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CFL · VENUE FILE

McMahon Stadium

Calgary Stampeders · Calgary Dinos (U Sports)

McMahon Stadium is a outdoor stadium in Calgary, AB known for calgary's classic cfl stadium and 1988 winter olympics ceremony venue.

District: University of Calgary / Banff Trail

S / 58 — OPEN STANDSARCHITECTURAL RENDERSTADIUMS.CA

Original architectural render. Geometry is illustrative.

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MCMAHON STADIUM

Calgary, Alberta

StadiumDistrict · University of Calgary / Banff Trail

McMahon Stadium is a outdoor stadium in Calgary, AB known for calgary's classic cfl stadium and 1988 winter olympics ceremony venue.

Capacity
35,650
Opened
1960
Roof
Outdoor
FieldTurf
Owner
McMahon Stadium Society (leased from University of Calgary)

TICKETMASTER / UPCOMING EVENTS

Events & tickets

Checking the venue's Ticketmaster schedule…

Event and ticket data via Ticketmaster. Dates, status, availability and pricing may change. Times above are local to the venue. This feed is separate from the attendance archive.

HOME FIXTURES / TICKETMASTER

Team schedules

Upcoming home games for McMahon Stadium's teams. The feed is a selection of ticketed events, not a complete season calendar.

Checking the home schedule…

Schedule and ticket data via Ticketmaster. Times are local to the venue. Event dates and availability may change.

Where It Is

Location & Conditions

Calgary · 51.0703, -114.1217 Directions

Right Now

Loading conditions…

Live weather via Open-Meteo.

The Building

Overview

McMahon Stadium is Calgary's long-time outdoor football stadium and the home of the Calgary Stampeders. Opened in 1960, it has hosted CFL football, Grey Cups, University of Calgary Dinos games and major civic events. The venue is also historically tied to the 1988 Winter Olympics, making it important beyond football.

Built in just 103 days in 1960 by oilman brothers Frank and George McMahon, McMahon Stadium has been the Calgary Stampeders' home ever since. It has hosted four Grey Cups, the 1988 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, and remains a beloved (if aging) cathedral of Canadian football.

A replacement is in long-term planning, but until then the building stays one of the loudest, most intimate venues in the CFL.

By the Numbers

Capacity Breakdown

35,650

  • Football35,650

Configuration may vary for special events.

Source-Backed

Verified Facts

  • Opened August 15, 1960.
  • University of Calgary source says the stadium was built quickly and welcomed the Stampeders and 20,000 fans at opening.
  • Current capacity should be handled carefully because Stampeders and historical sources present different capacity figures over time.

Through the Years

History & Timeline

  1. 1960Opens August 15 — built in 103 days
  2. 1988Hosts Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies
  3. 1993Hosts Grey Cup (Eskimos win 25th franchise title)
  4. 2009Hosts Grey Cup (Stamps win 6th)

Who Plays Here

Tenants

Current

  • Calgary Stampeders
  • Calgary Dinos (U Sports)

Memorable Moments

Notable Events & Records

  • 1988 Winter Olympics ceremonies
  • Four Grey Cups (1975, 1993, 2000, 2009)
  • Annual Stamps–Eskimos Labour Day Classic

In the Bowl

Seating Guide

Bench seating throughout — bring a cushion or rent one. West-side seats face the afternoon sun; east-side stays in shade. The Touchdown Zone end-zone party deck is the social spot.

Game Day

Getting There

Banff Trail C-Train station is a 10-minute walk. McMahon parking opens 4 hours before kickoff for tailgating.

Concessions

Food & Amenities

Alberta beef burgers, Caesar bars, Big Rock and Wild Rose taps. Local pre-game spots include The Unicorn pub on Stephen Avenue.

Climate

Weather Notes

Late-season Chinook winds can swing temperatures 30°C in a day. Dress in layers.

Plan Your Visit

Visitor Policies

Policies can vary by event, league, artist tour, promoter and ticket issuer. Always check the official venue page and your event/ticket details before you go.

What to check before you go

  • bag policy
  • prohibited items
  • camera/video rules
  • mobile tickets
  • cashless payments
  • re-entry
  • accessibility entrances
  • transit and parking
  • door times
  • food and beverage
  • family washrooms
  • sensory/accessibility accommodations

Crowd Figures

Attendance Archive

No verified attendance entries in our archive yet for McMahon Stadium. We only publish crowd figures we can tie to a named source, so this section stays empty rather than showing estimates.

Browse the full archive How we read these numbers

Going Deeper

Related Guides

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

When was McMahon Stadium built?

It opened on August 15, 1960, built in just 103 days by the McMahon brothers.

Was McMahon Stadium used in the Olympics?

Yes — it hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

Who plays at McMahon Stadium?

The Calgary Stampeders and Calgary Dinos use McMahon Stadium.

When did McMahon Stadium open?

McMahon Stadium opened in 1960.

Did McMahon Stadium host Olympic events?

McMahon Stadium was part of Calgary's 1988 Winter Olympics story, including ceremony use.

Where is McMahon Stadium?

McMahon Stadium is in Calgary, AB, Canada.

What leagues are associated with McMahon Stadium?

McMahon Stadium is associated with CFL, U Sports.

What is the capacity of McMahon Stadium?

McMahon Stadium capacity should be read by event configuration: 35,650. Configuration may vary for special events.

What teams play at McMahon Stadium?

Current or notable teams associated with McMahon Stadium include Calgary Stampeders, Calgary Dinos.

Why is McMahon Stadium important?

Calgary's classic CFL stadium and 1988 Winter Olympics ceremony venue.

What should visitors check before going to McMahon Stadium?

Visitors should confirm current bag rules, mobile-ticket requirements, camera policies, accessibility entry, transit updates and event-specific restrictions on the official McMahon Stadium or ticket issuer page before attending. Policies can vary by event.

Research

Sources & Verification

More to Explore

RELATED STADIUMS

STADIUMS.CA / ORIGINAL ARTWORK

The shape of the place.

About these renders and their reference material

An original venue-type study. It is not a measured reconstruction of this building, an official seating chart, or a verified ticket view.

These original scenes are drawn from geometric models. No third-party venue photographs are displayed. Use the venue’s current resources for ticket sightlines, access and event configurations.