Olympic Stadium (Montreal) facts for kids
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Stade olympique
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The Big O
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 Olympic Stadium
Location in Montreal
Olympic Stadium
Location in Quebec
Olympic Stadium
Location in Canada
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| Address | 4545 Pierre-de-Coubertin Avenue |
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| Location | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°33′29″N 73°33′07″W / 45.558°N 73.552°W |
| Public transit |   at Pie-IX at Viau Société de transport de Montréal Buses |
| Owner | Régie des Installations Olympiques (Government of Quebec) |
| Capacity | Permanent capacity: 56,040 (1992–present) 1976 Summer Olympics: 73,000 (1976–1992) Baseball: 45,757 (1992–present) Soccer: 61,004 Football: 66,308 Concert: 78,322 |
| Field size | Foul Lines – 325 feet (99 m) (1977), 330 feet (101 m) (1981), 325 feet (99 m) (1983) Power Alleys – 375 feet (114 m) Centre Field – 404 feet (123 m) (1977), 405 feet (123 m) (1979), 404 feet (123 m) (1980), 400 feet (122 m) (1981), 404 feet (123 m) (1983) Backstop – 62 feet (19 m) (1977), 65 feet (20 m) (1983), 53 feet (16 m) (1989) |
| Surface | Grass (1976 and June 2, 2010) AstroTurf (1977–2001; 2005–06) Defargo Astrograss (2002–03) FieldTurf (2003–2005) Team Pro EF RD (soccer; 2007–July 2014) Xtreme Turf by Act Global (July 2014–present) FIFA Certified |
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| Broke ground | April 28, 1973 |
| Opened | July 17, 1976, 49 years ago April 15, 1977 (baseball) |
| Construction cost | C$ 770 million C$ 1.47 billion (2006 – including additional costs, interest and repairs) |
| Architect | Roger Taillibert |
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| Montreal Expos (MLB) (1977–2004) Montreal Alouettes (CFL) (1976–86, 1996–97, part-time 1998–2013) Montreal Manic (NASL) (1981–83) Montreal Machine (WLAF) (1991–92) CF Montréal (MLS) (2012–present, select games) |
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The Olympic Stadium (also known as Stade olympique in French) is a huge building in Montreal, Canada. It's located in the Olympic Park area. This stadium was built in the mid-1970s. It was the main place for the 1976 Summer Olympics.
People often call it "The Big O". This nickname comes from its name and its round, doughnut-like roof. Some people also jokingly call it "The Big Owe". This is because it cost a lot of money to build and host the 1976 Olympics.
Next to the stadium is The Montreal Tower. It's the tallest leaning tower in the world. It stands at a 45-degree angle! The stadium is the biggest in Canada by how many seats it has.
After the Olympics, a special artificial grass was put in. The stadium became home to Montreal's professional baseball team, the Montreal Expos. It also hosted the football team, the Montreal Alouettes. The Alouettes later moved to a smaller stadium. They only used the Olympic Stadium for big games. The Expos baseball team moved away in 2004.
Today, the stadium is used for many different events. These include concerts and trade shows. It can hold 56,040 people, but more seats can be added for bigger events. The Club de Foot Montréal soccer team sometimes plays here. They use it when many tickets are sold or when it's too cold to play outside.
The stadium hasn't had a main team since 2004. It has had many problems with its structure and costs over the years. Because of this, some people call it a "white elephant". This means it's a very expensive building that isn't used much.
The Montreal Tower is part of the stadium's north side. It is the world's tallest leaning structure, standing 175 meters (574 feet) tall. The stadium and Olympic Park are next to Maisonneuve Park. This park includes the Montreal Botanical Garden.
Contents
History of the Stadium
How the Stadium Was Planned
Back in 1963, Montreal's Mayor, Jean Drapeau, wanted to build a covered stadium. He thought it was important to have a roof. This would help bring a Major League Baseball team to Montreal. The city can get very cold in spring and fall.
In 1967, Montreal was chosen to get a baseball team. Mayor Drapeau promised that the team would play in a covered stadium by 1971. However, he didn't have the full power to make this promise on his own.
A French architect named Roger Taillibert designed the stadium. He planned for it to have a special roof that could open and close. This roof would hang from a huge 175-meter (574-foot) tower. This tower would be the tallest leaning structure in the world. The stadium's design looks a bit like the Australian Pavilion at Expo '70 in Japan.
The Olympic swimming pool is located right under this tower. There was also an Olympic velodrome (a track for cycling) nearby. It was later turned into the Montreal Biodome. This is an indoor nature museum. The stadium was the main place for the 1976 Summer Olympic Games. It hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, athletics, football finals, and equestrian events.
The building's design is seen as a great example of "Organic Modern architecture". This means Taillibert used shapes inspired by plants and animals.
Building the Stadium
The stadium was supposed to be finished in 1972. But its opening was delayed because of a strike by construction workers. There were also more delays because of the stadium's unique design. The architect, Roger Taillibert, didn't want to change his plans. This caused the costs of building materials to go up.
The Quebec government eventually got tired of the delays and rising costs. In 1974, they removed Taillibert from the project. Also, Montreal's harsh winters slowed down work for a third of the year. Because of all these issues, the stadium and its tower were not finished when the 1976 Olympic Games began.
The materials for the roof stayed in a warehouse until 1982. The tower and roof were finally finished in 1987. It took another year for the huge 66-tonne (73-ton) Kevlar roof to be able to open and close. Even then, it couldn't be used in winds stronger than 40 kilometers per hour (25 mph). In the end, it was only opened and closed 88 times.
The Observatory Tower
When work on the stadium's tower started again after the 1976 Olympics, an observatory was added. This is a place where visitors can go to see views from high up. You can reach it by an inclined elevator. This elevator travels 266 meters (873 feet) up the curved side of the tower.
The elevator opened in 1987. It takes less than two minutes to go from the bottom to the top. It moves at 2.8 meters per second (6.3 mph). The elevator car stays level during the ride. It gives passengers a wide view of the city.
From the observatory, you can see the Olympic Village, the Biodome, and the Botanical Gardens. You can also see the stadium's roof and downtown Montreal.
How the Stadium Was Paid For
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In 1970, it was thought the stadium would cost only C$134 million to build. But strikes and delays made the costs much higher. By the time the stadium opened (even unfinished), the total cost had reached C$1.1 billion.
The Quebec government started a special tax on tobacco in May 1976. This was to help pay for the stadium. By 2006, the stadium's costs were finally paid off. This was more than 30 years after it first opened.
The total cost, including repairs, renovations, and interest, was C$1.61 billion. This made it one of the most expensive stadiums ever built at that time. Because of its very high cost, the stadium was often called "The Big Owe".
The stadium has made about $20 million in revenue each year since 1977. Big events like the Grey Cup football game can bring in as much as $50 million.
Ongoing Challenges
Even after the tower and roof were finished, problems continued. In 1986, a large piece of the tower fell onto the field. This happened before a baseball game. Luckily, no one was hurt.
The retractable roof was completed in 1987. But it had many tears, letting rain leak into the stadium. In 1991, during renovations for baseball, a concrete slab fell from a walkway. Again, no one was injured. But the Expos baseball team had to play their last games of the season in other cities.
For the 1992 season, the roof was kept closed all the time. The original Kevlar roof was removed in 1998. A new, non-opening blue roof was installed later that year.
In 1999, a large part of the roof collapsed. It dumped ice and snow on workers setting up for a car show. The car show and a boat show were cancelled. After this, the roof was fixed again. A system of pipes was added to circulate heated water. This was to melt snow. Still, the stadium floor was closed from December to March.
The stadium's condition got worse in the early 2000s. Much of the concrete was chipped and stained.
Plans for a New Roof
In 2009, a report said the roof was unsafe during heavy rain or snow. It would rip 50 to 60 times a year. The fire department even warned that the stadium might be closed without a new roof. Events couldn't be held if more than 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) of snow were expected.
In November 2017, the Quebec government approved a new roof. It is estimated to cost $250 million. The new roof was originally planned to be removable. This would allow the stadium to be open-air or enclosed. However, the idea of a removable part has since been dropped.
What the Stadium is Used For Now
Football Games
The Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes started playing their home games here in 1976. The stadium's seating was changed for football. It could hold 66,308 fans. The Alouettes played here until 1986. They came back in 1996 and 1997. After that, they mostly used a smaller stadium. They only played big playoff games at the Olympic Stadium.
The Olympic Stadium holds the record for the largest Grey Cup attendance. This was in 1977, when 68,318 fans watched the Alouettes win. The stadium has hosted the Grey Cup six times. It also holds records for some of the biggest crowds in CFL history.
From 1991 to 1992, the stadium was home to the Montreal Machine football team. They were part of the World League of American Football.
Baseball Games
In 1977, the stadium became the home of the Montreal Expos baseball team. They played 81 home games each season. But in their last two years (2003 and 2004), they played some games in Puerto Rico. The Expos team moved to Washington, D.C. in 2005.
The first baseball game at Olympic Stadium was on April 15, 1977. Over 57,000 fans watched the Expos lose to the Philadelphia Phillies. In 1981, the Expos played five playoff games here. In 1982, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held at the stadium. It drew a record 59,057 baseball fans. The Expos played their last game in Montreal on September 29, 2004.
The Olympic Stadium had some issues for baseball. The seats were set far back from the field. This was to make room for a football field. The upper deck seats were also very high up. Many of them were too far away to see the game well.
The Expos team was not asked for their ideas when the stadium was designed. But they tried hard to make it a good place for baseball. Before the 1991 season, changes were made. The running track was removed. Home plate was moved closer to the stands. New seats were added closer to the field. The total baseball seating was reduced to 46,000.
The playing field itself was also a problem. It was a very thin artificial turf over concrete. This was hard on players' knees. By the 1990s, some players didn't want to play for the Expos because of the poor field conditions.
Ten years after the Expos left, the Toronto Blue Jays started playing spring training games here. They play two games each year against other MLB teams. These games have drawn huge crowds.
Longest Home Runs
Willie Stargell hit the longest home run at Olympic Stadium on May 20, 1978. The ball went into the second deck in right field. It was estimated to travel 535 feet (163 meters). A yellow seat used to mark where it landed. Now, that seat is at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
On April 4, 1988, Darryl Strawberry hit a ball that struck a speaker hanging from the roof. This ball was estimated to travel 525 feet (160 meters).
Soccer Games
The Olympic Stadium was home to the Montreal Manic soccer team from 1981 to 1983. A playoff game in 1981 drew over 58,000 fans. Several games of the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup were played here. They had the biggest crowds of the tournament.
On February 25, 2009, the stadium hosted an international soccer game. The Montreal Impact played against Club Santos Laguna. The Impact won 2–0 in front of 55,571 fans. This was a record crowd for soccer in Montreal at the time.
On March 17, 2012, a new record was set. A crowd of 58,912 watched the Montreal Impact play their first MLS home game. This record was broken again on May 12, 2012. A crowd of 60,860 watched a match against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Olympic Stadium hosted games for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. One important game was the semi-final between the United States and Germany. It drew 51,176 people. The stadium is also a possible venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Office Space
Starting in 2018, the Desjardins Group planned to move about 1000 of its employees into the Montreal Tower. They plan to use 7 of the 12 floors in the tower.
Other Events
The Olympic Stadium has hosted many other events:
- The 1978 World Junior Speed Skating Championships.
- The 1979 IAAF World Cup in Athletics.
- A boxing match in 1980 where Roberto Durán defeated Sugar Ray Leonard.
- The Drum Corps International World Championship finals in 1981 and 1982.
- A youth rally with Pope John Paul II in 1984.
- A special mass for Brother André in 2010.
- The 2017 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships.
1992 Concert Incident
On August 8, 1992, the bands Metallica and Guns N' Roses played a concert at the Olympic Stadium. During Metallica's performance, the lead singer, James Hetfield, was accidentally burned by fireworks. The band had to stop playing early.
After a long delay, Guns N' Roses played a shorter set. The singer, Axl Rose, said there were problems with the sound. After the concert, some people in the crowd caused disorder. They overturned police cars and started small fires. This caused about $600,000 in damage to the stadium and nearby areas.
Attendance Records
Pink Floyd holds the record for the largest paid concert crowd at the stadium. 78,322 people attended their show on July 6, 1977. The second largest crowd was 73,898 for Emerson, Lake & Palmer in August 1977.
Getting There
The stadium is directly connected to the Pie-IX metro station. This station is on the Green Line of the Montreal Metro. The Viau metro station, also on the Green Line, is close by.
Interesting Facts
- At 165 meters (541 feet), the Olympic Stadium's tower is the world's tallest leaning structure.
- The stadium cost $770 million to build. By 2006, the total cost, including repairs and interest, was $1.47 billion. It took 30 years to pay off, which is why it's nicknamed "The Big Owe".
- The roof is only 52 meters (171 feet) above the field. Because of this, many baseballs hit the roof. Orange lines were painted to show if a ball was fair or foul.
- The Olympic Stadium holds the record for soccer game attendance in Canada. In the 1976 Summer Olympics soccer final, 72,000 people watched East Germany beat Poland.
- A yellow seat on the 300 level used to mark a 534-foot (163-meter) home run by Willie Stargell. It is now at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
- For the first time since the 1976 Olympics, a natural grass field was put in the stadium for a Montreal Impact soccer match in June 2010.
- The stadium has a powerful public address system, with 101,600 watts of sound.
- The main room of the stadium is the largest in Quebec, covering 43,504 square meters (468,270 sq ft).
Commemorations
Canada Post made special stamps for the 1976 Olympics. One stamp showed the Olympic Stadium and Velodrome.
Images for kids
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A view from the upper deck of the monster truck layout.
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The Montreal Biodome in front of Olympic Stadium and its tower.
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A full view of the Montreal Olympic Stadium's mast from the side.
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Olympic Stadium during an MLB preseason game in 2014.
See also
In Spanish: Estadio Olímpico de Montreal para niños
