Blue Jays present next phase of Rogers Centre revamp

The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled the latest part of their multi-phase project designed to grant fans at Rogers Centre an “authentic ballpark viewing experience”.

The Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise has presented new renovation details, including before and after imagery, for the reimagined 100 level seating bowl at Rogers Centre, opening for the 2024 season as part of the next phase of renovations.

The current 100 level seating bowl and structure – from foul pole to foul pole – will be fully demolished at the end of the 2023 season and rebuilt to introduce a modern ballpark experience designed specifically for baseball viewing, bringing fans even closer to the action. Fans will enjoy a dramatically new 100 level seating bowl experience, in addition to the three new premium clubs and seating sections previously announced in April.

Key features of the new 100 level seating bowl include a more comfortable experience with additional legroom, modern-shaped seats with slats on the back that provide more airflow, wider seats between the dugouts, cupholders throughout, adaptable raisable armrest options, and handrails in every aisle.

A greater variety of seating options will be provided including different vantage points from new sections, accessible field level seats, plus the previously announced premium seating experiences.

The new 100 level has been designed specifically for baseball viewing with seats oriented towards the infield, improved sightlines with less obstruction, and new seats closer to the action as a result of the remodelled bowl structure.

To introduce a new and wider variety of seating options that are closer to the action and oriented towards home plate, foul territory will be reduced by approximately 3,000 square-feet total, between the middle of the infield dirt, just past the bases, to before the warning track on both sides of the diamond.

“Our goal from the onset of renovations was to transform Rogers Centre from a stadium to a ballpark, and we are excited to build off the enthusiasm and popularity of the new Outfield District in this next phase of projects,” said Mark Shapiro, president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays.

“By completely rebuilding the 100 level seating bowl, we are introducing an authentic ballpark viewing experience, with sightlines designed specifically for fans to enjoy Blue Jays baseball.”

A year ago today (Friday), the Blue Jays announced a more than C$300m (£176.3m/€205.7m/$226.8m) privately funded renovation, to be completed between 2024 and 2025, that will transform Rogers Centre from a stadium into a ballpark through a series of projects focused on modernising the fan experience and building world-class player facilities. 

The ribbon was cut on the first phase of work on April 6, unveiling a new Outfield District, featuring five distinct neighbourhoods and many additional new social spaces. The Outfield District first opened to fans at the Blue Jays home opener on April 11.

Rogers Centre was conceptualised as a multi-purpose stadium when it opened in 1989 and had not previously undergone a large-scale renovation in its history.