About Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre sits in the heart of downtown Toronto, in the shadow of the CN Tower, at the southern edge of the Entertainment District. At approximately 41,500 seats following the ongoing renovation, itโs the home of the Toronto Blue Jays โ Canadaโs only Major League Baseball team โ and one of the most recognizable stadiums in North America.
When it opened as SkyDome on June 3, 1989, it was the most technologically advanced stadium on the planet. The worldโs first fully retractable motorized roof โ 11,000 tonnes of steel moving on rail tracks โ made it an engineering marvel and an instant landmark. Over 50,000 people attended opening day, and the building became as much a tourist attraction as a sports venue.
The $300 million multi-phase renovation that began in 2023 is the most significant transformation since the building opened. Phase one replaced the entire 100-level seating bowl. Phase two (2024) rebuilt the 200-level and added a neighbourhood-style gathering area in left field. Phase three (2025) is completing the 500-level and outfield sections. The result is a modern ballpark experience inside the bones of a 1980s megastructure โ asymmetric outfield walls, wider concourses, premium clubs, and sightlines to the CN Tower and city skyline through new panoramic windows.
Rogers Centre has hosted far more than baseball. WrestleMania VI and X8, NBA All-Star Games, Grey Cup championships, international soccer matches, and concerts from the Rolling Stones to Taylor Swift have all played under the retractable roof. The building has drawn over 65 million visitors since opening.
Getting to Rogers Centre
Public Transit
Torontoโs transit infrastructure makes Rogers Centre one of the most accessible stadiums in professional sports. Union Station โ the cityโs main transit hub โ is a 5-minute walk from the gates through the enclosed SkyWalk.
โ From Downtown Toronto: Take the TTC subway Line 1 (Yonge-University) to Union Station. Follow signs for the SkyWalk โ a climate-controlled pedestrian bridge that leads directly to Rogers Centre.
โ From the Greater Toronto Area: GO Transit commuter trains from Mississauga, Hamilton, Oakville, Oshawa, Barrie, and other regional centres all terminate at Union Station. Service increases on game days.
The TTC streetcar routes 509 (Harbourfront) and 510 (Spadina) stop within a few minutesโ walk. On game days, Union Station gets busy โ arrive 15-20 minutes early to clear the crowds.
Driving + Parking
Rogers Centre is in the middle of downtown Toronto โ driving is possible but not recommended on game days. GPS users should enter โ1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON M5V 1J1.โ
โ From Highway 401 (from the east/west): Take the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) south or Highway 427 south to the Gardiner Expressway. Exit at Spadina Avenue or Rees Street and head south to Bremner Boulevard.
โ From Niagara Falls / Hamilton (~130 km): Take the QEW east to the Gardiner Expressway. Exit at Spadina Avenue and follow signs south to the stadium.
โ From Buffalo, NY (~160 km): Cross at the Peace Bridge or Lewiston-Queenston Bridge into Ontario. Take the QEW east to the Gardiner Expressway into downtown Toronto.
There is no dedicated Rogers Centre parking lot. Green P municipal lots on Rees Street and Bremner Boulevard are the closest public options ($20-40 CAD on game days). Private garages in the Entertainment District are plentiful but pricey. Transit via Union Station is the smart play.
Rideshare
Uber operates widely in Toronto. The designated rideshare pickup/drop-off area is on Bremner Boulevard near the Roundhouse. Post-game, the streets around Rogers Centre become gridlocked โ expect 15-25 minute waits.
Pro tip: Walk east to York Street or north to King Street before requesting a ride. Youโll avoid the worst congestion and likely get picked up faster.
From the Airport
โ Toronto Pearson International (YYZ): 27 km (17 miles) northwest, 30-50 minutes by car depending on traffic. The UP Express train runs from Pearson to Union Station in 25 minutes for $12.35 CAD โ the fastest and most reliable option.
โ Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ): 1.5 km south, practically next door. A free shuttle ferry and pedestrian tunnel connect the island airport to the mainland. Walking to Rogers Centre takes about 15 minutes.
History of Rogers Centre
The idea for a domed stadium in Toronto gained momentum after the Blue Jaysโ early seasons at Exhibition Stadium, where players and fans endured brutal Canadian winters and unpredictable weather. Ontario Premier Bill Davis announced the project in 1983. After years of debate over location and design โ the original plan was for a fixed dome โ architect Rod Robbie won with his revolutionary retractable roof concept.
Construction began in 1986 on former rail yards south of the CN Tower. The 32-month build employed over 12,000 workers and cost $570 million CAD, funded jointly by the Ontario government and private sector. When the roof opened for the first time on June 3, 1989, it was a genuine engineering milestone.
- Opening Day (June 3, 1989): Over 48,000 fans watched the Blue Jays lose 5-3 to the Milwaukee Brewers, but the retractable roof stole the show.
- 1992 World Series (October 1992): The Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-2 to become the first non-American team to win the World Series. SkyDome hosted Games 3, 4, and 5.
- 1993 World Series (October 1993): Joe Carterโs walk-off home run in Game 6 against the Philadelphia Phillies โ one of the most iconic moments in baseball history โ happened here, giving Toronto back-to-back titles.
- WrestleMania X8 (March 17, 2002): Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock drew 68,237 fans to SkyDome in one of WWEโs biggest events ever.
- Naming Change (2005): Rogers Communications acquired naming rights and the venue became Rogers Centre.
- $300 Million Renovation (2023-2025): The most comprehensive transformation since opening, rebuilding the seating bowl, adding premium spaces, and modernizing the entire fan experience.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
Rogers Centre was the world's first stadium with a fully retractable motorized roof when it opened as SkyDome in 1989 โ the 11,000-tonne roof takes 20 minutes to open or close.
The CN Tower, one of the world's tallest freestanding structures at 553 meters, stands directly adjacent to the stadium โ its shadow crosses the field on sunny afternoons.
An ongoing $300 million renovation (2023-2025) is transforming the interior with a new asymmetric playing field, 100-level seating bowl, and a 'neighbourhood' gathering area in left field.
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the seating capacity of Rogers Centre?
- Rogers Centre holds approximately 41,500 for baseball following the ongoing multi-phase renovation (2023-2025). The original SkyDome configuration held 50,516 for baseball. The renovation is reducing capacity in favor of premium seating and fan experience improvements.
- Where is Rogers Centre located?
- Rogers Centre is at 1 Blue Jays Way in downtown Toronto, Ontario, directly adjacent to the CN Tower and a 5-minute walk south of Union Station through the SkyWalk enclosed walkway.
- How do I get to Rogers Centre by public transit?
- Take the TTC subway (Line 1 Yonge-University) to Union Station. Follow signs for the SkyWalk โ a climate-controlled walkway that leads directly to the stadium in about 5 minutes. GO Transit commuter trains from across the Greater Toronto Area also terminate at Union Station.
- Does Rogers Centre have a retractable roof?
- Yes. Rogers Centre was the world's first stadium with a fully retractable motorized roof when it opened in 1989. The 11,000-tonne, four-panel roof takes approximately 20 minutes to open or close. The Blue Jays open it whenever weather permits โ generally above 15ยฐC with no rain.
- Is there parking at Rogers Centre?
- Limited. There is no dedicated Rogers Centre parking lot. Nearby options include Green P lots on Rees Street and Bremner Boulevard, plus private garages throughout the Entertainment District. Expect to pay $20-40 CAD on game days. Public transit via Union Station is strongly recommended.
- When was Rogers Centre built?
- Rogers Centre opened on June 3, 1989, as SkyDome. It was built in 32 months at a cost of $570 million CAD. The name changed to Rogers Centre in 2005 when Rogers Communications acquired naming rights. A $300 million renovation began in 2023.
- What is the bag policy at Rogers Centre?
- Single-compartment bags no larger than 16x16x8 inches are permitted. Backpacks, hard-sided containers, and outside food containers are prohibited. Small soft-sided purses and diaper bags are allowed.
- Can you see the CN Tower from inside Rogers Centre?
- Yes. When the roof is open, the CN Tower is dramatically visible from most seating areas. Even with the roof closed, new panoramic windows installed during the 2023-2025 renovation provide sightlines to the tower and city skyline.
Last updated: 2026-02-25
