Swangard Stadium

History and Construction

The stadium's construction was funded through a campaign led by Vancouver Sun sports journalist Erwin Swangard, who raised nearly $1 million for the project. The facility was built within Burnaby's Central Park to serve as a premier athletic venue for the region. At its official opening ceremony on April 26, 1969, British Columbia Premier W. A. C. Bennett named the stadium in Swangard's honour. Swangard himself was not present for the dedication, as he had been sent to Nigeria to start a newspaper, and his wife Doris represented him. The stadium was designed as a multi-purpose facility with a natural grass field and an eight-lane, 400-metre Olympic regulation rubberized track, features that have made it a lasting venue for a wide array of sports. The track's rubberized surface is noted for providing comfort for runners and walkers over long distances, adding to the facility's appeal for community use.

Primary Tenants and Sporting Use

Swangard Stadium's primary function has been to host soccer, rugby, football, and athletics for both professional and community users. The stadium's natural grass field is highly regarded, often cited as one of the best playing surfaces in North America, with a common saying that the only grass better is at Buckingham Palace. The City of Burnaby manages and maintains the facility, which is frequently booked for tournaments and league play, leading to periodic closures to the general public. The stadium's current anchor tenants are all soccer clubs, reflecting its enduring role in the sport's ecosystem in British Columbia. In addition to professional matches, the stadium is used very frequently for track and field meets in the Lower Mainland and by school groups and amateur sporting organizations. The stadium is also the venue for regional, provincial, national, and international soccer, rugby, football and track and field events, confirming its status as a premier multi-use facility. Current Professional and Semi-Professional Tenants:

• Vancouver Rise FC: A founding club of the professional Northern Super League (NSL), the Rise began play in 2026 and uses Swangard as its home stadium, having held its inaugural match at BC Place. The team's 2026-27 schedule includes a potential home playoff match and season tickets are available for purchase.
• Whitecaps FC 2: The MLS Next Pro reserve team of Vancouver Whitecaps FC moved its home matches to Swangard Stadium in March 2022, bringing a direct MLS affiliate back to the venue and continuing the Whitecaps' organizational connection to the site.
• TSS FC Rovers: The club's men's and women's teams both use the stadium as their home ground. They initially played in USL League Two and the Women's Premier Soccer League before joining the new semi-professional League1 British Columbia (L1BC) starting in the 2022 season. The women's team began play at Swangard in the 2018 season, and the men's team started there in the 2017 season when they played in the USL League Two Northwest Division.

Swangard Stadium is used very frequently for track and field meets in the Lower Mainland and hosts regional, provincial, and national events. The stadium's rubberized 8 lane, 400-metre Olympic regulation oval track is more comfortable for running or walking. The track is open for public use when the stadium is open and not booked for an event. Visitors are advised to check the schedule before going to confirm if the track is open or closed due to an event booking.

The Vancouver Whitecaps Era

The stadium's most famous and longest-tenured occupant was the Vancouver Whitecaps professional soccer team. The club, originally named the Vancouver 86ers, began play in the Canadian Soccer League in 1987 and made Swangard its home pitch from the outset. The club's move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2011 necessitated a larger venue, as Swangard's capacity did not meet league standards. A City of Burnaby proposal to renovate and expand the stadium to 20,000 seats was considered but ultimately abandoned, leading the Whitecaps to BC Place Stadium. Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi stated the club intended to stay at BC Place for the time being, with plans for a new soccer-specific stadium on hold, which solidified BC Place as their long-term home.

The Whitecaps maintained a strong connection to their former home. On July 8, 2026, the club temporarily returned to Swangard Stadium to host a Canadian Championship quarterfinal match against Cavalry FC because BC Place was unavailable due to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In that match, the Whitecaps defeated Cavalry FC by a score of 4-1, marking a notable one-game homecoming and their first match at the stadium since the 2010 season. This event highlighted the stadium's continued suitability for high-level domestic cup competitions even after the primary tenant moved to a larger facility, and it was promoted as a special return for the club and its fans.

University and Other Team Tenants

Beyond professional soccer, Swangard has hosted other significant team tenants. The Simon Fraser University football team, known as the Clan and later the Red Leafs, used the stadium as its home field for the 2014 season before returning to its on-campus facility starting with the 2016 season. The Vancouver Riptide, a professional ultimate disc team in the American Ultimate Disc League, was a tenant from 2013 until the end of the 2017 season before the franchise was relocated to Portland, Oregon for the 2020 season. The stadium has also been used by the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club, with its fields maintained by the city and considered among the top rugby venues on the continent. The City of Burnaby manages and maintains the fields at both the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club and Swangard Stadium, solidifying the area's reputation for quality rugby pitches and supporting the sport at both the community and elite levels.

Hosting International and National Events

Swangard Stadium has a proven track record of hosting prestigious international soccer tournaments. Its capacity was temporarily increased to 10,000 spectators for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, during which it hosted several matches. The stadium was also the host venue for the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship. It has frequently been used for home matches by the Canadian men's and women's national soccer teams during Olympic and World Cup qualifying campaigns, sometimes drawing crowds in excess of 10,000 with standing-room spectators. The venue's ability to accommodate these large crowds for critical matches demonstrates its importance in the national soccer landscape and its role in Canada's international sporting history.

The venue has also been the site for a diverse array of other national and special events. In March 2015, it hosted the first Quidditch Canada National Championship. The stadium regularly hosts the BC high school provincial badminton championships, which returned to Burnaby after nearly five decades and brought together 32 teams and 420 participants in 2025. In August 2026, it was the venue for a national kendo championship, where athletes from across the country competed for national titles. These events, along with various fundraising, civic, and cultural events, confirm the stadium's versatility and its importance as a community and national sports hub. The stadium is also available to rent for events and tournaments, further supporting its multi-use designation and providing a revenue stream for the City of Burnaby.

Facility Details and Accessibility

Swangard Stadium is situated in the northwest corner of Central Park, with a main entrance on Imperial Street. The facility includes a main grandstand, concession stands for general food service, and change rooms. Parking is available in several lots, with 350 spaces on site and an additional 500 in a nearby Telus lot available by pre-arrangement with a promoter. Free public parking is also available at lots on Boundary Road at 47th Avenue and an east lot accessible from Kingsway. Limited street parking is also an option for visitors attending events at the venue, though it is not guaranteed due to the residential and park surroundings.

The stadium provides accessibility features, though some aspects have limitations. Accessible viewing positions are located in grandstand sections C and D, reached by a ramp noted as being very steep. Accessible washrooms are available on the main level, and change rooms are accessible, though changeroom washrooms are not wheelchair accessible. There are designated accessible parking stalls in the main lot near Kingsway, the Central Park Playground lot, and the swimming pool parking lot off Boundary Road. Ten additional designated stalls are in the Central Park Playground lot, and two are in the swimming pool lot. Service dogs are permitted in the facility, with the policy specifying that only trained service dogs are allowed. The main entrance gate and concession stand are accessible, but the venue does not offer hearing assistance devices for patrons with hearing impairments.

Future and Redevelopment Considerations

As of the mid-2020s, the future of Swangard Stadium is a topic of discussion following a detailed analysis of the facility. The analysis confirmed the stadium is nearing end-of-life and cannot meet current or projected demand without major reinvestment. The study identified six feasible options for the stadium's future, ranging from renovation to full redevelopment. While the need for upgrades is acknowledged, most Burnaby city councillors have expressed opposition to a full redevelopment that would significantly encroach on Central Park parkland. The stadium continues to operate as an in-demand venue, but its long-term status depends on future civic decisions regarding renovation or replacement. These discussions are set against the backdrop of the stadium's ongoing busy schedule, which includes hundreds of events each year from community leagues to international tournaments.

Event Profile and Attendance

Swangard Stadium hosts a dense calendar of events throughout the year, ranging from weekly community leagues to international championships. The venue's booking schedule is a key factor for public access, as the track and field are often closed for event preparations. The stadium's standard capacity of 5,288 is suitable for many professional and semi-professional matches, while its ability to temporarily expand to approximately 10,000 seats has allowed it to host larger tournament games. The following table illustrates the range of events and typical tenants that have utilized the stadium in recent years, highlighting its role as a multi-use facility that serves many levels of sport and community activity.

Swangard Stadium is an in-demand major league sports and tournament facility that is often closed to the public due to event bookings. The stadium's role extends beyond sport to include community gatherings like Burnaby's Canada Day celebrations, which feature concerts, fireworks, and festival fun. The City of Burnaby manages and maintains the stadium, and it is used by school groups, amateurs, professional sporting groups, and for non-sporting functions like fundraising and civic events. An analysis has confirmed the stadium is nearing end-of-life and cannot meet current or projected demand without major reinvestment, with Burnaby city councillors opposing a full redevelopment that would encroach on parkland.

Visitor Information and Policies

For visitors planning to attend an event or use the public track, several practical details are important to note. The stadium's box office is located at the main entrance, and tickets for events can be purchased there, though for some events they are only available on the day of the event and customers must present the actual credit card used for the order and photo ID for pickup. The venue has standard policies that prohibit outside food or beverages, smoking, and the use of professional cameras without media credentials. All bags are subject to search, and respectful behaviour is expected from all attendees. The policy on re-entry is not standard and depends on the specific promoter or producer of each event, so patrons should inquire at the gate.

Access to Swangard Stadium can be affected by maintenance and event bookings. For example, the southwest gate was inaccessible due to maintenance on Thursday and Friday, October 1 and 2, with the public directed to use the northwest gate from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm on those days. The City of Burnaby encourages people to sign up for recreation news, special events, and city updates delivered to their inbox. For event organizers, Tourism Burnaby and the Sport Burnaby Grant program offer support for planning events in Burnaby, including help with venues, accommodations, logistics, and offsetting costs when booking local venues and services.

Questions about Swangard Stadium

Where is Swangard Stadium located and how do I get there?

Swangard Stadium is located at 3883 Imperial Street in the northwest corner of Central Park in Burnaby, British Columbia. The nearest SkyTrain station is Patterson Station, approximately 880 metres away. Driving access is available via Boundary Road and Kingsway. The stadium has 350 on-site parking spaces, with additional free public parking at lots on Boundary Road at 47th Avenue and an east lot off Kingsway. An additional 500 spaces in the Telus lot are available only if pre-arranged by an event promoter, and there is limited street parking in the surrounding area.

What is the seating capacity of Swangard Stadium?

The standard permanent seating capacity of Swangard Stadium is 5,288 spectators. For major international events, such as the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, temporary seating has been installed to expand the capacity to approximately 10,000. The stadium has hosted crowds exceeding 10,000 for some national team matches, with additional standing-room spectators. The main grandstand houses the permanent seats and the accessible viewing areas in sections C and D at the centre field area.

Which sports teams currently play their home games at Swangard?

As of 2026, Swangard Stadium is the home venue for three soccer clubs. Vancouver Rise FC of the professional Northern Super League (NSL) plays its home matches there, with games scheduled into the 2026-27 season including a match against Calgary Wild FC on October 25, 2026. Whitecaps FC 2, the MLS Next Pro reserve team of the Vancouver Whitecaps, also calls the stadium home, having moved there in March 2022. The TSS FC Rovers, who compete in the semi-professional League1 British Columbia (L1BC) with both men's and women's teams, use Swangard as their home ground.

Can the public use the track at Swangard Stadium?

Yes, the public is welcome to use the eight-lane, 400-metre rubberized Olympic regulation track when the stadium is open and not booked for an event. However, as a highly in-demand tournament facility, the stadium is frequently closed for event bookings. It is strongly recommended to check the City of Burnaby's schedule online or by calling Parks & Recreation Information at (604) 294-7450 before visiting to confirm public access on any given day. The track's rubberized surface is designed to be more comfortable for running or walking long distances.

What accessibility features does Swangard Stadium have?

Swangard Stadium has accessible viewing positions in grandstand sections C and D, reached by a ramp noted as being steep. Accessible washrooms are on the main level, and change rooms are accessible, though changeroom washrooms are not wheelchair accessible. Designated parking stalls are available in the main lot, the Central Park Playground lot, and the swimming pool parking lot. Service dogs are permitted. The concession stand and main entrance gate are also accessible, but the venue does not offer hearing assistance devices for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Did the Vancouver Whitecaps ever return to play at Swangard after leaving in 2010?

Yes, the Vancouver Whitecaps returned to Swangard Stadium for a single match on July 8, 2026. They hosted a Canadian Championship quarterfinal against Cavalry FC there because their regular home, BC Place, was unavailable due to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Whitecaps won the match 4-1, marking their first game at the stadium since the 2010 season. The stadium had been the Whitecaps' home from their founding in 1987 until they moved to Major League Soccer in 2011, as Swangard did not meet MLS capacity standards.

Sources and further reading

• Swangard Stadium (Wikipedia)
• Swangard Stadium (burnaby.ca)
• Swangard Stadium (tourismburnaby.com)
• Vancouver Rise FC Tickets, Live at Swangard Stadium ... (concerts.consequence.net)
• Swangard Stadium Events & Tickets 2026-27, Burnaby, BC (encoretrail.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-27.