What is the seating capacity of Princess Auto Stadium?

Princess Auto Stadium has a capacity of 33,422 for CFL football, expandable to approximately 40,000 for major events like the Grey Cup. The stadium was designed by Raymond S.C. Wan Architects with Populous as design consultant.

Where is Princess Auto Stadium located?

Princess Auto Stadium is at 315 Chancellor Matheson Road on the University of Manitoba campus in south Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It sits at the intersection of Chancellor Matheson Drive and University Crescent, about 12 km south of downtown.

How do I get to Princess Auto Stadium by transit?

Winnipeg Transit runs game-day express buses: X74 (Kenaston-Keewatin), XF8 (Henderson-Pembina), and XBLUE directly to the stadium. Park-and-Ride service from Seel Station and Clarence Station on the Southwest Transitway costs CA$5 round trip. Regular routes 74 and F8 serve the area year-round.

Is there parking at Princess Auto Stadium?

The Gold and Blue lots on the east side cost CA$20 cash, the Black value lot costs CA$10, and Park-and-Ride from the Southwest Transitway is CA$5. Premium lots require pre-purchased passes. A free Bike Valet at the northeast gate holds up to 900 bicycles.

Has Princess Auto Stadium hosted a Grey Cup?

Yes. The stadium has hosted three Grey Cups: the 103rd Grey Cup (November 29, 2015 — Edmonton 26, Ottawa 20), the 107th Grey Cup (November 24, 2019 — Winnipeg 33, Hamilton 12, the Bombers' first title since 1990), and the 112th Grey Cup (November 16, 2025 — Saskatchewan 25, Montreal 17).

Why did the stadium change its name?

The stadium has had three names: Investors Group Field (2013), IG Field (2018 rebrand), and Princess Auto Stadium (April 2024 — 10-year deal with Winnipeg-based retailer Princess Auto). All three naming partners are headquartered in Winnipeg.

How far is the airport from Princess Auto Stadium?

Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) is approximately 16 km (10 miles) from the stadium — about a 19-minute drive. A taxi or rideshare costs CA$27-$32. Winnipeg Transit connects the two in about 55 minutes.

Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg MB - Capacity, History & Complete Visitor Guide

About Princess Auto Stadium

Princess Auto Stadium sits on the University of Manitoba campus in south Winnipeg — a 33,422-seat venue where the Winnipeg Blue Bombers play CFL football, where Valour FC competes in the Canadian Premier League, and where three naming-rights deals in 11 years have made this one of the most frequently renamed stadiums in Canadian sports.

The CA$210 million stadium, designed by Raymond S.C. Wan Architects with Populous as design consultant, opened in 2013 as Investors Group Field on the University of Manitoba campus. It replaced the aging Canad Inns Stadium and immediately became the Bombers’ home — though the cost overruns (nearly double the original CA$115 million budget) and subsequent lawsuits citing 42 construction deficiencies including water damage, cracked concrete, and inadequate insulation made it one of Canada’s most controversial stadium builds. The FieldTurf surface was upgraded to FieldTurf Vertex ahead of the 2024 season.

The venue has proven remarkably versatile. CFL football, CPL soccer, an NFL preseason game (Packers vs. Raiders, August 22, 2019), an NHL Heritage Classic (Jets vs. Flames, October 23, 2016), and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches — all at one stadium on a university campus in Winnipeg.

The Blue Bombers have rewarded the investment. After a 29-year championship drought, they won the Grey Cup at home on November 24, 2019 — their first title since 1990 — then won it again in 2021 for back-to-back championships. The stadium has hosted three Grey Cups in its first 12 years, establishing Princess Auto Stadium as one of the CFL’s premier championship venues.

Getting to Princess Auto Stadium

Public Transit

Winnipeg Transit runs dedicated express service for every Blue Bombers game and major event.

→ Via Game-Day Express: Routes X74 (Kenaston-Keewatin), XF8 (Henderson-Pembina), and XBLUE run directly to the stadium. Express buses depart from Stadium Station (Gate 4) after events.

→ Via Park-and-Ride: CA$5 round trip from Seel Station and Clarence Station on the Southwest Transitway.

→ Via Regular Bus: Routes 74 (Kenaston) and F8 serve the stadium area year-round.

The Park-and-Ride is the best value — CA$5 covers parking and the shuttle, compared to CA$20 for close-in lots.

Driving + Parking

The stadium address is 315 Chancellor Matheson Road, Winnipeg, MB. Pembina Highway and Kenaston Boulevard are the primary approaches.

→ From Brandon (~212 km): Trans-Canada Highway / MB-1 East. About 2 hours 20 minutes.

→ From Regina (~570 km): Trans-Canada Highway / Hwy 1 East. About 5 hours 45 minutes.

→ From Thunder Bay (~702 km): Trans-Canada Highway / Hwy 17 West. About 7 hours 45 minutes.

The Gold and Blue lots cost CA$20 cash, the Black value lot is CA$10, and the Park-and-Ride is CA$5. Premium lots require pre-purchased season passes. Unauthorized parking in university lots results in a CA$50 fine or towing.

Rideshare

Uber and taxis enter via Chancellor Matheson Road for drop-off. From downtown Winnipeg, expect CA$10–$15. From the airport, CA$27–$32. Post-game congestion is heavy — the Park-and-Ride avoids it entirely.

From the Airport

→ Winnipeg Richardson International (YWG): About 16 km (10 miles), roughly 19 minutes by car. Taxi or rideshare costs CA$27–$32. Winnipeg Transit connects the two in about 55 minutes. Route: Wellington Avenue to Route 90 South, then Kenaston Boulevard to Chancellor Matheson Road.

History of Princess Auto Stadium

Princess Auto Stadium was built to replace the aging Canad Inns Stadium. The project broke ground on May 20, 2010, at the University of Manitoba site. The original CA$115 million budget ballooned to CA$210 million, and construction deficiency lawsuits followed — but the stadium itself delivered on the field.

First Event (May 26, 2013): The stadium opened with “One Heart Winnipeg,” a multi-denominational celebration. The first CFL game followed on June 27, 2013 — the Blue Bombers lost 38-33 to the Montreal Alouettes.

2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup (June 2015): The stadium hosted group-stage matches including Sweden 3-3 Nigeria, USA, Australia, and Japan games — bringing international football to Winnipeg under FIFA’s no-commercial-name policy.

103rd Grey Cup (November 29, 2015): Edmonton defeated Ottawa 26-20 in the first Grey Cup at the new stadium, bringing the CFL championship back to Winnipeg for the first time since 2006. The event showcased the venue’s ability to handle the league’s marquee event.

NHL Heritage Classic (October 23, 2016): The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-0 in an outdoor hockey game before 33,518 fans. The alumni game featured Wayne Gretzky, Teemu Selanne, and Dale Hawerchuk — a night that proved the stadium could stage world-class events beyond football.

107th Grey Cup (November 24, 2019): The Blue Bombers defeated Hamilton 33-12 — their first Grey Cup championship in 29 years. Andrew Harris was named MVP in the Bombers’ home stadium, ending one of the longest title droughts in the CFL. The team repeated in 2021 with a 33-25 overtime win over Hamilton.

112th Grey Cup (November 16, 2025): Saskatchewan defeated Montreal 25-17, making this the third Grey Cup hosted at the venue in just 12 years.

From construction controversies to three Grey Cups to four professional leagues on one pitch, Princess Auto Stadium is where Winnipeg football lives — a versatile venue on a university campus that has hosted more major events in its first decade than most stadiums see in a generation.