: Natural grass
• Notable facility: The Bud Kerr Baseball Museum
• Location: Hillcrest Park, Riley Park neighbourhood

The Bud Kerr Baseball Museum

Located within the stadium concourse along the third base side, the Bud Kerr Baseball Museum opened on June 18, 2008. The museum is dedicated to chronicling more than 75 years of baseball history associated with the stadium and its predecessor, Athletic Park. It is named in honour of Bud Kerr, who served as the Vancouver Canadians' official historian until his death in 2009. The museum celebrates the many players who have spent part of their careers at The Nat, with exhibits on memorabilia and stories from different eras of Vancouver baseball. Notable players featured include Major League Baseball stars such as pitcher Rich Harden, slugger Sammy Sosa, and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tim Raines, who was present to help open the museum. The museum serves as an important cultural archive, connecting current fans with the rich legacy of the sport in the city.

Appearances in film and television

Nat Bailey Stadium's distinctive appearance has made it a sought-after filming location for television productions, often standing in for other fictional ballparks. In the television series Psych, the stadium was used as the home of the fictional Santa Barbara Seabirds, a Class A minor league team, in the episode "Dead Man's Curveball." The stadium also appeared in the Highlander: The Series episode "Manhunt," where it served as the home field of the fictional Seacouver Chiefs. The ballpark was the setting for a scene between the title character and baseball legend Reggie Jackson in the MacGyver episode titled "Squeeze Play." These appearances have helped introduce the stadium's classic aesthetic to a wider audience beyond the baseball community.

Attendance and community role

Nat Bailey Stadium has consistently been one of the best-attended venues in its league. In 2019, the Vancouver Canadians led their classification in attendance. The stadium outdrew Vancouver's former Triple-A team that same year. The Canadians ownership signed a long-term lease at the stadium in February 2007.

Tenants and notable seasons

The stadium has hosted several professional baseball teams over its seven-decade history. It was first home to the Vancouver Capilanos in the early 1950s. It later attracted the Vancouver Mounties of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League from 1956 to 1962 and 1965 through 1969. The Pacific Coast League returned to Vancouver in 1978 with the Vancouver Canadians.

This team has provided continuity for fans after the departure of the Triple-A franchise. The 2021 season marked a significant milestone when the Canadians moved from Class A Short Season to the High-A classification, reflecting both the team's stability and the quality of the facility. The successful completion of the 2025 to 2026 renovations ensures the stadium remains a viable and modern home for professional baseball for years to come. Key milestones in the stadium's operational history include its original construction in 1951 as Capilano Stadium. It was posthumously renamed Nat Bailey Stadium in 1978. A naming rights agreement in 2010 led to the name Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium until 2019. In April 2023, Rogers Communications acquired the naming rights, and the stadium was renamed Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

• 1951: Stadium opens as Capilano Stadium.
• 1978: Renamed Nat Bailey Stadium.
• 2007: Long-term lease signed, leading to major improvements.
• 2008: Bud Kerr Baseball Museum opens on June 18.
• 2010: Naming rights agreement with Scotiabank begins.
• 2019: Scotiabank naming rights agreement ends.
• 2023: Rogers Communications acquires naming rights in April.
• 2026: Major $20-million renovation project completed.

Questions about Nat Bailey Stadium

Why is it called Nat Bailey Stadium?

The stadium was originally named Capilano Stadium when it opened in 1951. In 1978, it was posthumously renamed to honour Nat Bailey, a prominent Vancouver restaurateur and founder of the White Spot restaurant chain. The renaming recognized Bailey's lifelong effort to promote and support baseball in Vancouver. The stadium's common nickname is 'The Nat'.

What major renovations were recently completed at the stadium?

In March 2024, the Vancouver Canadians announced a $20 million, two phase, mandatory renovation plan for the seven decade old stadium. 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 conclusion of 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 and the efforts were well praised by representatives sent by Major League Baseball's head office and the Canadians' General Manager Allan Bailey.

Where is Nat Bailey Stadium located?

Nat Bailey Stadium is located in Hillcrest Park in the Riley Park neighbourhood of Vancouver, British Columbia. It is situated immediately north east of Queen Elizabeth Park. The stadium was originally built in 1951 as Capilano Stadium, replacing the older Athletic Park which had opened in 1913. This location in western Canada has been a central site for professional baseball in Vancouver for decades.

What is the seating capacity of The Nat?

The seating capacity of Nat Bailey Stadium is 6,500. In 2019, the Vancouver Canadians led their classification in attendance and notably outdrew Vancouver's former Triple A team. The stadium, which first opened in 1951, has undergone significant improvements and modernizations while also having parts restored to its original condition. Its capacity supports the team's strong fan base in the city.

What is the Bud Kerr Baseball Museum?

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

Sources and further reading

• Nat Bailey Stadium (Wikipedia)
• Nat Bailey Stadium • Vancouver Heritage Foundation (placesthatmatter.ca)
• Directions to Nat Bailey Stadium | Vancouver Canadians (milb.com)
• What to Know About Going to a Vancouver Canadians ... (postcardsandplaces.com)
• Nat Bailey Stadium (Rogers Field) - Vancouver (do604.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.