York Lions Stadium
York Lions Stadium is an outdoor multi-sport facility located on the Keele Campus of York University in the North York district of Toronto, Ontario. Constructed as the athletics venue for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, the stadium has evolved into a significant hub for both university and professional sport in the Greater Toronto Area. It serves as the primary home for the York University Lions varsity teams and hosts several professional soccer clubs, including Inter Toronto FC of the Canadian Premier League, Toronto FC II of MLS Next Pro, and AFC Toronto of the Northern Super League. The stadium's conversion from a track and field venue to a dedicated football and soccer facility, completed in 2021, highlights its adaptability and ongoing role in Canadian sport.
Construction and Pan American Games Legacy
The stadium's origins are tied to the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, for which it was specifically built. Initial multi-sport stadium plans for the Hamilton area were revised, leading to the construction of a dedicated athletics stadium at York University while soccer events were held at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton. During the Games, the venue was known as the CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am Athletics Stadium and hosted all track and field events as well as the opening ceremony. The facility was constructed with a base of approximately 5,000 permanent and temporary seats, which was expanded with an additional 7,500 temporary seats for the Games, bringing the total event capacity to 12,500 spectators. The total project cost was roughly $45.5 million, with $34.9 million allocated to design and construction and the remainder covering operational running costs.
Post-Games Conversion and Renovations
Following the Pan American Games, the stadium transitioned to its primary role as a home for York University athletics and a venue for major community and sporting events. In 2016, it was announced as the host for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games, where it staged the opening and closing ceremonies and the athletics competitions. The stadium also served as an event facility for the Invictus Games in 2017. The most significant physical transformation occurred in early 2021, when the original grass field and running track were removed to install a larger, FIFA and World Rugby certified artificial turf playing surface designed for football and soccer. The upgrades also included the infrastructure to cover the field with an air-supported dome during the winter months, extending its usability year-round and providing consistent playing conditions for its tenant teams.
Tenants and Professional Sport
York Lions Stadium is the home ground for multiple professional and university sports teams, making it one of the busiest such facilities in Toronto. The York Lions, representing York University's varsity programs, are the stadium's foundational tenant. In professional soccer, Inter Toronto FC of the Canadian Premier League has called the stadium home since the club's inaugural 2019 season, when it was known as York9 FC. Toronto FC II, the MLS Next Pro reserve team of Toronto FC, began playing its home matches at the venue in 2022, though it was announced in July 2026 that the team would relocate to Barrie for the 2028-29 season. AFC Toronto of the new Northern Super League women's professional soccer league started playing home games at the stadium in 2025. The stadium also previously hosted the Toronto Arrows professional rugby union team for exhibition games in 2018 and for their Major League Rugby home matches from 2022 to 2023 before the team ceased operations. The stadium's tenant history includes:
- York Lions (varsity teams), Primary tenant since 2015.
- Inter Toronto FC (Canadian Premier League), Tenant since 2019.
- Toronto FC II (MLS Next Pro), Tenant from 2022 until planned 2028 relocation.
- AFC Toronto (Northern Super League), Tenant since 2025.
- Toronto Arrows (Major League Rugby), Hosted exhibition games in 2018 and was a tenant from 2022 to 2023.
Facility Specifications and Features
The stadium is designed as a modern, functional sports venue optimized for spectator experience and athlete performance. Its current playing surface is a state-of-the-art artificial turf certified by both FIFA and World Rugby, allowing for high-level soccer and football matches. The permanent seating configuration accommodates approximately 5,000 spectators, a figure that can be expanded with temporary seating for larger events as demonstrated during the Pan American Games. A key feature of the stadium is its capacity to be enclosed by an air-supported dome during the winter, which protects the field from the elements and enables training and competition during the colder months. This dome system significantly increases the facility's utility and revenue potential for York University and its partner teams, providing a reliable venue regardless of weather.
Major Events Hosted
Beyond serving as a home venue for its tenant teams, York Lions Stadium has been selected to host several significant multi-sport games and championships. Its inaugural and most prominent event was the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, where it was the centrepiece for athletics. The stadium later provided the stage for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games, hosting its marquee ceremonies and track and field competitions. It also served as a venue for the 2017 Invictus Games, an international adaptive sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick armed services personnel. These events highlight the stadium's capability and reputation for managing large-scale, logistically complex international competitions, cementing its status as a major event venue in Toronto.
The stadium was built for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, where it hosted track and field events and the opening ceremony. It hosted the 2017 North American Indigenous Games, including the opening and closing ceremonies and athletics competitions. The stadium was used as an event facility for the Invictus Games in 2017. It was also announced to host the 2017 North American Indigenous Games.
- 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, Hosted athletics and opening ceremony.
- 2017 North American Indigenous Games, Hosted opening/closing ceremonies and athletics.
- 2017 Invictus Games, Served as an event facility.
Role in Toronto's Sports Infrastructure
York Lions Stadium occupies a unique and vital position within the Greater Toronto Area's crowded sports venue landscape. Its location on a university campus in North York provides accessible, high-quality facilities for both the York community and professional clubs seeking a midsize stadium. The venue fills a specific need for soccer, offering a dedicated stadium for the Canadian Premier League's Inter Toronto FC and, until its planned move, for Toronto FC's reserve team. The addition of AFC Toronto of the Northern Super League further establishes its importance for professional soccer development in the city. The table below illustrates the stadium's place among other notable outdoor sports venues in Toronto.
| Venue | Primary Use | Operator |
|---|---|---|
| York Lions Stadium | Soccer, Football, Athletics | York University |
| BMO Field | Soccer (MLS), Football (CFL) | City of Toronto / MLSE |
| Lamport Stadium | Soccer, Rugby, Ultimate | City of Toronto |
| Varsity Stadium | Soccer, Football, Athletics | University of Toronto |
| Esther Shiner Stadium | Soccer, Athletics | City of Toronto |
York Lions Stadium offers a more intimate setting ideal for developing professional teams and hosting university competitions. Its artificial surface and winter dome provide consistent, year-round playing conditions. The air-supported dome allows for use during winter months. These features make it an attractive and practical option for tenant organizations.
Questions about York Lions Stadium
Which teams play their home games at York Lions Stadium?
Several teams call York Lions Stadium home. The primary tenant is the York Lions, the varsity athletics teams of York University. In professional soccer, it is the home ground for Inter Toronto FC of the Canadian Premier League and AFC Toronto of the Northern Super League. Toronto FC II of MLS Next Pro also played there from 2022 until its announced relocation to Barrie for the 2028-29 season. The stadium previously hosted the Toronto Arrows rugby team from 2022 to 2023.
Where is York Lions Stadium located?
York Lions Stadium is located on the Keele Campus of York University in the North York district of Toronto. It is an outdoor sports stadium built on university grounds. This location was selected for the athletics stadium during the planning for the 2015 Pan American Games, while the soccer stadium for those games was built separately in Hamilton. The facility serves as a home venue for the university's varsity teams and several professional clubs.
What major event was the stadium originally built for?
The stadium was primarily built for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, where it hosted track and field events and the opening ceremony. During the games, the venue was known as the CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am Athletics Stadium. The initial plans had considered a combined stadium in Hamilton, but the final decision separated the soccer and athletics venues, placing the athletics stadium at York University. Its construction was part of the games' infrastructure legacy.
Does York Lions Stadium have a dome?
Yes, the stadium can be covered with an air supported dome during winter months. This feature was added as part of renovations completed in early 2021. Those renovations also replaced the original grass field and running track with a larger artificial turf surface. The dome allows for year round use by protecting the playing field from winter weather, which supports the needs of the stadium's various tenant teams for consistent training and competition schedules.
What is the seating capacity of York Lions Stadium?
The stadium was expected to seat approximately 5,000 spectators, with 3,000 permanent and 2,000 temporary seats. However, during the 2015 Pan American Games, an additional 7,500 temporary seats were added, bringing the total capacity to 12,500 for that event. The facility's design allows for this flexibility with temporary seating. The standard configuration for most events is around the 5,000 seat mark.
When was the running track removed and why?
The stadium's running track was removed in early 2021. It was replaced along with the grass field to install a larger FIFA and World Rugby certified artificial turf surface. This change was made to expand the playing surface used for football and soccer, which are the primary sports for its main tenants. The renovation marked a shift from a multi purpose athletics venue to a facility better optimized for field sports, and it also included the addition of the winter dome.
Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.
