About Hamilton Stadium
Hamilton Stadium sits on Melrose Avenue North in the city’s east end, a compact 22,500-seat venue built for the roar of Canadian football. It replaced Ivor Wynne Stadium on the exact same site — the Tiger-Cats’ home turf since 1930 — and opened in September 2014 as one of the most modern CFL stadiums in the country.
The stadium serves two tenants: the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL and Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League. On game days, this corner of Hamilton transforms — the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum is built directly into the stadium’s west side, making it the only CFL venue where you can tour the sport’s history before watching a live game.
CannonDesign led the architecture, with engineering by the Arup Group. The build cost $145 million CAD, funded by all three levels of government — $69 million federal, $54 million from the City of Hamilton, and $22 million from the Province of Ontario. Opening wasn’t smooth: portions of the upper west stand remained incomplete on opening day, and the city spent over $2.5 million on post-opening repairs due to construction deficiencies.
Despite the rocky start, the stadium has delivered. It hosted the 2015 Pan American Games soccer tournament, two Grey Cups (2021 and 2023), and a 2022 Canada-USA FIFA World Cup qualifier that sold out twice due to demand. The 110th Grey Cup in November 2023 drew 28,808 fans and saw the Montreal Alouettes defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-24.
Getting to Hamilton Stadium
Public Transit
HSR (Hamilton Street Railway) buses are the easiest way in. Transit is free with a valid Tiger-Cats or Forge FC game ticket.
→ From Hamilton GO Centre: Take HSR Route 2 (Barton) — buses run every 10 minutes. Get off at Melrose Ave, a 3-minute walk south to the stadium.
→ From Toronto Union Station: Take GO Transit train to West Harbour GO Station (about 80 minutes, $8-11 CAD with PRESTO). The station is 3.4 km from the stadium — transfer to HSR or take a rideshare.
On Tiger-Cats game days, express shuttle buses run from CF Lime Ridge Mall, Eastgate Square, and University Plaza starting 2 hours before kickoff.
Driving + Parking
GPS address: 64 Melrose Ave N, Hamilton, ON L8L 0C3.
→ From Toronto (71 km): Take the QEW West toward Hamilton. About 52 minutes without traffic.
→ From Niagara Falls (69 km): QEW North/West toward Hamilton. About 47 minutes.
→ From Burlington (21 km): QEW West. About 18 minutes.
Parking is limited. Gameday lots range from $10-25 CAD depending on proximity. The closest lots run $20-25; arrive early as they fill fast. Tailgating is available at Lot E (Chapele and Lloyd).
Rideshare
Uber operates in Hamilton (Lyft does not). Drop-off at 64 Melrose Ave N. A ride from downtown Hamilton costs about $10-15 CAD; from West Harbour GO Station about $8-12 CAD. Expect surge pricing after games — wait 15-20 minutes for fares to settle.
From the Airport
→ John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM): 13 km south, about 17 minutes by car. The most convenient airport for the stadium. Uber fare about $20-30 CAD.
→ Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ): 64 km northeast, about 49 minutes by car. The major international hub — connect via QEW West or GO Transit to Hamilton.
History of Hamilton Stadium
The ground beneath Hamilton Stadium has been home to football for nearly a century. Ivor Wynne Stadium — originally called Civic Stadium — opened on this site in 1930 and served as the Tiger-Cats’ home for over 60 years. Named in 1971 for former city councillor Ivor Wynne, the old concrete bowl was charming but aging, and by the 2010s it was clear a replacement was needed.
Demolition of Ivor Wynne began in early 2013. CannonDesign drew up the new stadium, and construction moved quickly — though not quickly enough. The grand opening on September 1, 2014, was the Tiger-Cats’ Labour Day Classic against the Toronto Argonauts. Hamilton won 13-12 before 18,135 fans, but parts of the upper west stand sat empty and unfinished.
Key moments in the stadium’s history:
- September 1, 2014: Inaugural game — Tiger-Cats defeat Argonauts 13-12 in the Labour Day Classic.
- July 2015: Hosts all 32 men’s and women’s soccer matches at the Pan American Games, temporarily renamed “CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium.”
- December 12, 2021 (108th Grey Cup): Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeat the Tiger-Cats 33-25 in overtime before an expanded crowd of 26,324.
- January 30, 2022: Canada defeats the USA in a FIFA World Cup qualifier that sold out twice, fueling Canada’s historic World Cup run.
- November 19, 2023 (110th Grey Cup): Montreal Alouettes beat Winnipeg 28-24 before 28,808 fans — the largest crowd in the stadium’s history.
The naming rights story is part of the venue’s identity. Tim Hortons held the rights from opening until December 2024 — fans knew it as “Timmy’s.” When the coffee chain declined to renew after their 10-year deal expired, the stadium reverted to the generic “Hamilton Stadium.” A new naming partner has yet to be announced, and locals have affectionately dubbed it “The Donut Box” in the interim. Whatever name ends up on the building, this ground has been Tiger-Cat territory since 1930 — and that’s not changing.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
Hamilton Stadium cost $145 million to build but required over $2.5 million in additional safety repairs within four years of opening due to construction deficiencies.
Every regular-season and playoff Tiger-Cats game at the stadium was completely sold out through the first few seasons — a 22-game sellout streak.
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum is built directly into the stadium's west side, making it the only sports hall of fame physically integrated into an active CFL venue.
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current name of Tim Hortons Field?
- The stadium is currently named Hamilton Stadium. The Tim Hortons naming rights deal expired in December 2024 and was not renewed. The City of Hamilton is seeking a new naming rights partner.
- What teams play at Hamilton Stadium?
- The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) and Forge FC (Canadian Premier League) both use the stadium as their home ground.
- How many seats does Hamilton Stadium have?
- The stadium has an official capacity of 22,500 seats. For major events like the Grey Cup, it can expand to over 26,000-28,000 with temporary seating.
- Is there parking at Hamilton Stadium?
- Limited parking is available in surrounding lots ranging from $10-25 CAD. Transit is strongly recommended — HSR bus service is free with a valid game ticket.
- Can I take a train to Hamilton Stadium?
- Yes. GO Transit runs frequent trains and buses from Toronto Union Station to Hamilton (about 80 minutes). From Hamilton GO Centre, HSR Route 2 reaches the stadium in minutes. Transit is free on game days with a ticket.
- When did Hamilton Stadium open?
- The stadium opened on September 1, 2014, hosting the Labour Day Classic between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts. Hamilton won 13-12.
- What was at this site before Hamilton Stadium?
- Ivor Wynne Stadium stood on the same site from 1930 until demolition in 2013. It was the Tiger-Cats' home for over 60 years.
- Has Hamilton Stadium hosted the Grey Cup?
- Yes — twice. The 108th Grey Cup (December 12, 2021) and the 110th Grey Cup (November 19, 2023) were both held at the stadium.
Last updated: 2026-03-10
