Canadian Arenas- The worlds best!

the saddledome!
http://individual.utoronto.ca/hendrik/west/images/Calgary006.jpg

http://www.hockeyarenas.com/stadien/neuefotosnhl/calgary/saddledome4.jpg

http://www.hockeyarenas.com/stadien/neuefotosnhl/calgary/sadddledomeinnen.jpg

air canada centre!
http://www.aerialphotography.ca/images/AIR_CANADA_CENTRE.JPG

http://www.ancsaco.net/photogallery/imagenes/productos/Sony.jpg

bc place stadium

http://www.seestanleypark.com/dtoverview/aerial/lgdtovair12.JPG

http://www.seestanleypark.com/dtoverview/aerial/lgdtovair12.JPG

http://www.hockeyarenas.com/stadien/neuefotosnhl/vancouver/vancenter4.jpg

http://www.itaintrocketscience.ca/Case%20Studies%20Folder/Bell/Bell-Skydome.full.gif

I wouldn't say the world's best, but there nice too.

well the arena's are among the best, are stadiums arent...the US is the only other country that has a set of ARENA's as good as Canada's.

well the arena's are among the best, are stadiums arent...the US is the only other country that has a set of ARENA's as good as Canada's.


what are you on about, north american arenas are big but they look really ugly. west european countries, japan & south korea are all way better than canada or the usa's arenas :yes:

That is a very nice Rounders stadium you posted. Which team plays there?

what are you on about, north american arenas are big but they look really ugly. west european countries, japan & south korea are all way better than canada or the usa's arenas

o really? We are talking about basketball/hockey venues, right? Or should Soldier Field, Lambeau, Paul Brown, Reliant, etc be thrown in the mix. If so, that's another discussion that already has a huge thread. I think the conclusion was, Europe and Asia focus on modern exterior design, with more ordinary bowls for most. North American have much more posh interiors with tons more luxury suites and boxes. NA's also tend to have more traditional exteriors, often using brick and limestone combinations. The bowls reflect the sport more than anything. Hard to say one is better than the other because the needs of the sports are different. Example, the Greek Olympic Stadium, or Allainz in Germany are much more modernly designed on the exterior than most you see in the US, but neither have the interior bowl and amenties that a Reliant or Soldier Field, nor do the have the mix of modern, yet old timey exterior like Miller Park or countless modern baseball parks in the majors. Just two different worlds.

BUT, we are talking basketball/hockey. If so, the NBA/NHL arena are the best.

The American Airlines Center in Dallas
Most expensive Arena in the NBA ($420 million)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/rantanamo/The%20AAC/TREAACenter1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/rantanamo/The%20AAC/DSCF0003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/rantanamo/The%20AAC/33111500Ksnjju_fs.jpg

http://www.crazycampbells.com/images/MergedArena.jpg

http://www.crazycampbells.com/archive/images/Sports/20011009_98.jpg
http://www.thesportsroadtrip.com/dallas05.jpg

At each corner are rotundas with sport scenes done in mosaic into the floor
http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/projects/american_airlines/images/img4.jpg

huge scoreboard with 10 video screens. There are actually 2 more larger screens on either end of the arena
http://www.crazycampbells.com/archive/images/Sports/20011009_129.jpg

AAC at night
http://www.crazycampbells.com/archive/images/Sports/20011009_130.jpg

I agree the Canadian arenas are nice. But the skydome and BC Place's football dome aren't stadiums. Different catergory. Here's some pics of Canadian Arenas not yet posted.
http://www.fiatlux.org/p_centre_molson_600.JPG
http://nhlfr.free.fr/actualites/dossiers/patinoires/molsoncentre.jpg
http://www.hockeyarenas.com/stadien/neuefotosnhl/montreal/bellecentre.jpg
The Molson Centre or what is now the Centre Bell. Gotta love the steep slopes giving an overhead view of the action.
------------------------------------------------

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/kanata_corel_centre.jpg
http://www.askthebookie.com/img/hockey_teams_logos/stadiums/corel-center.jpg
The Corel Center outside of Ottawa.



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http://www.sfo.com/~csuppes/NHL/EdmontonOilers/pictures/1.jpg
The Skyreach Centre in Edmonton. Sorry only cool pic I could find.


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http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Stadium/1870/65.jpg
http://www.seestanleypark.com/dtoverview/aerial/lgdtovair12.JPG
GM Place in Vancouver



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http://home.no.net/jonvbull/images/Calgary/hockey.jpg
http://www.macleodtrail.com/Dome5.jpg
And the Greatest Arena in the World. No, it's not a giant potatoe chip. No, it's not a spaceship. Yes, it's better than the AAC in Dallas and the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. It's the Saddledome. Old School seems to be the best way to describe it. It's a real arena, not a suite fest like all of the new ones and has the coolest shape of any North America arena still standing. Would've loved to see the Flames pull of that game 6 in the finals and see the roof blow off of that place.

I agree the Canadian arenas are nice. But the skydome and BC Place's football dome aren't stadiums. Different catergory. Here's some pics of Canadian Arenas not yet posted.
http://www.fiatlux.org/p_centre_molson_600.JPG
http://nhlfr.free.fr/actualites/dossiers/patinoires/molsoncentre.jpg
http://www.hockeyarenas.com/stadien/neuefotosnhl/montreal/bellecentre.jpg
The Molson Centre or what is now the Centre Bell. Gotta love the steep slopes giving an overhead view of the action.
------------------------------------------------

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/kanata_corel_centre.jpg
http://www.askthebookie.com/img/hockey_teams_logos/stadiums/corel-center.jpg
The Corel Center outside of Ottawa.



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http://www.sfo.com/~csuppes/NHL/EdmontonOilers/pictures/1.jpg
The Skyreach Centre in Edmonton. Sorry only cool pic I could find.


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http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Stadium/1870/65.jpg
http://www.seestanleypark.com/dtoverview/aerial/lgdtovair12.JPG
GM Place in Vancouver



----------------------------------------------------
http://home.no.net/jonvbull/images/Calgary/hockey.jpg
http://www.macleodtrail.com/Dome5.jpg
And the Greatest Arena in the World. No, it's not a giant potatoe chip. No, it's not a spaceship. Yes, it's better than the AAC in Dallas and the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. It's the Saddledome. Old School seems to be the best way to describe it. It's a real arena, not a suite fest like all of the new ones and has the coolest shape of any North America arena still standing. Would've loved to see the Flames pull of that game 6 in the finals and see the roof blow off of that place.


Umm no, its just an early suite fest before demand was really up there. If minimal suites is what makes an arena good, then countless arena in the NBA would probably go ahead of this. Only 'real' arenas are in college these days.

Here's the Air Canada Center in Toronto, its probably the best one in Canada.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/drjoe12/stadiums%20and%20arenas/27350848.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/drjoe12/stadiums%20and%20arenas/27350630.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/drjoe12/stadiums%20and%20arenas/93967611sLAeNy_ph.jpg

Here's the Air Canada Center in Toronto, its probably the best one in Canada.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/drjoe12/stadiums%20and%20arenas/27350848.jpg

I've ALWAYS wanted to push that big red button...

Other than that, I don't see how ACC is any better/worse than other arenas in Canada. If we're talking interiors... I think the differences are marginal. Architecturally... ACC looks much better in person than it does in that blocky aerial.

how do you figure the interior differences are marginal???Look at the Saddledome pictures and the ACC ones and tell me they look similar.

what are you on about, north american arenas are big but they look really ugly. west european countries, japan & south korea are all way better than canada or the usa's arenas :yes:

o really??
duh!!!! do u guyz even play hockey or basketballl
even if u do, i ve never heard of ur teams before
maybe u dont even have any teams.
com on
thers no point in comparing North america and asia.
so SHUT UP !
u dont like it, go F*&% off!

settle down man

That is a very nice Rounders stadium you posted. Which team plays there?

The Toronto Blue Jays of MLB, and the Toronto Argonuts of Canadian "Football" League.

My first try at a image post. So hopefully you'll see Kelowna's Prospera Place, on the Lake. These photos were taken when it was previously names Skyreach Place.

http://www.robtrent.com/photos/arena.jpg
http://www.robtrent.com/photos/lagoon.jpg

I've always liked Olympic Stadium, myself, even if it is a spaceship...
http://www.dam.brown.edu/people/glin/Trip_in_Canada/postcards/montreal/Olympic-stadium.jpg

We seem to be mixing up arenas and stadiums....aren't they different?


Anyway, what makes ACC stand out in a great way, is not it's aestetics or interior (which is pretty nice)...it's the connectivity....it has direct indoor access to PATH, subway, light rail, VIA Rail, GO Transit commuter trains and buses.

It is just a very good urban neighbour...it's right in the heart of downtown, without introducing giant parking lots or bad access which contributes to bad urban design as most others do.

You can also walk indoors from the ACC to the Hockey Hall Of Fame over in BCE Place.

And you guys forgot the best....MLG...ok...it looks like it might be turned into a Loblaws...but it's still around at least....the last bastion of the Origional Six arenas....a shrine to hockey.






KGB

what are you on about, north american arenas are big but they look really ugly. west european countries, japan & south korea are all way better than canada or the usa's arenas

I have tried to find pictures on indoor arenas (ie, basketball, hockey, etc) in Europe and Asia before, but have had little luck. There is plenty out there on stadiums from everywhere and arenas in North America, but not arenas eslewhere, at least as far as I can tell.

Are there any good sites to look for pics and info on European/Asian basketball arenas?

I have tried to find pictures on indoor arenas (ie, basketball, hockey, etc) in Europe and Asia before, but have had little luck. There is plenty out there on stadiums from everywhere and arenas in North America, but not arenas eslewhere, at least as far as I can tell.

Are there any good sites to look for pics and info on European/Asian basketball arenas?


To me there is no doubt that US/Canada has the better anenas, but some new, rather large ones, have been built in Europe the last years. I'm sure more is comming.

Hare are a few photos from www.stadionwelt.de (you can find more there) from some of the newer ones, I hope it's okay to use them:

Kölnarena, Cologne, Germany - 18.500:

http://www.stadionwelt.de/Stadionwelt-Stadien-Arenen/Eishockey/Eishockey-Listen/Deutschland/KoelnArena/Eishockey_2.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/Stadionwelt-Stadien-Arenen/Eishockey/Eishockey-Listen/Deutschland/KoelnArena/Luftaufnahme.jpg


ColorLineArena, Hamburg, Germany - 12.759:

http://www.stadionwelt.de/Stadionwelt-Stadien-Arenen/Handball/Handball-Listen/Deutschland/ColorLineArena/ColorLine_01.jpg

http://www.stadionwelt.de/Stadionwelt-Stadien-Arenen/Handball/Handball-Listen/Deutschland/ColorLineArena/ColorLine_09.jpg


Sazka Arena, Prag, Chech - 17.000:

http://www.stadionwelt.de/Stadionwelt-Stadien-Arenen/Eishockey/Eishockey-Listen/Sonstige/Tschechische_Rep/Sazka-Arena/Sazka-Arena_05.jpg


(from www.sazkaarena.com]
http://www.sazkaarena.com/pics/galerie/30rijna02/zakresy/big/b11.jpg


Globe Arena, Stockholm, Sweden - 13.850:

(photo from http://electron.cs.uwindsor.ca/60-270/04S/torranc/location.html)

http://electron.cs.uwindsor.ca/60-270/04S/torranc/images/globe.bmp


Hartwell Arena, Helsinki, Finland - 13.665:

(photo from http://electron.cs.uwindsor.ca/60-270/04S/torranc/location.html)

http://electron.cs.uwindsor.ca/60-270/04S/torranc/images/hartwell.bmp


There are other new ones too, but don't have any information on them:)

Oh, just found another website, with some information about euro arenas - European Areans Association (http://www.eaaoffice.org/)

EDIT: And another, http://www.hockeyarenas.net/

I think the Bell Centre (formerly the Molson Centre) in Montreal is the best arena in Canada. It's equally well served by public transit and it's larger than the ACC.

http://nhlfr.free.fr/actualites/dossiers/patinoires/molsoncentre.jpg

http://cac.mcgill.ca/cac/bland/building/pictures/full/500-25.jpg

http://www.centrebell.ca/_static/images/www/pages/apropos/CentreBell_ext2.jpg

http://www.askthebookie.com/img/hockey_teams_logos/stadiums/centre-bell.jpg

The Bell Centre is accessible to all. By Metro and by bus Lign 2 (orange) of the metro serves both Lucien-L'Allier and Bonaventure stations.

Commuter trains Close by is the Windsor Train Station. Also accessible from the Central Train Station.

By car Highways and bridges will get you there. Autoroutes 10, 20, 40; Champlain, Victoria, Jacques-Cartier and Mercier Bridges; Louis-H.-Lafontaine Tunnel.

Seats: 21,450 hockey fans

Here is the Arena from Bern. The Team with best Attendance in Europe.

http://hockeyarenas.net/index.php3?page=3000&strSearch=bern&arID=1

MEN Arena, Manchester, England:

Capacity 21,000. You can see the light rail lines going into the station underneath the arena.

http://www.hockeyarenas.net/hockeyarenas/stadien/gb/manches/men0.jpg

SKYDOME still impresses me due to it multiple uses
GO TORONTO 2016

Here is the Arena from Bern. The Team with best Attendance in Europe.

http://hockeyarenas.net/index.php3?page=3000&strSearch=bern&arID=1
That reminds of the Sattledome.

Cool Arenas (No experiance with them)

http://www.seestanleypark.com/dtoverview/aerial/lgdtovair12.JPG

Huge Bed!!!

I know it's all about Canadian Arena's over here but just for the record:

What about the sportpaleis ('the old lady') in Antwerp, built in 1932. Probably one of the oldest and certainly one of the the bigger (appx. 15.000 seats) indoor arena's in Europe:

http://www.sportpaleis.be/images/foto_avond.jpg

http://www.sportpaleis.be

Or the Amsterdam ArenA, with 'just' 48.984 seats, lightrail, train, P&R:

http://www.wwp-diemen.nl/lucht/images/arena02.jpg

http://arsiv.hurriyetim.com.tr/euro2000/images/stadlar/std/arena.jpg

In terms of Canadian stadia, I can't go past Montréal's Olympic stadium, way way way ahead of its time, and it's just timeless, completely synonymous with Canada. Leaps and bounds ahead of the rest, by a country mile!

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/69montreal_est.jpg

Tayser,

that last picture of Montreal and the pink sky, i'm using it as my screen saver!

I hate these giant concrete blocks like the SKYDOME and Olympic Stadium. I think Commonwealth stadium is by the far the best stadium in Canada. There is no atmosphere in these giant concrete stadiums.

Two more of Ontario's greatest arenas:

The John Labatt Centre, London, Ontario, 10,000+ seating capacity and home to the OHL's London Knights Major Junior Canadian hockey team and hosts major events. Seen MANY Knights games here.

http://www.super-password.com/jlc1.jpg
http://www.super-password.com/jlc2.jpg
http://www.super-password.com/jlc5.jpg

Copps Coliseum, Hamilton's 17,500 seat arena, supposed to home to a future NHL franchise, but lost out twice. Is home to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL and hosts major events.

http://www.super-password.com/hamilton-wallpaper5.jpg
http://www.super-password.com/copps.jpg

The old Maple Leaf Gardens, officially closed in 1999 as the old home of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs. Seated 16,500. On Carlton and Church in downtown Toronto. Only NHL game I saw in Toronto was here in 1996, when I used to be a Leafs fan. :)

http://www.super-password.com/MapleLeafGardens.jpg
http://www.sportsposterwarehouse.com/warehouse/mlg99-d-1.jpg

Here's the FRONT of Ottawa's 18,000 seat Corel Centre (I know it was shown before, but I wanna contribute). It's on the west end of Highway 417 in Kanata, Ontario.

http://www.super-password.com/fac1.jpg

It seems that our only aesthetically pleasing arena is the Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

except it's not an arena.

I hate "the best in the world" sentence !! men you do have cool arenas but they aren't best in the world?? in what design? capacity. It's your own private opinion don't force us to think the way you do. d**n it.... wrrr

MTS Centre in Winnipeg:
http://img223.exs.cx:81/img223/9651/mtscentre74cr.jpg
http://img131.exs.cx:81/img131/610/mtscentre69rl.jpg
http://img131.exs.cx:81/img131/1047/mtscentre55xp.jpg
http://img189.exs.cx:81/img189/9765/mtscentre4construction4tv.jpg
http://img189.exs.cx:81/img189/1189/mtscentre35fj.jpg
http://img26.exs.cx:81/img26/6250/mtscentre28ge.jpg
http://img189.exs.cx:81/img189/2498/mtscentre10vd.jpg

Canwest Global Park
http://img47.exs.cx:81/img47/9360/cwgp0fs.jpg
http://img189.exs.cx:81/img189/6889/ballparkatnight8008gn.jpg

the mts centre in wpg is the shit. i went to see the tragically hip there and it was frickin great.

^ I concur about the MTS Centre. It looks sweet enough to have an NHL team back in there! I wish I could even see a Moose game there, but it's sooooo far away from where I live. I love London's downtown JLC, but the MTS in Winnipeg looks awesome! :)

I hate "the best in the world" sentence !! men you do have cool arenas but they aren't best in the world?? in what design? capacity. It's your own private opinion don't force us to think the way you do. d**n it.... wrrr
Where did anyone force their opinion on anyone? Read the thread before posting.

And people, there's a difference between a stadium and an arena.

The saddledome looks alot like our SEF stadium in Greece (or maybe the other way around? :D ).... which year was it built?



http://www.athens2004.com/Images/Multimedia/images/11Aug2004Sef1_p.jpg

http://www.athens2004.com/Images/Multimedia/images/11Aug2004Sef2_p.jpg

http://img61.exs.cx/img61/7870/sef41ol.jpg

http://img61.exs.cx/img61/26/sef30em.jpg

http://img229.exs.cx/img229/6163/sefkaraiskaki2vm.jpg

http://www.stadia.gr/sef/sefnew9.jpg


*pics from athens2004.com and stadia.gr

But we can't forget what was once a wonder in its time ...

the Moose Jaw Civic Centre (aka "The Crushed Can") in Moose Jaw, Sask.

http://cshl.0catch.com/pix/brandon04/moosejaw-arena.jpg
http://cshl.0catch.com/pix/coupedegrey/crushedcan1.jpg
http://cshl.0catch.com/pix/coupedegrey/crushedcan2.jpg


Not only does the low-slung roof cut off fans' views of the stands on the opposing side, it also saves on the heating bill.

Classic rink, great place to watch a hockey game. The city's been talking for years about replacing the now-45-year-old barn (inaugral event, I believe, was a performance by Louis Armstrong). I suspect it's only a matter of time.

o really? We are talking about basketball/hockey venues, right? Or should Soldier Field, Lambeau, Paul Brown, Reliant, etc be thrown in the mix. If so, that's another discussion that already has a huge thread. I think the conclusion was, Europe and Asia focus on modern exterior design, with more ordinary bowls for most. North American have much more posh interiors with tons more luxury suites and boxes. NA's also tend to have more traditional exteriors, often using brick and limestone combinations. The bowls reflect the sport more than anything. Hard to say one is better than the other because the needs of the sports are different. Example, the Greek Olympic Stadium, or Allainz in Germany are much more modernly designed on the exterior than most you see in the US, but neither have the interior bowl and amenties that a Reliant or Soldier Field, nor do the have the mix of modern, yet old timey exterior like Miller Park or countless modern baseball parks in the majors. Just two different worlds.

BUT, we are talking basketball/hockey. If so, the NBA/NHL arena are the best.

The American Airlines Center in Dallas
Most expensive Arena in the NBA ($420 million)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/rantanamo/The%20AAC/TREAACenter1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/rantanamo/The%20AAC/DSCF0003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/rantanamo/The%20AAC/33111500Ksnjju_fs.jpg

http://www.crazycampbells.com/images/MergedArena.jpg

http://www.crazycampbells.com/archive/images/Sports/20011009_98.jpg
http://www.thesportsroadtrip.com/dallas05.jpg

At each corner are rotundas with sport scenes done in mosaic into the floor
http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/projects/american_airlines/images/img4.jpg

huge scoreboard with 10 video screens. There are actually 2 more larger screens on either end of the arena
http://www.crazycampbells.com/archive/images/Sports/20011009_129.jpg

AAC at night
http://www.crazycampbells.com/archive/images/Sports/20011009_130.jpg


Is it normal that in Basket Arena's , the visitors are divided in such little compartiments?it's quite rare, isn't it?

I believe that in 2016 or 2020 that Toronto would be a perfect candidate for the Summer Olympics. Toronto is a lively, diverse, beutiful city with so much to offer, and would make a great host. What do you think?

Here are some already existing venues in Toronto:

SkyDome:
http://www.arrakeen.ch/usaaug98/051%20%20Toronto%20%20inside%20the%20Skydome.jpg
http://www.minorleagueballparks.com/skydome.jpg

Air Canada Center:
http://www.tmlfever.com/files/acc_pics.gif
http://www.gastonl.com/public/nba1.jpg

Rexall Center:
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/toronto_rexall.jpg

Ricoh Coliseum:
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/toronto_ricoh.jpg

Lamport Stadium:
http://www.boldts.net/photos/TorKd2.jpeg

Woodbine Racetrack:
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/rexdale_woodbine.jpg

http://www.boldts.net/photos/TorKd2.jpeg

its HUGE!

Ofcourse Toronto should host a future Olympic Games, Toronto had the best technical bid for the 2008 Olympic Games. But for geopolitical reasons Beijing won. If a European city wins the 2012 Olympic Games i.e London, Paris or Madrid. Than Toronto if they choose to campaign for the 2016 Olympic Games will be in all likelihood be competing against San Francisco to host it in North America.

I have always been a propoent of a Toronto Games but Vancouver 2010???. 2016 ad 2020 Should be a race between cape town, buenos aires, perhaps toronto and others, perhaps toronto 2024??But yes i was very impressed by the 2000 and 2008 Toronto Bids...

I have always been a propoent of a Toronto Games but Vancouver 2010???. 2016 ad 2020 Should be a race between cape town, buenos aires, perhaps toronto and others, perhaps toronto 2024??But yes i was very impressed by the 2000 and 2008 Toronto Bids...

That is true I forgot about the fact that Vancouver is hosting the 2010 winter games. Still Toronto considered as a candidate for the 2016 or 2020 games. Toronto may be one of the best cities never to host an Olympics. Toronto would host the best games ever!

Cape Town or Buenos Aires for 2016

Cape Town I see bidding and winning in the next couple of games. But I don't think Buenos Aires isn't in financial shape to hold one. Am I wrong on this one? Toronto would be neat, but it might be harder to get, since the US is the only country to have had two games in such proximity (Atlanta '96 and SLC '02).

why not

New 15,000 seat stadium on the downtown waterfront.
Built above Port of Vancouver rail terrminal, it will be North America's most transit friendly stadium. No parking spaces, direct access from 3 rapid transit lines, a commuter rail line, sea bus ferry terminal, many buses and a heliport.

Waterfront Stadium (http://whitecapsnewstadium.com/home.cfm)


http://whitecapsnewstadium.com/data/upload/renderings_aerial_map.jpg

http://whitecapsnewstadium.com/data/upload/renderings_soccer.jpg

http://whitecapsnewstadium.com/data/upload/renderings_city.jpg

http://whitecapsnewstadium.com/data/upload/renderings_conert.jpg

http://whitecapsnewstadium.com/data/upload/renderings_birds_eye_map.jpg

I think thats pretty cool...great concept, and it saves space:)

i hope it gets built it would be a beautiful view and be easy to get to if i lived there i wouldnt mind getting season tickets in the east stands

I like it, downtown and user friendly, but might I ask, who are the Vancouver Whitecaps? I should ask, what soccer league do they play in exactly?

The stadium design with the low/absent end stands is popular is france, and rather suits this location with it's excellent views.

I'm sure Peter Beardsly (one of england's star footballers of the 80's and 90's) played for the whitecaps a couple of times. I didn't realise they were still in existance.

quite nice actually

i don't know Talisker ,where you got that idea

some clubs don't have end stands ,not because it's not popular but because the club can't afford new ones

But I'll agree France is not very good at building great new stadiums
I can only think of one ,SdF, in the last 20 or 30 years

back to Vancouver
great location and many VIP boxes ie nice profit on the way

By when will it be built?

^ It has not officaly been approved but city hall loves the consept and location, so it should be approved with in a six months to one year. Construction is set to start in 2007 so it should be open in late 2009, just in time for it not to be used as an Olympic venue.

i have to say that I love it, very close to downtown, and i think that great for atmosphere, could be better with more capacity ( maybe 30-35 k ) but i presume that there is no need for more than 15,000

I think a 15000-seater dedicated mainly for soccer in North America is pretty good. Comparing it with german clubs and their stadiums, it would be a nice 2nd league stadium.
And it is said on the stadium-website that the capacity can be easily increased in the future if needed.
What I especially like is the excellent connection to the public transport system.

Beautiful!

"no parking spaces"

Sorry, but is this something to be proud of?

It's very beautiful, but it doesn't sounds normal to me. It's a unlike stadium, it isn't?

"no parking spaces"

Sorry, but is this something to be proud of?

Yes, because it's transit friendly. Typical North American stadiums are plagued by ugly parking lots on the outside. (Think of Dodgers stadium in LA)

"no parking spaces"

Sorry, but is this something to be proud of?


Most cities in North America try and be very car freindly, Vancouver is pretty much the only exception.

Vancouver has no highways that lead downtown, taxes on every parking space in Lower Mainland (Greater Vancouver) and Canada's largest Transit authority which by 2010 will operate Canada's largest rapid transit system.

If you live in Vancouver proper it can be easier to get around by taking transit then a car.

Having no parking at a stadium in N/A is landmark. That said technicly there is no parking on site, but it is right next to the convention centre and walking distance from many pay garages.

Wow, nice stadium. Great setting there.
If there's a redevolpment for that 30k capacity, would they close the gaps behind the goals? Wouldn't be a nice thing in my opinion and I doubt that there's enough space.

Canadian cities in general do a better job of trying to negate parking than the US. Montreal has a downtown arena with very little parking, in Toronto skydome has no parking at all except one for buses, the Air Canada Centre has parking but it is slated for highrise development, not sure about Calgary, Edmonton, etc. Oh btw this looks like a great stadium and perfect for the location.

Look at Dodger Stadium in LA, this not uncommon for American stadiums.

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/nl/dodger781.jpg


Anyway getting way off topic here.

^ Man is that ugly and a waste of space.

I think the lack of parking is great. There's something like 35,000 parking spaces within a 10 minute walk of the stadium anyway so it's not people can't drive if they have to.

What I like is that it will have REAL grass and the grass can be removed to make way for other uses IE. Concerts, volleyball, tennis, motorcross, x-games, etc. Downtown Van really needs a venue like this. Congrats.

I also imagine that once Vancouver's powerful Urban Design Panel rips through this thing, the end result will be magnificient.

that dodger stadium makes me fucking sick, would it be so hard to put in some transport links, buses, rail service what ever, you shouldnt be allowed to build a stadium anywhere if you dont try and discourage the use of cars. how many spaces are there??? i bet theyre all filled with 3litre gas guzzlers aswell on a matchday!!
Im glad to see vancouver have got things sorted

"Discourage the use of cars" might be a bit exaggerated.

A decent parking garage solves at least the aesthetical part of the problem.
e.g. nobody cared about the huge parking garage nearby the Allianz Arena so far (maybe some didn't know, because it's rather well hidden ;)).

The point is that there's obviously (judging from that picture) no need to build a parking garage at the Dodger stadium due to it's location outside the city, and a new railway line might cost too much. If it was located somewhere downtown LA, I'm pretty sure there would have been other solutions due to the high price of the ground.

The stands should be more steep to give the audience better view, and closer to the action.

Went to a baseball match back in Sept. 2000 at Dodger's Stadium. Giants v. LA. Bonds cracked a 6 into the car park itself!(Or is that a homer?)

It was pretty good, lovely weather, well behaved spectators and easy to drive to because the place is a landmark and situated near a load of freeways and pretty central to LA itself which in not always the case in the city of angels. It is such a spread out city, you have to experience it to understand what I am on about.

The Rose Bowl on the other hand out in Pasadena. I seem to recall I couldn't fit my legs in between the next set of benches in front. Obviously this was an older generation stadium, built when people were somewhat shorter.

Well I still cannot figure out how to managed to find the place and even more so how I actually got back to Hollywood via public transport(various buses). Now I can see why NFL has left LA. It is like going to another town and more trouble than it is worth just to get to the local footy stadium in LA/Orange County.

Nice looking proposal! I always have liked when buildings bridge over things- in this case the rail-tracks-! Also, being right on the waterfront, will only benifit the stadium and its patrons...Will this also be used for the Lions?

p5

The point is that there's obviously (judging from that picture) no need to build a parking garage at the Dodger stadium due to it's location outside the city, and a new railway line might cost too much. If it was located somewhere downtown LA, I'm pretty sure there would have been other solutions due to the high price of the ground.

Wouldn't the Dodger's stadium be considered inner-city though? It's right across from Chinatown, and it's about an exit away from downtown Los Angeles on the freeway.

that dodger stadium makes me fucking sick, would it be so hard to put in some transport links, buses, rail service what ever, you shouldnt be allowed to build a stadium anywhere if you dont try and discourage the use of cars. how many spaces are there??? i bet theyre all filled with 3litre gas guzzlers aswell on a matchday!!
Im glad to see vancouver have got things sorted

The funny thing is that it is so incongruous with the history of the team. The LA Dodgers were formerly in Brooklyn. They got the name "dodgers" because it reffered to how people would dodge trolleys to get to and from the games. You won't have to worry about that at the stadium in LA.

What's going to happen to all the rail lines converging at Waterfront Station?

^Stadium's being build over them.

What's going to happen to all the rail lines converging at Waterfront Station?

The stadium, which has been named Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium, will be built about seven metres above a seven-hectare parcel of rail lands property east of the Waterfront Station SeaBus terminal. The stadium has the capacity to be expanded to about 30,000 seats with the addition of two upper decks.

***

from OfficeDweller @ SSP:

This City Report shows the footprint of the stadium - no rendering though:

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk...cuments/pe6.pdf

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/529/1632stadium.jpg

Note that the site still allows Cambie St. to extend out over the tracks - but any road between the CP Station and The Landing would be eliminated. Presumably, canada Place Way will be extended over Waterfront Road to Cambie St.

The Whitecaps organization is proposing to locate a new soccer stadium on a site over the CPR rail yard between Granville Square and the foot of Cambie Street. They propose a facility with 15,000 seats initially, expandable to 30,000 at a later date. The facility would be the site of Whitecaps Soccer games, as well as other sports events and concerts.

Because of the unusual and challenging nature of such a facility in this location, the City has determined that an initial, high level review of the proposal is needed to determine whether it has a reasonable chance of being successful in meeting City planning objectives for the area; and of having sufficient public support.

The Review will be undertaken partly by City staff and partly by an outside consultant team.

After the Initial Review is complete, staff will report to City Council who will decide whether to proceed further with the planning for the project. If so, the proposal would be folded into the anticipated Waterfront Lands/Hub Structure Plan Study, followed by an Official Development Plan process and/or Rezoning process, as normal for such a major project.

Other interesting stuff:

5.1 Development Scenarios

The Review needs to look at both phases of the stadium, and also needs to account for the fact that development in surrounding areas will continue.

Three scenarios will be reviewed:

A. a 15,000 seat stadium as at “opening day”. Given normal timelines on major projects, the earliest the stadium could open would be Fall 2009. This scenario will assume that RAV and VCEC are operating, other currently known downtown development projects are in place, and a reasonable amount of development has continued in Downtown peninsula under current zoning.

B. a 15,000 seat stadium with maximum future development. This will assume the above, plus Granville Square 3 tower, and Downtown capacity built out.

C. a 30,000 seat stadium with future development, with context as in B above.

The Central Waterfront Port Lands have development potential (Central Waterfront Port Lands Policy Statement 1994), but the range of development options is so wide that it is not practical to include development statistics for this site in the scenarios. However, the Review will assess whether or not the stadium development would pose significant problems for major development on the Central Waterfront Port Lands.

In addition, assumptions cannot be made about possible development over the CP rail yards east of the Stadium. The Review may inform judgement as to what may be possible there in the future.

5.3 Other Assumptions

A. The stadium proposal will be designed so as not to use the Waterfront Port road for access.

B. The capacity of the CP rail yard will not be diminished, although trackage may be realigned. While noting that the proponents will be responsible to coming to agreement with CP rail regarding realignment of rail tracks, the City is strongly concerned that the rail yard be able to handle the anticipated growth in goods movement through the Port of Vancouver, rather than seeing goods movement diverted to truck, which is much less environmentally sustainable.

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/vancouver/2003/vch2003_300.jpg

Nice stadium. As a Sunderland fan, I'm fully aware of the Vancouver Whitecaps... They beat us in pre-season friendly. But if their current stadium/pitch had a view like that I'm not suprised.

The stadium design with the low/absent end stands is popular is france, and rather suits this location with it's excellent views.

I'm sure Peter Beardsly (one of england's star footballers of the 80's and 90's) played for the whitecaps a couple of times. I didn't realise they were still in existance.

I had seasons tickets to the Whitecaps back when they were part of the now defunct NASL (North American Soccer League). Yes Talisker, Beardsly was there for a few seasons. Many top pros played for the NASL. The NASL got too big too fast and much of the fan base was not there and the tv contract was too small for them. The footballers also has big contracts. That was a fun league.

The Whitecaps are now part of a second league which is not top class. Still soccer or football is good as I've seen some of their games. When this stadium is built, I will definitely watch games.

Like it

Because of the unusual and challenging nature of such a facility in this location, the City has determined that an initial, high level review of the proposal is needed to determine whether it has a reasonable chance of being successful in meeting City planning objectives for the area; and of having sufficient public support.

The Review will be undertaken partly by City staff and partly by an outside consultant team.

After the Initial Review is complete, staff will report to City Council who will decide whether to proceed further with the planning for the project. If so, the proposal would be folded into the anticipated Waterfront Lands/Hub Structure Plan Study, followed by an Official Development Plan process and/or Rezoning process, as normal for such a major project.



Knowing very little about the development and city zoning processes I have to say that christ! That is a lot of red tape.

I wonder why Canada doesn't think about hosting a World Cup (soccer)? It would be nice in Canada...

I wonder about it too. They are a big, rich country with may good stadiums.

The host cities could be:
1: Toronto
2: Montreal
3: Vancouver
4: Calgary
5: Edmonton
6: Ottawa
7: Quebec
8: Winnipeg
9: Halifax
10: Saskatoon
11: Regina
12: Victoria / Sudbury / Thunder Bay

Toronto & Montreal have stadiums just excellent for WC matches.

Not enough large-sized "true" football stadiums.

There are currently three (maybe four) that would be large enough to be used:

Skydome - Toronto
Olympic Stadium - Montreal
Commonwealth stadium - Edmonton

and Maybe BC Place - Vancouver (it is indoor though)

Canada 2026: good idea.
Even if only Toronto and Montreal go Stadium now, I hope other cities could build new ones before 2026...
The final should take place in Ottawa to avoid new troubles between Toronto and Montreal or is it possible to play to oppening match in Montreal and the final in Toronto.

So, here is the list of the next WC:
- Germany 2006
- South Africa 2010
- Brazil 2014
- England 2018
- Australia 2022
- Canada 2026
- China 2030
The, go back to Europe (Spain, Russia, Turkey...or European Union with matchs in Paris, London, Berlin, Roma, Madrid, Lisbon, Warsaw, Bern, Amsterdam and the final in Bruxelles)

I guess 2014 will be in England, coz they are already ready and to take anything it is enough to want for them...

I don't give a chance to Australia & New Zealand, you may think opposite, this is just my thought.

Canada may do it in 2018. They can build everything from the zero like Korea & Japan (they built everything for WC+ Korea didn't even use Seoul Olympic Stadium but built a new soccer stadium)

I guess 2014 will be in England, coz they are already ready and to take anything it is enough to want for them...

Wrong: the confederation is allready chosen and this is COMEBOL.
Brazil is the one only bid.

ohhh, did FIFA change the statue?

How is the new statue now?

I guess 2014 will be in England, coz they are already ready and to take anything it is enough to want for them...

I don't give a chance to Australia & New Zealand, you may think opposite, this is just my thought.

Canada may do it in 2018. They can build everything from the zero like Korea & Japan (they built everything for WC+ Korea didn't even use Seoul Olympic Stadium but built a new soccer stadium)

The only way I can see England getting 2014 is if Brazil have a problem with the massive redevolpment of stadiums/infrastructure that would be needed to host the WC and even then I'd guess they would probabley just give them 2018 instead.

Next WC´s:

2010 South Africa
2014 Brazil
2018 England
2022 China
2026 USA / Canada
2030 Europe (Spain, Italy, Turkey)
2034 Australia
2038 Africa (Egypt)
2042 Europe
2046 North or South America

I wonder why Canada doesn't think about hosting a World Cup (soccer)? It would be nice in Canada...

Because no one in Canada would notice.

Yeah, Soccer just isn't a popular sport in Canada. Well, not with adults anyway. Kids play it at school sometimes. I never ever hear anything about it here. Well, except for in the context of foreign countries. Why would Canada be chosen as a host for an event that noone here even cares about? Does Canada even have a team?

I wonder why Canada doesn't think about hosting a World Cup (soccer)? It would be nice in Canada...

For a World Cup, you're ought to have ten 40.000+ stadiums.

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/alberta/edmonton_commonwealth1.jpg http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/alberta/edmonton_commonwealth2.jpg
Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton: 60.217

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/quebec/montreal_olympic1.jpg http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/quebec/montreal_olympic2.jpg
Olympic Stadium, Montréal: 65.255

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/british_columbia/vancouver_bc_place1.jpg http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/british_columbia/vancouver_bc_place2.jpg
BC Place Stadium, Vancouver: 59.841

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/toronto_skydome1.jpg http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/toronto_skydome2.jpg
Rogers Center, Toronto: 55.000

With some expansion:

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/saskatchewan/regina_taylor.jpg
Taylor Field, Regina: 27.332

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/quebec/montreal_molson.jpg
Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, Montréal: 20.002

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/alberta/calgary_mcmahon.jpg
McMahon Stadium, Calgary: 37.317

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/hamilton_ivor_wynne.jpg
Ivon Wynne Stadium, Hamilton: 29.183

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/ottawa_frank_clair1.jpg http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/ottawa_frank_clair2.jpg
Frank Clair Stadium, Ottawa: 28.826

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/manitoba/winnipeg_canad_inns.jpg
Canad Inns Stadium, Winnipeg: 29.503

Reached ten stadiums.

Skydome soccer match

http://anthonyprovenzano.com/images/5.%20Soccer%20Extravaganza/Game%20Pano%202.jpg

Kids play it at school sometimes.

Soccer is the number one participation sport in organized leagues in Canada. More children/teenagers are enrolled in soccer leagues than hockey, which is the biggest sport in Canada.


I never ever hear anything about it here.

You obviously are not paying attention then.


Does Canada even have a team?

Yes it has a national team. It competes in the CONCACAF region of FIFA and plays against nations like Mexico, USA, Jamaica, Costa Rica, etc.

First of all its Canada! I no that there are a lot of immigrants that love soccer but the culture here is hockey. Canadains live to play hockey. Second is that there are no real soccer stadiums right now. I know Canada could afford to build big beatiful stadiums and modernize some the football stadiums they have like in Edmonton but what will happen after the World Cup. Canada wont be able to keep the stadiums going. Maybe a few soccer games a year with less then half cap. or a few concerts still wouldn't pay the bills to upkeep a large stadium. The other thing is the distances the teams would have to travel to play. Traveling from even Toronto to Edmonton is more than travelling across Europe. So maybe not yet, I guess in about 20 years we could try.

Does Canada even have a team?

Canada played at World Cup in 1986 Mexico. But later U.S.A took its place... In the past there was Canada more than U.S.A However U.S made big steps...

sorry,but there's enough countries mad with football not to give it to canada .

I have no doubt it would be a great event but it's not gonna happen

Although I am all for hosting the world game in new footballing countries, there isn't the population justification for Canada that there was for the USA and Japan.

You obviously are not paying attention then.


I admit that I'm not especially interested in sports, but that's part of the reason I always notice when I forced to hear about it (that I find it annoying). I frequently notice things like sports being mentioned on both television and radio news, shows that I like being cancelled or posponed for big games, and sometimes the news being late because some stupid games has gone into overtime. But I don't recall any of those things happening with domestic (NA) soccer. It's always Hockey, Basketball, Football, Baseball, and occaisonally curling, golf, autoracing, or tennis. But never soccer. :dunno:

SkyDome is gorgeous!!!
http://anthonyprovenzano.com/images/5.%20Soccer%20Extravaganza/Game%20Pano%202.jpg

I think they have a lot of american football and baseball stadiums. They can fix for soccer matches.

^ You forgot Skydome in Toronto, it has already hosted a couple soccer events. Capacity for soccer is 55,000

(pic)

Fixed and added another plus some pics.

well, we don't have the money. the popularity of the sport is not established enough compared to Europe and Latin America.

There is also a few Canadian cities vying for the 2014 Commonwealth Games so that could be another fairly large stadium.

Hamilton's proposed stadium...capacity 42,000
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/Aallen396/CommonwealthStadium.jpg


Dont know the proposals for the other cities, hopefully won one of them wins the games though.

Toronto is also building a smaller soccer stadium
http://www.canadasoccer.com/images/media/stadium_ex.jpg

Canada can host this, but the current CFL stadiums are really old and out-dated except for Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Those 4 stadiums would just need small works if any. It would be beneficial to the CFL teams to host a WC because the likes of Calgary, Hamilton, Ottawa, Regina and Winnipeg could get some brand new stadiums and the government might help them for the costs. My cities and stadiums would be:

Ready
Edmonton Commonwealth stadium (opening match) 60,000
Montreal Olympic Stadium (final) 65,000
Toronto Skydome 55,000
Vancouver BC Place 55,000-60,000

Upgrade
Winnipeg Canad Inns Stadium (current capacity 29,503)
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/manitoba/winnipeg_canad_inns.shtml
(add stand on open end where training field lies. Capacity would become about 40,000)

Calgary McMahon Stadium (current capacity 37,317)
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/alberta/calgary_mcmahon.shtml
(has had extra seats at Grey cups to make capacity more than 50,000. I would close both ends of the stadium and refurbish the existing stands. That would lead to a capacity of at least 55,000 when adding plastic seats to this stadium)

Hamilton Ivor Wynne Stadium (current capacity 29,183)
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/hamilton_ivor_wynne.shtml
(same as Galgary but it would be nice if they replaced the two stands and made 2 nice big stands with cover and made the ends temporary. This would easily be 40,000)

Ottawa Frank Clair Stadium (current capacity 28,826)
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/ontario/ottawa_frank_clair.shtml
(same as Hamilton but a new stadium would be a much better idea as this city has enough size to support a 40,000-50,000 permanent capacity stadium.)

New Stadiums
Regina 40,000 (not enough room around Taylor Field to expand plus it is an old stadium)

Quebec City 40,000-45,000 (This city wants a CFL team and a WC can put a stadium into place to make it a reality. I would make a stadium with temp seats on the ends to make a 20,000-30,000 seat stadium after the WC)

Halifax 40,000 (Same as Quebec City)

There are 11 stadiums here. A 12th stadium would most likely be a 2nd stadium in Montreal that the Allouettes could use when completed. Toronto already has Hamilton a 40 minute drive away from it so it wouldn't be necessary in Toronto.

Canadians may be growing into it, I just think there are countries that are feverish about it.

All of the stadiums that were mentioned (except for Skydome) would need major renovation/modernization and a higher cap. I dont even think some of those stadiums could pass to host a World Cup match.

To answer the question, Canada could host the World Cup. And very well.

However, do the people of Canada actually want the World Cup? From my limited knowledge, Canada reminds me a lot of Australia. It has other football codes/sports that its populace enjoys more than soccer. It loses top talent to other nations, such as Owen Hargreaves and its national league is struggling to attract interest.

The Canadian NT that I saw 10 years ago was the equal of Oz but from their more recent results they look to have slipped. If you cannot qualify in the North American zone you have problems. It is a very weak Confederation. The USA and Mexico are not world beaters.

They need to start getting results on the pitch, qualify for the World Cup and do some damage. A start would be to get regular invites to the Copa America to get your NT skill level up. CONMEBOL would probably accept Canada, as they were talking about having Oz over last year and we are on the other side of the Pacific.

The other thing they need to do is to create a vibrant national league with strong skill levels and good attendances to prove people love soccer.

Where there is a will there is a way.

Although I am all for hosting the world game in new footballing countries, there isn't the population justification for Canada that there was for the USA and Japan.
Lol... Yes it can. You don't think that a World Cup game would not be filled? Give me a break.

Soccer is pretty big in Canada (in BC atleast). Vancouver is building a new 30 (expandable to 35) seater right on the waterfront for Van's team; the Whitecaps.

People were saying the same thing about the US in 94 and they set attendance records. I don't think that any Canadian stadium is unlike the stadiums that South Africa has. The key would be the refurbishments done. There is a future use of these stadiums for the CFL teams as they all average between 20,000-30,000 for their games. This would also give the MLS reason to go to other Canadian cities as I think Montreal and Vancouver are much better options than most american cities. Canada is a very multicultural country and every game would sell out. I would go anywhere in Canada to watch Greece play if they were in the WC and that is the same case with many Canadians of European heritage or any heritage for that matter. The WC will have to come to North America again, does everyone really want it in Mexico for the 3rd time? I know I don't.

Canada can easily host a soccer world cup and in most parts of the country there are enough people interested in the sport to fill the seats. Sure in some parts of the country with smaller immigrant populations soccer may not be that big but in most parts soccer is quite huge. The only problem i see is i dont think the government is willing to spend the money to host the world cup. With the winter olympics in 2010 and Toronto wanting an olympics of its own Canada's goals are somewhere else currently when it comes to sports.

I really don't see how Canada could support the world cup. There's little support or interest here for professional soccer, and the stadiums aren't up to snuff. As for enlarging existing stadiums in smaller cities, it would never fly because they'd go to waste afterwards. Canadian professional sport is on a much smaller scale.

The optimism here is great and flattering, but it's a bit mislead. I mean, did I catch someone here mentioning Sudbury? My God, that's pure fantasy! :)

No way could Canada get the World Cup. At the moment only one stadium is good enough (Skydome) and even that's debatable. Most one the ones listed on the thread are not even close to being good enough. Canada would need to build 9 new stadiums.

Shame really, as i'm emigrating to Toronto very soon. Thankfully there is a massive Rangers supporters club there.

http://media.putfile.com/final-minute

Don't make me laugh, Canada made a balls-up of the Montreal Olympics in 76.

It seems to me that much Public investment would be needed to host a tournament of this size. Not dissing the country as I know that it has some of the greatest wealth in the world. However, I believe the government has always been relatively non-compliant on such projects.

Plus Canada has a very small population (22M or something like that) I don't honestly think it has the manpower or the resources to host the single biggest sports event in the world single-handedly- yes, way bigger than the olympics even. Hordes of european hooligans, media focus, security, accomodation of teams, media and tens of thousands of fans, Police presence, upgrading of public infrastructure in at least 6 to 7 cities, besides building new stadiums and upgrading current ones (your present grounds are not upto FIFA standards or inadequate for FOOTBALL).

Your government would shirk from taking on the commitment, or fear that project costs would over-run. Though I do believe that Canada could co-host the tournament with the United States, this is a possibility.

Lol... Yes it can. You don't think that a World Cup game would not be filled? Give me a break.

Thats not the point when FIFA is trying to encourage new markets for football America was a good choice with 270 million people at the time, Japan and South Korea were fine choices as well with 180 million between them. Canada with just 30 million (and by 2022 its likely not to include Quebec's Population) is just not big enough to justify it.

Where's Quebec going? Are those froggies at it again?

It's all about passion and commitment when hosting a tournament of this size. It's also about progressing for the good of the game- an ideal, and it is this that FIFA are looking for. I also don't think the Aussies have got what it takes either. At least not for another fifty years.

Leave FOOTBALL for the traditional continents- europe and latin america, or the emerging/serious countries- South Africa and possibly China.

Stick to Ice Hockey, its what your best at and also what your population only really cares about, apart from maybe NFL or NBA

Canada 2026: good idea.
Even if only Toronto and Montreal go Stadium now, I hope other cities could build new ones before 2026...
The final should take place in Ottawa to avoid new troubles between Toronto and Montreal or is it possible to play to oppening match in Montreal and the final in Toronto.

So, here is the list of the next WC:
- Germany 2006
- South Africa 2010
- Brazil 2014
- England 2018
- Australia 2022
- Canada 2026
- China 2030
The, go back to Europe (Spain, Russia, Turkey...or European Union with matchs in Paris, London, Berlin, Roma, Madrid, Lisbon, Warsaw, Bern, Amsterdam and the final in Bruxelles)
They wouldn't let it go to England, Australia, and Canada, all 3 in a row. They wouldn't give it to that many Commonwelath nations in a row. Besides, how did you arrive at this list. Only the first two are for sure. and Brazil is very likely. England is in the lead, but that's not even close to a sure thing. And the rest seem to be just made up.

Going back to the original topic, I don't think Canada will ever host it. They only have 30 million people who aren't very interested in the sport at all. Outside of Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, none of the cities are really big enough to host something like that. There interest is about that of the US's but they have about 1/10 the population.

...or European Union with matchs in Paris, London, Berlin, Roma, Madrid, Lisbon, Warsaw, Bern, Amsterdam and the final in Bruxelles)

That would be nice.

No it wouldn't - it would completely dilute the World Cup and the experience would be greatly diminished.

They wouldn't let it go to England, Australia, and Canada, all 3 in a row. They wouldn't give it to that many Commonwelath nations in a row. Besides, how did you arrive at this list.

It's easy to understand: there are 6 confederation and FIFA decided in 2004 to give the host to each one. Europe could get WC every 12 years because it's the confederation with to most countries and other could get it every 24 years.

If you consider the past, the order is:
- 1994: North America
- 1998: Europe
- 2002: Asia
- 2006: Europe
- 2010: Africa
- 2014: South America
- 2018: Europe
- 2022: Oceania
- 2026: North america
- 2030: Europe
- 2034: Asia
- .....

All right, I made a mistake about China 2030 instead of 2034.
But in 2030, Uruguay may get it to celebrate the century.

^^^^^^

FIFA is stopping the unofficial rotation system for staging World Cup's after South America in 2014. It was put in just to placate Africa after they got stiched up by New Zealand's Charlie "SOB" Dempsey for the 2006 Cup.

Also Oceania could never host a World Cup. The closest nation to be able to host it would be NZ and they only have a 3.5 million population and pathetic stadia, few hotels as well as poor infrastructure. Think holding the World Cup in Lithuania to get a pretty good idea of how impossible it would be.

As for giving to it Commonwealth countries(British Empire nations) 3 times in a row, unlikely but possible. The old British Empire covers 1.8 billion people worldwide. CHOGM has a fair bit of political clout.

It all boils down to the fact that the FA should never, ever have allowed the French to run off and hijack football with their "FIFA". That was one of histories greatest blunders.

A great World Cup line up:
2010 South Africa
2014 Brazil/Argentina (British Army had a crack but failed in 1800's(unfortunately for those places as it so turns out))
2018 England
2022 Australia
2026 Canada

FIFA would be so lucky to have that as a line up for their World Cup.

# As it stands today I would be completely against ever giving it to China or any other totalitarian, despotic state. Football needs to be the light and regimes like China need to be told in no uncertain terms that it needs to mend its ways before ever getting near hosting the World Cup.

# As it stands today I would be completely against ever giving it to China or any other totalitarian, despotic state.

1- China can become a democratic country before 2030.
2- It would not be the first time: Argentina 78 was ruled by a dictator calle Videla. When FIFA decided to attribute WC 1982 to Spain, Franco was still here.

Uruguay 2030 would be great, but i don't think that Uruguay can afford to host WC :( Maybe Uruguay-Argentina.

Uruguay 2030 would be great, but i don't think that Uruguay can afford to host WC :( Maybe Uruguay-Argentina.

Argentina could host it alone easily.

It's easy to understand: there are 6 confederation and FIFA decided in 2004 to give the host to each one. Europe could get WC every 12 years because it's the confederation with to most countries and other could get it every 24 years.

If you consider the past, the order is:
- 1994: North America
- 1998: Europe
- 2002: Asia
- 2006: Europe
- 2010: Africa
- 2014: South America
- 2018: Europe
- 2022: Oceania
- 2026: North america
- 2030: Europe
- 2034: Asia
- .....

All right, I made a mistake about China 2030 instead of 2034.
But in 2030, Uruguay may get it to celebrate the century.
I'm well aware of this, but I still don't think they'd give it to three mainly anglo-saxon countries in a row.

Argentina could host it alone easily.
But that defeats the purpose of letting Uruguay celebrate the centennial.

Canada should try hosting the Gold Cup first....

Because no one in Canada would notice.

Thats not true. When a team comes from overseas to play at skydome... errrr rogers centre, the stadium is packed with fans. There would be no problem filling up the stadiums.

They wouldn't let it go to England, Australia, and Canada, all 3 in a row. They wouldn't give it to that many Commonwelath nations in a row.

Canada will no longer be part of the Commonwealth by then. Queen E II is the end of the line.

Canada can easily host the World Cup. I for one am a big soccer fan. You can see the pubs and cafes filled on the weekends watching league play from accross the pond, in Toronto at leat.

Majority of the tickets will be sold to foreigners anyways.

Canada is hosting the next under21 World Cup in 2008.

There were also rumours that FIFA was in Canada examining the existing facilities.

I'd like to see it happen, but Canada doesn't deserve to host the World Cup, yet. I believe it first needs to prove much bigger support for the professional game. There is already tons of participation at the youth level, but after that there is a wasteland. Even the soccer specific stadiums being proposed now are not even close to the capacity required for such an event. It could happen down the road, but we're simply very far from it.

^^^^^

Canada's leaving the Empire too are they? Who will be left to turn out the lights, Zimbabwe?

They are sounding more and more similar to Oz. Hopefully they get the World Cup. It would be much better staging it there than South America(or England)!

There just isn't any international incentives. Countries which aren't traditional football playing nations like the USA and Japan/South Korea have massive populations/economies and are nations worth investing the World Cup in, as well as the fact that they have many great stadia, which Canada would lack for Football. Canada with a population of 30 million (soon to be without that of Quebec's) just isn't worth it economically.

Eomer had an interesting world cup rotation system, yet I am somehow not completely in agreement.

I agree Europe will host the tournament the most frequent times (it is afterall, not only the biggest confederation, but also the most powerful and influential) and also believe they will get this in a tri-rotational schedule. What I don't agree is that they will simply give it to the other continents in turn.

Many of you are convinced Australia will host this in 2022, but there are only 3 or 4 countries in Oceana. One of 18 million people, the rest less than 5 million. I don't think FIFA will let Australia host the world cup so easily, nor USA in the case of CONCACAF, not so soon after 94, unless they co-hosted with either Mexico or Canada to give their candidature extra potency.

FIFA will welcome candidature from at least 3 or 4 credible host nation, for each tournament, for competition and not allowing any complacency. I believe while Europe secures every 3rd host, its possible to see whole continents compete for the other hosting rotations after 2014

i.e. Africa 2010, S America 2014, Europe 2018
then
2022 Asia or Oceana
2026 CONCACAF or S America
2030 Europe
2034 Africa or Oceana
2038 Asia or CONCACAF
and so on

Sep Blatter may have this dream, but he is disliked in circles at FIFA, if the president changes, maybe the rotational system can change again completely.

Hey guys, i'm wondering if anyone can help me on a project i'm doing on the up and coming Winter Olympic games in Vancouver. I need to make an argument that the Olympics are good thing for a city(Vancouver in particular, if possible), and how it benifets a city and it's economy. If anyone has any information or websites they can give me to help me in this project, in would be greatly appreciated.

ask here

www.gamesbids.com

here's some more saddledome pics. Love these!

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040530/capt.sge.utr85.300504064030.photo00.default-384x252.jpg

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/alberta/calgary_saddledome2.jpg

http://learningdiary.blogspot.com/c_of_red.jpg

o really? We are talking about basketball/hockey venues, right? Or should Soldier Field, Lambeau, Paul Brown, Reliant, etc be thrown in the mix. If so, that's another discussion that already has a huge thread. I think the conclusion was, Europe and Asia focus on modern exterior design, with more ordinary bowls for most. North American have much more posh interiors with tons more luxury suites and boxes. NA's also tend to have more traditional exteriors, often using brick and limestone combinations. The bowls reflect the sport more than anything. Hard to say one is better than the other because the needs of the sports are different. Example, the Greek Olympic Stadium, or Allainz in Germany are much more modernly designed on the exterior than most you see in the US, but neither have the interior bowl and amenties that a Reliant or Soldier Field, nor do the have the mix of modern, yet old timey exterior like Miller Park or countless modern baseball parks in the majors. Just two different worlds.

BUT, we are talking basketball/hockey. If so, the NBA/NHL arena are the best.



First of all, I like Canada and dislike Amurka because of their tourists (get it?) but I don't think Europe beats North America to arenas because we don't live for hockey and basketball, we live for football and stuff. But hey, we can still compare, can't we?

Khimik Stadion - Kemerovo - 33 000 seats (pic (http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/russia/kemerovo_khimik.jpg))
SCC Petersburgsky - St. Petersburg - 25 000 seats
Sinan Erdem Dome - Istanbul - 22 500 seats
Ethias Arena - Hasselt - 21 600 seats
Sportpaleis - Antwerpen - 21 000 seats
The London Dome - London - 20 000 seats
Beograd Arena - Beograd - 20 000 seats
Bern Arena - Bern - 19.000 seats
Kölnarena - Köln / Cologne - 19 000 seats
Bizkaia Arena - Barakaldo - 19 000 seats
Olympic Sports Hall - Athens - 19 000 seats
Arena am Ostbahnhof - Berlin - 18 000 seats
Palicio de los Deportes - Madrid - 18 000 seats
Sazka Arena - Prague - 17 400 seats
MEN Arena - Manchester - 17 000 seats
Palau Sant Jordi - Barcelona - 17 000 seats
Allmend Stadion - Bern - 16 800 seats
Palalottomatica - Rome - 16 400 seats
Helliniko Indoor Hall - Athens - 15 000 seats
Vikingskipet - Hamar - 15 000 seats
Moscow Arena - Moscow - 15 000 seats
Peace & Friendship Stadium - Pireas - 15 000 seats
H.C. Andersen Arena - Kopenhagen - 15 000 seats
Amsterdam Dome - Amsterdam - 15 000 seats
Palicio de Vistalegre - Madrid - 15 000 seats
T-Mobil Arena - Prague - 15 000 seats
Ahoy - Rotterdam - 15 000 seats
Kisstadion - Budapest - 15 000 seats
SAP Arena - Mannheim - 15 000 seats
Hala Sportowa - Gdansk - 15 000 seats

Just a list of 15 000+ European arena's. Better then I thought actually, seems Europe can kinda keep up with North-America. But again, were not into arena sports. We prefer football.

I think the Pepsi Center is the best.
But in the moment I have no pictures.
Maybe some of you have some pictures of Pepsi Center.

Saddledome was built in 1983.

I really like the Saddledome and Olympic Stadium in Montreal. I agree that Canada has some of the more distinctive stadia/arenas around.

oooooooh caaaa-nada, my home and native laaaaaaaaaand!

Actually I've got a question, I understand North American stadia are among the most luxurious in the world, but where do they get the money?

I know much is levied from the mayors office and therefore the taxpayer (wouldn't you be p*ssed off if you were struggling taxpayer?) and the TV networks- in spite of general interest only being in america, unlike what the rest of the world generally regards as football- such as the world cup and the champions league which has much higher global viewing figures.

Also, how much is an average NFL/NBA/NHL game ticket anyway? Ticket for English premiership games can cost as much as $100, regular seating.

Apart from Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea, few premiership clubs can only marvel at having a wonderful stadium- even Liverpool FC, perhaps the 2nd or 3rd largest club with a global fanbase is struggling to find finance for their new stadium valued at £120m.

Where do they get the money? Its the United States and Canada. I understand that this board often makes the U.S. look like Bush and his declining economy, but let's keep things in perspective. Declining economy in the U.S. means that its economy is only growing in the single digits. I would take the 30,000,000 U.S. viewers that watch each NFL game over those 100,000,000 globally that might watch a EPL match. I would take the 10,000,000 that watch NASCAR each week vs the 70,000,000 that watch Formula 1 every other week. Why? North Americans spend a lot of money, and are very brand loyal. Are we as flag waving and organized in our chants? No. But we have incredible attendance for the majority of our leagues, and people buy, buy buy. TV deals are in the hundreds of billions for the NFL. Advertisers love these fans. If Budweiser is a sponsor for their favorite driver or their favorite player is featured on their ads, people here will buy only those products. I know plenty of Home Depot only Tony Stewart fans, or life long Air Jordan buyers. The sports market here(North America) is simply more lucrative than anywhere else. That's where the money comes from. Do you realize that the current NFL labor dispute is about 4% of revenues. Each % is about $40 billion last I heard. I think I am low on that estimate though.

You see deals with cities for venues because owners know they can do them. Cities are paying for exposure, improved infrastructure, and newly created tax revenues. Some cities make out like gangbusters because they negotiate and get what they want, that will perform best in their city. Cities that make horrible deals have themselves to blame or are simply trying to gain too much fame without a proper plan(Arlington).

Also in the question of how can North Americans "afford" such stadiums it is not very complicated. MANY of the stadiums serve to both backetball and hockey which means they serve to over 80 home games a year. Then most of the stadiums bring in large concert acts in the winter time (and sometimes spring, fall, and winter). Then they also are the venues that often host things like the circus, small conventions, and other indoor events (especially in the winter months). Some also host college or minor league basketball/hockey tourney's and games as well.

When you consider that the top seats at baskeball and hockey games are 100-200 dollars or more and skyboxes cost tens of thousands for a season there is a lot of revenue to be made. I am guessing the average ticket price is somewhere around 30 dollars at most venues in North American for a pro game. Then you also get insane ticket prices for concerts as well which a portion goes to the house.

So many of these stdiums are used for well over 100 dates a year (Madison Square Garden New York, United Center Chicago, Staples Center in LA even more).

Even though these stadium are enclosed most are much less expensive to build then the top tier American football or even baseball stadiums and get almost if not more use then either. So even if a city does help pitch in for some or even all of the stadium its likely the best investmant in terms of stadiums because they are used by the public so often year round.

What I can't understand is why would they build such big arenas in the UK (I can understand some other parts of Europe where hockey or basketball is at least somewhat popular) when the UK has such minimal intreast in arena sports.

Let me throw this one out there. The Gaylord Entertainment Center. Awesome place if you have ever been. My wife and I are season ticket holders of the Predators, so we are there often. Here is a shot I took of it earlier this year......
http://misheli.image.pbase.com/o4/04/645104/1/56882633.predsgame1a.jpg

Outside...a tribute (the tower) to the music and radio/television industry here in Nashville.
http://k43.pbase.com/o4/04/645104/1/56936265.gecpan1border.jpg

Ok. I am going to be spat upon, but in my humble opinion the Saddledome is hideous.
How can a building try to mimick a saddle? Uggggghhhh

"The Gaylord Entertainment Center" :rofl:

The national gay, lesbian, and bisexual convention is held there........ :)

The national gay, lesbian, and bisexual convention is held there........ :)

Well that was the most mature statement in the thread. Why not educate yourself, BOYS, rather than act like n00b's and three year olds..

Anyways, the name comes from the Gaylord Corporation. They are owner/operators of many large hotels and convention centers in the US and abroad and they also own the Grand 'Ol Opry here in Nashville. The name is going to change as Gaylord has taken its sponsorship off the arena effective at the end of the current hockey season. The Nashville Predators are actively seeking a replacement for it. Nissan is one of the company's being persued due to their corporate HQ being here in Nashville.

SEF stadium in Greece

http://www.stadia.gr/sef/sefnew9.jpg
This otherwise nice arena has to be on of the worlds worst thats used for basketball.

The seats are way too far from the action . . . do they hand out binoculars with every ticket? :dunno:

Well that was the most mature statement in the thread. Why not educate yourself, BOYS, rather than act like n00b's and three year olds..

Anyways, the name comes from the Gaylord Corporation. They are owner/operators of many large hotels and convention centers in the US and abroad and they also own the Grand 'Ol Opry here in Nashville. The name is going to change as Gaylord has taken its sponsorship off the arena effective at the end of the current hockey season. The Nashville Predators are actively seeking a replacement for it. Nissan is one of the company's being persued due to their corporate HQ being here in Nashville.


I KNOW THAT!!!!! What part of kidding around do you not get?????

TV deals are in the hundreds of billions for the NFL.

Actually it's $18Bn over 8 yrs. A colossal amount and provides approximately 60% of NFL revenues.

The way US sports are organised means that there are only a handful of teams per population. So we see the entire state of Texas, 20M with just 2 NFL teams whereas in comparison, a typical European city of say 1/2M will often have two teams. The huge catchment area is why US teams are pretty much all large and can afford to force the taxpayer to build or at least contribute to their stadiums.

Personally I'm a free-marketeer and prefer the more competitive model where there are no such restrictions on teams.

I KNOW THAT!!!!! What part of kidding around do you not get?????

I have never claimed to be able to read ones mind. If it was a joke, I saw no emoticon or words that denote the fact. Sorry if it ruffled your feathers, but at least put a emphasis on the fact it is a joke. Rather than just lay a statement out and end it at that.

Sorry, I should have made it more clear that I was kidding.......... :)

Also, how much is an average NFL/NBA/NHL game ticket anyway? Ticket for English premiership games can cost as much as $100, regular seating.


The top NHL seats here in Toronto go for over $400 CDN. However, Toronto has a very wealthy corporate base that snatches up the tickets and gives them out to all the big wigs. The typical attire for the better seats is a suit and tie, so it's a big deal.

Actually it's $18Bn over 8 yrs. A colossal amount and provides approximately 60% of NFL revenues.

The way US sports are organised means that there are only a handful of teams per population. So we see the entire state of Texas, 20M with just 2 NFL teams whereas in comparison, a typical European city of say 1/2M will often have two teams. The huge catchment area is why US teams are pretty much all large and can afford to force the taxpayer to build or at least contribute to their stadiums.

Personally I'm a free-marketeer and prefer the more competitive model where there are no such restrictions on teams.

Are you sure its only 18 billion over 8 years? It doesnt seem much. Isnt this on par with the english premiership when adjusting for populations.
And that for a game where constant interuptions for commercials are are accepted.

Perhaps these 18 billions are just part of the rights.

Actually it's $18Bn over 8 yrs. A colossal amount and provides approximately 60% of NFL revenues.

The way US sports are organised means that there are only a handful of teams per population. So we see the entire state of Texas, 20M with just 2 NFL teams whereas in comparison, a typical European city of say 1/2M will often have two teams. The huge catchment area is why US teams are pretty much all large and can afford to force the taxpayer to build or at least contribute to their stadiums.

Personally I'm a free-marketeer and prefer the more competitive model where there are no such restrictions on teams.


I think you're thinking of this in the wrong way. Its very hard to compare European sports to US sports. There is no Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, SMU Mustangs, TCU Horned Frogs, Houston Cougars, UTEP Miners or Texas A&M Aggies in England. In addition there are the Austin Wranglers and Dallas Desperadoes. All just football. Have to look at the popularity of basketball, D-League basketball(also professional), MLB and minor league baseball.

As far as numbers of total franchises go, it probably isn't that much different. The organization and spread amongst popular sports is totally different.

Just thought I'd throw in another arena/stadium... Sask Place, Saskatoon (Renamed Credit Union Center :bash: )

Rather small, but it's ok. Seats around 11,000

http://www.creditunioncentre.com/images/exterior.jpg

http://www.foundlocally.com/Saskatoon/Images/SaskatchewanPlace1.jpg

http://www.inland-av.com/images/SaskPlaceClock.jpg

Could hardly find any pics from the inside. Sorry.

John Labatt Centre
London, Ontario
Capacity: 9,100 for hockey, 12,000 for concerts

Dundas/Talbot corner. Built to resemble the old Talbot Inn.
http://www.londonontariorox.com/photogallery/JohnLabattCentre.jpg

Exterior, street level
http://www.fims.uwo.ca/olr/apr0704/JLCPic1.jpg

Collage of pics: Concourse, South Side Exterior, Lounge, Concert/Seating Setup
http://www.cityofkingston.ca/img/lvec/tours/JLC_London_Collage.jpg

Another concourse pic
http://www.london.ca/Mapphoto/PhotoGallery/images/attractions/JLC_concourse.jpg

Private Suite
http://www.londonesc.com/images/premiumgallery/gallery_04.jpg

Hockey Setup - Memorial Cup Final
http://www.londonknights.com/images/photogallery/2005_05_29_MemCupFinals21.jpg

Grand Opening - Panorama
http://www.otimultimedia.com/images/jlc3.jpg

Grand Opening - Panorama
http://www.otimultimedia.com/images/jlc1.jpg

I think you're thinking of this in the wrong way. Its very hard to compare European sports to US sports. There is no Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, SMU Mustangs, TCU Horned Frogs, Houston Cougars, UTEP Miners or Texas A&M Aggies in England. In addition there are the Austin Wranglers and Dallas Desperadoes. All just football. Have to look at the popularity of basketball, D-League basketball(also professional), MLB and minor league baseball.

As far as numbers of total franchises go, it probably isn't that much different. The organization and spread amongst popular sports is totally different.



not sure what point you are making.In England,there are 92 pro football clubs,and if u include the semi pro/amateaur,it runs into the hundreds.All this amonst a population of just 50 million.If we throw into the equation all the rubgy league and rubgy union teams,the county cricket sides,plus our own basketball and hockey teams(ok,the last two don't get big crowds)we ain't doing too bad
In London alone there are 13 professional Football teams,plus half a dozen rugby teams,two cricket teams

not sure what point you are making.In England,there are 92 pro football clubs,and if u include the semi pro/amateaur,it runs into the hundreds.All this amonst a population of just 50 million.If we throw into the equation all the rubgy league and rubgy union teams,the county cricket sides,plus our own basketball and hockey teams(ok,the last two don't get big crowds)we ain't doing too bad
In London alone there are 13 professional Football teams,plus half a dozen rugby teams,two cricket teams

But he is right that lots of europeans think there is no sports in the US beyond the narrow pro set-up.
Its a pointless discussion anyway. I think there is little doubt that the US and the UK are the 2 countries where most money goes into sports per population but its organised so very differently.

Brits seem to think that unless teams are pro they cant be any good and thats wrong. Its an odd belief as the US actually inherited all this amateur school sports from Britain, but developed it where Britain left it behind in the early days of sport. Go back to say 1850 and british sport was all about schools and universities. Some fixtures remain in big venues as an anachronism such as Eton v Harrow or Oxford v Cambridge, but these ancient fixtures was once the main thing.

no offence but this thread is sort of disorganized, its hard to keep track of all the arenas and then ppl are mentioning stadiums??

hehe gaylord!!

Meh i would love it here, I would go insane!!! I love that pic of the...screw it i'm calling it SkyDome...SkyDome during that soccer match!

I think we're hosting the jr. world cup next year.

Thank god it will never happen

It would be crap. The problem is, FIFA are so stupid that they would go for it anyway. They would probably bring in that daft organ thing they have at Baseball matches. The commercialism is bad enough already without it being hosted in North America.

^^^^^

Canada's leaving the Empire too are they? Who will be left to turn out the lights, Zimbabwe?

They are sounding more and more similar to Oz. Hopefully they get the World Cup. It would be much better staging it there than South America(or England)!

Why would it be better having a World Cup in Canada than England?!

We're a sporting nation and football's our national/most popular by far sport. We're good at it. We have the best league in the world (arguable, i know), with several top stadia which could easily support a World Cup. We created the sport! The World Cup's not been here for far too long.

I love Canada, amazing country. But they don't deserve a World Cup yet.

It would be possible I spose when you look at it....

Toronto - New National stadium and the Rogers Center - 80,000 + 50,000
Montreal - Olympic Stadium and a smaller new football stadium. 65,000 + 40,000
Edmonton - Renovated commonwealth stadium - 60,000
Vancouver - BC place or a replacement of similar size - 60,000
Calgary - New stadium used by the gridiron team afterwards - 40,000
Winnipeg - New stadium used by the gridiron team afterwards - 40,000
Ottawa - New stadium used by the gridiron team afterwards - 40,000
Hamilton - New stadium used by the gridiron team afterwards - 40,000

Thats ten stadiums(all the french used in 98) with enough capacity for the final and the semi's. However given Canada's population and standing in the football world I'd guess a joint bid with the US would be much more likely, I'm sure FIFA would love for the americans to host it again ASAP and a joint hosting with Canada could give them the excuse of doing so.

I love Canada, my fave country, and I would deffinitely go back there to see a WC, and I could visit some of my relatives while I'm doing it. They have the cities, the stadiums and the resources to pull off a great tournament, if they had the enthusiasm and desire to do so...but I'm not sure they do..... I think maybe if Canada progressed through to the WC finals more and got through to the latter stages, there would be more interest in the sport and the tournament as a whole.

I'd like to see England 2018 and Canada 2022! That would be my ideal choice, but I think China or Australia will get it before Canada :(

I think Canada would do a great job!!! :cheer: :righton: :horse:

European Union with matchs in Paris, London, Berlin, Roma, Madrid, Lisbon, Warsaw, Bern, Amsterdam and the final in Bruxelles)
:eek: the day EU hosts a world cup leaving the Scandinavian cities behind we definately leave the union. Bern? Brussels? NO! Stockholm and Copenhagen yes :yes:

I think Canada would do a great job!!! :cheer: :righton: :horse:

me too :yes:

You'd have to host it in either the Toronto/Montreal areas or the other end of the country in Vancouver. Toronto/Montreal barely have enough stadiums.

BTW, has the World Cup been held in the U.S. in the last 30 years? Just curious. I remember the Women's World Cup in L.A. but can't remember the U.S. men hosting. BTW, I remember the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Many of the soccer matches were held at Legion Field in Birmingham, AL and Athens, GA near Atlanta. Legion Field drew 84,000 for USA vs. Argentina and man what an atmosphere. Athens, GA, home of the American football college team, the Georgia Bulldogs, offered their stadium for use (capacity 86,000). The only problem in the U.S. is that with the World Cup being held from June thru early July is the weather. Much of the Eastern U.S is ridiculously uncomfortable during those times of the year.

Don't make me laugh, Canada made a balls-up of the Montreal Olympics in 76.

It seems to me that much Public investment would be needed to host a tournament of this size. Not dissing the country as I know that it has some of the greatest wealth in the world. However, I believe the government has always been relatively non-compliant on such projects.

Plus Canada has a very small population (22M or something like that) I don't honestly think it has the manpower or the resources to host the single biggest sports event in the world single-handedly- yes, way bigger than the olympics even. Hordes of european hooligans, media focus, security, accomodation of teams, media and tens of thousands of fans, Police presence, upgrading of public infrastructure in at least 6 to 7 cities, besides building new stadiums and upgrading current ones (your present grounds are not upto FIFA standards or inadequate for FOOTBALL).

Your government would shirk from taking on the commitment, or fear that project costs would over-run. Though I do believe that Canada could co-host the tournament with the United States, this is a possibility.

You need to update your info from the 70's... Calgary was the last Canadian city to host the Olympics in 88' (which was a success), and our population is 32 million, not 22.

The main logistical problem to hosting the world cup in Canada is it's size. Canada spans 6 different time zones. Venues are thousands of kilometres apart. The World Cup is best left to small countries.

The main reason why Canada won't host it though is a lack of interest.. other than for kids, soccer as a played sport is relatively non-existant here. I'm sure even curling is more popular.

1) we are the second biggest land mass on earth... it wont be as easy to get people/players from a game in Toronto to a game in Vancouver as it was with players in smaller european countries where most cities are accessable by high speed trains. Vancouver is something like 5000 KM away from here......so theres a huge transportation problem unless there are discounted airline tickets.

2) soccer isnt really as worshipped in canada as it is in europe/south america...however by 2020 i think soccer will be recgonized and appreciated in canada. immigration is also a factor because we bring in a lot of people from other countries and they too bring their love for soccer to canada and by the 2020's there will definately be a market for soccer in canada.

.......theres a possibility but maybe later on in the future

Canada.. and infact USA co-hosting it would be really good a really good catalyst for development imo.. but like you guys need to be more interested in Soccer and need better coaches so your fans rally behind you instead of a majority not being interested.

Co-hosting it wouldn't work, cause Canada's already big maybe too big for the job and having one game in Vancouver and another in Houston would be worse, plus I hear FIFA doesn't even like co-hosted tournaments and the USA can already do it by themselves.

And maybe so could we!!!! :banana2: :pepper: :carrot: :cucumber:

I'm wondering if there would be a lot of resentment in countries where football has been established for many generations if it were held either in Canada, or the USA. Next year we are hosting the junior FIFA cup and I think that is a fine way to start.

1) we are the second biggest land mass on earth... it wont be as easy to get people/players from a game in Toronto to a game in Vancouver as it was with players in smaller european countries where most cities are accessable by high speed trains. Vancouver is something like 5000 KM away from here......so theres a huge transportation problem unless there are discounted airline tickets.

Another reason why I'd say a joint hosting with the US is much more likely, in Vancouvers case you could have a group based there and in Seattle

Not to quibble, but of the above posts:

Australia is no longer in the Oceanian conference, but the Asian conference as of this year.

Canada is not the second-largest landmass, but contains the second-largest area (but not second-largest land area).

FIFA has stated that it may not continue the rota after 2014, and will not allow any more joint-bids.

I think it'd be interesting to see the World Cup in Canada. The last and only time, 1986, Canada bid, it lost out to Mexico. It'd certainly help out the development of the sport in Canada.

i dont think theres enough motivation for the world cup to go to canada...that just arb.

^^ There could be, trust me!

I thought that Canadians aren't as big of soccer fanatics as the rest of the world. It would be like the US hosting the WC the US definately has the money and the stadiums to host one but that definately woudln't work out because soccer is so far behind the other big three sports (American Football, Basketball and Baseball) in terms of popularity, and americans hold a mostly cynical view of soccer in their country.

Popularity of football in Canada really depends on where you go. in the three major urban centres (especially Toronto), its quite popular actually. it just seems to be all the northern and prairie people who have major boners for hockey and American football.

I'd say after 2020 we would probably be capable of hosting it. football interest is constantly growing, both domesticaly and from immigration, and population is increasing pretty rapidly. by 2026 we could easily have 50,000,000 people here, not to mention the over 300,000,000 just a few kilometres south of us.

the problem however, lies in the size of the nation. and as I mentioned earlier, the whole interior seems to not care at all, and the east and west coasts are thousands of kms apart. it could be feasiblt however to have it in the south east though. in southern Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, as this also has the largest population and high population concentraion in the US in this area as well. but what I'm curious to know, is how did America host the '94 cup? its nearly as large as Canada, so how spread out was it? (too young then to actually remember the friggin venues)

Popularity of football in Canada really depends on where you go. in the three major urban centres (especially Toronto), its quite popular actually. it just seems to be all the northern and prairie people who have major boners for hockey and American football.


Northern and Prairie people?

For every one Torontonian who drives around and honks his/her horn every time Italy or whoever else wins a game, there's at least 5 people who wish they'd shut the hell up. You're seriously exaggerating soccers popularity in Canada's big cities.

Even still, you forgot millions of non-'Prairie' Non-'Northern' Non-3 big city Canadians who have 'boners' for hockey... they're from Ontario. You've got black/white demographic vision.

For every one Torontonian who drives around and honks his/her horn every time Italy or whoever else wins a game, there's at least 5 people who wish they'd shut the hell up.


one would suspect that people who find loud, obnoxious, sport related behaviour annoying, would think so regardless of the sport in question.


Even still, you forgot millions of non-'Prairie' Non-'Northern' Non-3 big city Canadians who have 'boners' for hockey... they're from Ontario. You've got black/white demographic vision.

true, except that people who say that "soccer is not popular in Canada" generally seem to be from those areas, while those that talk about how popular football is, are from the other areas mentioned.

additionally, Toronto is the only Canadian city with a MLS team, and Montreal and Vancouver both have USL teams. sports teams are only really in cities with markets for that sport, so of they have them, then well, there must be at least somewhat of a market!

the problem however, lies in the size of the nation. and as I mentioned earlier, the whole interior seems to not care at all, and the east and west coasts are thousands of kms apart. it could be feasiblt however to have it in the south east though. in southern Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, as this also has the largest population and high population concentraion in the US in this area as well. but what I'm curious to know, is how did America host the '94 cup? its nearly as large as Canada, so how spread out was it? (too young then to actually remember the friggin venues)

Looking back the US didnt actually make as much provision for this as people think they did, some teams fans would have had to fly from the east to west coasts then back again.

As I said one way you could slove this would be to allocate each group two stadiums relatively close to each other which for a 32 team WC would mean a minium of 16 stadiums.

what the hell does Canada's land mass have to do with anything?

Why the hell should they have a WC in Canada?

Popularity of football in Canada really depends on where you go. in the three major urban centres (especially Toronto), its quite popular actually. it just seems to be all the northern and prairie people who have major boners for hockey and American football.

LOL!! Boners for hockey and American football!! Isn't it Canadian Football though?

For every one Torontonian who drives around and honks his/her horn every time Italy or whoever else wins a game, there's at least 5 people who wish they'd shut the hell up

Yeah cause they're all portugese fans!!! :lol: ...or brazilian, or french, or south korean, or costa rican <-ew, or ecuadorian, or ARGENTINIAN <- owns!, or german...

one would suspect that people who find loud, obnoxious, sport related behaviour annoying, would think so regardless of the sport in question.


Thats a good point... but I think alot of Canadians reject soccer because of it's international popularity.

LOL!! Boners for hockey and American football!! Isn't it Canadian Football though?

Yeah, its uh, Canadian American football... you know how Americans call real football soccer, and their game football, which is also called American football to everyone, even though in Canada it is Canadian football based on the American version of the game with the same name. I think. (jesus christ this is complicated :sly: )

But which one came first?? I'm too lazy to read this right now..,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Canadian_and_American_football

Holy shitcakes!!!!!! All you English fans are gunna laugh but at least its start, Canada has moved up in the world rankings from 83rd to...54th!!!!!!! :banana:

I think it's a real shithole.... Bad for baseball....

I don't mean Canada, I mean the Skydome...

They wouldn't let it go to England, Australia, and Canada, all 3 in a row. They wouldn't give it to that many Commonwelath nations in a row. Besides, how did you arrive at this list. Only the first two are for sure. and Brazil is very likely. England is in the lead, but that's not even close to a sure thing. And the rest seem to be just made up.

Going back to the original topic, I don't think Canada will ever host it. They only have 30 million people who aren't very interested in the sport at all. Outside of Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, none of the cities are really big enough to host something like that. There interest is about that of the US's but they have about 1/10 the population.

Anyone who says Canadians are not interested in soccer is a fool. Obviously you have never been to Canada during a world cup, or even Euro cup tournament. So many cars fly their country's flags, and stores go dead during certain matches. I know my store was empty during every Italy game. The Rogers Centre (Sky Dome) even filled up for the finals, where thousands of fans watched the game from the Jumbotron. Soccer is the most popular sport to play in Canada... YES, it beats hockey in terms of registration numbers. Most canadian parks do have soccer fields and Canada has now joined MLS with Toronto FC. Yes, we have a population of 32 million, but that doesnt mean we cant fill a stadium up for a tournament such as the world cup. Everyone goes soccer crazy here during those times.

So once again... before you people attempt to talk trash, do some research. You will be surprised at how popular the sport is in this country.

I love Canada, my fave country, and I would deffinitely go back there to see a WC, and I could visit some of my relatives while I'm doing it. They have the cities, the stadiums and the resources to pull off a great tournament, if they had the enthusiasm and desire to do so...but I'm not sure they do..... I think maybe if Canada progressed through to the WC finals more and got through to the latter stages, there would be more interest in the sport and the tournament as a whole.

I'd like to see England 2018 and Canada 2022! That would be my ideal choice, but I think China or Australia will get it before Canada :(

The only way Canada can pull it off is if we believe we can. The problem with Canada and Canadians is we never really believe. We constantly put ourselves down despite what foreign visitors say about our country.

Oh I think the fan base is enough. You see enthusiastic fans even in the smallest towns. The problem is the infrastructure - stadiums and transit especially.

http://static.flickr.com/70/186518481_0d119b9a51_o.jpg

Dear god, I hope this never happens.

Because no one in Canada would notice.

That is so true. No one in Canada would notice that there is a World Cup going on in their country of only 33 million people.

By the way, Canada will host the next under-20 World Championship.

or European Union with matchs in Paris, London, Berlin, Roma, Madrid, Lisbon, Warsaw, Bern, Amsterdam and the final in Bruxelles)

Nice idea! I would definitely support that!

Oh I think the fan base is enough. You see enthusiastic fans even in the smallest towns. The problem is the infrastructure - stadiums and transit especially.

http://static.flickr.com/70/186518481_0d119b9a51_o.jpg

That's a nice pic!!! Is that on the final? Too bad I was in Woodbridge, :(, oh well I guess it was the next best thing.

That is so true. No one in Canada would notice that there is a World Cup going on in their country of only 33 million people.


How would no one notice? Did anyone even notice the picture that I posted above?

There are celebrations for each country just in Toronto. You underestimate Toronto's immigrant population. Celebrations like this are not uncommon throughout the country.

double post

i know plenty of Canadians who love football as much as any normal English football fan.

but after saying that, Canada's national team would probably embarass itself in the World Cup (unless Guus 'magic touch' Hiddink takes over)

i'm not gonna be arrogant and laugh at the idea of Canada hosting a WC, but i think there will be too many stronger bids to ever allow this to happen

Because the U.S wont let em...

ok ok

:jk: It was a joke. :D

PD: I come in peace... :angel:

i know plenty of Canadians who love football as much as any normal English football fan.

but after saying that, Canada's national team would probably embarass itself in the World Cup (unless Guus 'magic touch' Hiddink takes over)

i'm not gonna be arrogant and laugh at the idea of Canada hosting a WC, but i think there will be too many stronger bids to ever allow this to happen
dont worry ur football team doesnt need to know how to play football..south africa's team cant..canada could probably beat south africa...thats not enough reason for not bidding..there would be stronger bifs though

I've always wondered why Canada isn't better at or more interested in football seeing as though there is a large French population there?

^^You know, i always thought about that too...
Who knows. :dunno:
Geographic location, maybe?

I'm sure one day we will, one day...

Maybe a joint thing just as the entire Pacific Northwest.

WA:

Husky Stadium (72,500)
Qwest Field (67,000)

OR:

Autzen Stadium (53,800)
Expanded PGE Park (20,000, +?)

BC:

BC Place (59,841)
New Vancouver Stadium (?)

Well...maybe not. Six isn't too much.

Bell Center - Montreal
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e0/Centrebellmontreal.jpg

Air Canada Center - Toronto
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/Day150accg.JPG

ScotiaBank Place - Ottawa
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Scotiabankplaceottawa.JPG

GM Place - Vancouver
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/8/82/300px-GM_Place.jpg

Pengrowth Saddledome - Calgary
http://www.seatdata.com/images/venue_pengrowth_saddledome/samples/sample.jpg

Rexall Pace - Edmonton
http://hockey.ballparks.com/NHL/EdmontonOilers/front.jpg

Since the options are limited, Saddledome.

Well, it's an old arena. It was built in the 80s, when the Olympics were around. But it had lots of renovations.

There aren't photos and more information! Hmmm I think Air Canada Center

There aren't photos and more information! Hmmm I think Air Canada Center

?? What ?? Does the name enlighten you? lol ? :)

The link is not working for the picture of Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

woops, ill fix that.... :) :)

Air Canada Centre, one of the best in North America

Air Canada Centre, one of the best in North America

How come? Give me your arguments?? compared to the other 6? Why is the ACC your National Best?

Air Canada Center from the outside looks very nice, and when I watch the games sometimes it looks really nice in the inside. It's that arena in my opinion.

I was dying to see the inside of ACC, and finally got to recently when I was roped into going to a Cirque du Soleil show. The building was the highlight of the concert.The arena was breathtaking and I was much impressed by it! I've not been in any of the others so cannot make an informed choice.

Maple Leafs Gardens

http://nhlfr.free.fr/actualites/dossiers/patinoires/mapleleafsgardens.jpg

One of the coolest arenas in the history of EVER.

Siemans Arena in Vilniaus is still the best.

Maple Leafs Gardens

http://nhlfr.free.fr/actualites/dossiers/patinoires/mapleleafsgardens.jpg

One of the coolest arenas in the history of EVER.

Can you believe they built this place in just 6 months back in 1931?

Anyway here is a couple other pictures of the Air Canada Centre

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/drjoe12/stadiums%20and%20arenas/27350848.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/drjoe12/stadiums%20and%20arenas/P1020158.jpg

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2396/p10201975hv.jpg

If you're wondering, capacity for basketball is 19,800 and 18,800 for hockey.

double post

As a Senators fan here is Scotiabank Place.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/90/ScotiaBankPlace_Inside.JPG/800px-ScotiaBankPlace_Inside.JPG

Rexall Place - Edmonton because it hosted the best NHL hockey team ever in the early 80s. There's magic written all over it because of that...

Here are some pics of the Best historical Arena, the Montreal Forum. Built in 1924, renovated in the early 70's.

Montreal Forum
http://www.icesk8.com/collect/montreal.gif
http://www.elzerphotography.com/Stadiums/Montreal%20Forum.jpg

The Air Canada Center

I don't really like the inside of the ACC. The seat colours don't match. And the views from the upper deck aren't as good as the ones at the Bell.

Here are some pics of the Bell Center in Montreal.

Bell Center
http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_arenen/templates/eishockey_hallen/hallenlisten/kanada/centre_bell/110.jpg
http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_arenen/templates/eishockey_hallen/hallenlisten/kanada/centre_bell/100.jpg
http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_arenen/templates/eishockey_hallen/hallenlisten/kanada/centre_bell/120.jpg
http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_arenen/templates/eishockey_hallen/hallenlisten/kanada/centre_bell/250.jpg
http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_arenen/templates/eishockey_hallen/hallenlisten/kanada/centre_bell/230.jpg
http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_arenen/templates/eishockey_hallen/hallenlisten/kanada/centre_bell/290.jpg
http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_arenen/templates/eishockey_hallen/hallenlisten/kanada/centre_bell/210.jpg
http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_arenen/templates/eishockey_hallen/hallenlisten/kanada/centre_bell/320.jpg
http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_arenen/templates/eishockey_hallen/hallenlisten/kanada/centre_bell/310.jpg

I would've added the onw in Winnipeg, Qubec City and the one in London or Hamilton, one of those two or maybe both.

Im surprised the ACC has so many votes considering the poor picture that started this thread. Is it well known or something?

TORONTO

Well, the Bell Center has better features than the ACC. Better location, more seats, more boxes, more decks .... But the ACC host 2 teams, and alot of voters are from Toronto, so I'm not that surprised to see so many votes for the ACC. The fact that Toronto has 2 franchises has alot of effect on the votes

It would also improve the CFL because it could give Quebec City, Hamilton, Winnipeg and Halifax that they need. Calgary's stadium would probably just need an upgrade, same for Montreal, Ottawa and not too sure about Regina's.

I've always wondered why Canada isn't better at or more interested in football seeing as though there is a large French population there?

If you consider the Quebecois French then why not say we have a large English population.

Canada doesn't have a large English or French population, since very few were born in either those countries. we have a large English and French speaking North Americans population.

Why would we want to host a tourney that we have absolutely no chance of winning. We have been to the World Cup once. 1986 I think. 3 games, 3 losses. We never even scored a goal. I think Canada should worry more about making the next World Cup. Maybe in 20-30 years if we improve our performance then think about bidding.

^^ Montreal '76 and Calgary '88 we came up short too, but that didn't mean we sucked THAT much.

Good thing WE didn't have to qualify for Montreal! Should Mexico host the next World Junior Hockey Championships? They have a team so why not. Maybe Egypt?
All I'm saying is soccer is not a huge sport at that level in Canada. It is growing at the lower levels so give it awhile. Concentrate on making the next World Cup not Hosting it!

Canada has third-world soccer facilities, therefore no chance of ever hosting a world cup. Government sports funding has always gone to ice-hockey to the detriment of just about every other sport.
The irony of this is that it is not even the ice-hockey powerhouse it once was.
Australia, a country with a much smaller population with a similar post-war european immigrant mix has a far far better sporting program than Canada.

The winter olympics at Whistler will do well because it's for the pampered spoilt rich kids. Even then, the ordinary working taxpayers will be forced to subsidize them.