York Lions Stadium

Construction and Pan American Games Legacy

The stadium's origins are tied to the hosting of the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games in the Greater Toronto Area. Initial plans considered a combined soccer and athletics stadium for Hamilton, but the final decision separated the venues. The athletics stadium was constructed at York University, while Tim Hortons Field was built in Hamilton for soccer. Known during the Games as the CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am Athletics Stadium, the facility was purpose-built for track and field events and also hosted the opening ceremony. The construction cost was approximately $45.5 million, with $34.9 million allocated to design and construction. The stadium's original configuration included a permanent seating capacity of about 5,000, which was expanded with 7,500 temporary seats to accommodate 12,500 spectators for the major international event.

Post-Games Transformation and Major Renovations

Following the Pan Am Games, the stadium entered a new phase focused on serving York University and professional tenants. A significant renovation occurred in early 2021, which fundamentally altered the stadium's character. The original grass field and running track were completely removed. They were replaced with a larger, FIFA and World Rugby certified artificial turf surface, significantly expanding the usable playing area for football and soccer. This change also enabled the installation of an air-supported dome over the field during winter months, creating a year-round training and competition venue known as The Dome @ YLS. This conversion marked the stadium's shift away from its primary identity as a track and field facility to a dedicated gridiron football and soccer ground.

Tenants and Regular Use

York Lions Stadium is the home venue for the York Lions, the varsity athletic teams of York University, particularly for football and soccer. The stadium has also become a hub for professional soccer in the Greater Toronto Area. Inter Toronto FC of the Canadian Premier League has played its home matches there since its inaugural 2019 season, when the club was known as York9 FC. AFC Toronto, a founding club of the women's professional Northern Super League, began playing its home games at the stadium in 2025. Toronto FC II, the MLS Next Pro reserve team of Toronto FC, used the stadium from 2022 until an announcement in July 2026 stated the team would relocate to Barrie for the 2028-29 season. The stadium has also hosted other events, including the 2017 North American Indigenous Games and the Invictus Games.

Professional Rugby and Event Hosting

The stadium has occasionally hosted professional rugby union. The Toronto Arrows of Major League Rugby played exhibition games at the venue in 2018 before their inaugural MLR season. The team later used York Lions Stadium for its home matches from 2022 to 2023, prior to the team ceasing operations. Beyond regular tenant use, the facility has been selected to host significant sporting events and ceremonies. It was the site for the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the athletics competitions for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games. The stadium's quality and location have also made it a candidate for hosting international competitions, with reports indicating it will host games for an upcoming FIFA World Cup, a major moment for the university and local community.

Facility Features and Location

Located at 4700 Keele Street on York University's main campus, the stadium is part of a larger athletics and recreation precinct. This area includes facilities like the Tait McKenzie Centre, Alumni Field, and the National Tennis Centre. The stadium's artificial turf surface meets the highest international standards for soccer and rugby. The ability to cover the field with a dome allows for consistent use during Toronto's winter months, providing a valuable indoor training asset. The permanent seating offers clear sightlines for approximately 5,000 spectators, with infrastructure in place to temporarily increase capacity for major events, as was done for the Pan Am Games. The venue is accessible by Toronto Transit Commission services and the nearby York University subway station.

Role in University Sport and Community

For York University, the stadium is a central venue for its U SPORTS football and soccer programs. It hosts regular season games, special events like homecoming, and playoff matches. The first football win for the York Lions at the renovated stadium occurred on October 5, 2024. The venue also plays a role in athlete development, hosting events like the U SPORTS East-West Bowl, which features top Canadian university football talent, as it did in 2026. The stadium's existence improves the profile of York University athletics and provides a high-quality competition environment for student-athletes. Its use by professional teams also brings a higher level of sport to the campus, offering students and the local community convenient access to watch professional soccer and other events.

Future Developments and Significance

The stadium's future appears focused on its core tenants and hosting major tournaments. With the planned departure of Toronto FC II after the 2028 season, the primary professional occupants will be Inter Toronto FC and AFC Toronto. The confirmation that the stadium will host matches for a future FIFA World Cup represents a significant honour and will likely involve further temporary upgrades. The stadium's design, with its removable track and adaptable seating, has proven successful in transitioning from a single-event Games venue to a lasting community asset. It is a key example of post-Games infrastructure that continues to serve high-performance athletes, university students, and professional sports fans across the Toronto region for years after its initial purpose was fulfilled.

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 teams of York University. In professional soccer, Inter Toronto FC of the Canadian Premier League has played there since 2019, and AFC Toronto of the Northern Super League began playing there in 2025. Toronto FC II of MLS Next Pro used the stadium from 2022 until an announcement in 2026 stated the team would relocate to Barrie for the 2028-29 season. The stadium has also previously hosted the Toronto Arrows rugby team.

Was the stadium used for the Pan American Games?

Yes, York Lions Stadium was built specifically for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. During the Games, it was known as the CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am Athletics Stadium and hosted the track and field competitions as well as the opening ceremony. Temporary seating was added to increase capacity to 12,500 spectators for the event. Its construction was part of the Games' legacy infrastructure, with a total cost of approximately $45.5 million.

What major changes were made to the stadium in 2021?

In early 2021, the stadium underwent a major renovation that removed its original grass field and running track. These were replaced with a larger, FIFA and World Rugby certified artificial turf surface. This change expanded the usable playing area for football and soccer and facilitated the installation of the winter dome. The renovation marked the stadium's transition from a track and field venue to a facility dedicated primarily to football and soccer.

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. The stadium's address is 4700 Keele Street in Toronto, Ontario. It is an outdoor athletics facility built within the university's athletics precinct. The stadium was constructed as the athletics venue for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, where it was known as the CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am Athletics Stadium. This location was selected after initial plans for a combined venue near Hamilton were separated, placing the soccer stadium there and the athletics stadium at York University.

Does the stadium have a dome or cover?

Yes, York Lions Stadium can be covered with an air supported dome during the winter months. This feature was added as part of extensive renovations completed in early 2021. Those renovations also involved replacing the stadium's original grass field and running track with a larger FIFA and World Rugby certified artificial turf surface. The installation of the dome allows for year round use of the playing surface by various teams and for events. This upgrade significantly enhanced the stadium's functionality for both varsity and professional sports teams that call it home.

Will York Lions Stadium host World Cup games?

Yes, York Lions Stadium is scheduled to host World Cup games. This announcement marks a significant future event for the stadium, adding to its history of hosting major competitions. The facility was originally built for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, hosting track and field events and the opening ceremony. It has also hosted events for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games and the Invictus Games. Hosting World Cup matches continues the stadium's legacy as a venue for premier international sporting events.

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