Swangard Stadium facts for kids
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| Location | 6100 Boundary Road Burnaby, British Columbia Canada V5S 3R2 |
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| Coordinates | 49°13′51″N 123°01′17″W / 49.23083°N 123.02139°W |
| Public transit |  Patterson |
| Owner | City of Burnaby |
| Capacity | 5,288 |
| Field size | 115x75 yds (soccer) 150x65 yds (Canadian football) |
| Surface | Natural grass |
| Opened | 1969 |
| Tenants | |
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Swangard Stadium is a special place in Burnaby, British Columbia. It's a multi-purpose stadium, meaning it can be used for many different sports. You'll find it in Central Park.
This stadium is mainly used for soccer, rugby, football, and track and field. It has hosted many exciting games and events over the years. The stadium first opened its doors on April 26, 1969. It can hold 5,288 people, making it a great spot for fans to cheer on their favorite teams.
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Swangard Stadium: A Hub for Sports
The Story Behind Swangard Stadium
The stadium has an interesting history. In 1969, a sports writer named Erwin Swangard helped raise almost $1 million. This money was used to build an athletic stadium in Burnaby's Central Park.
On April 26, 1969, the stadium officially opened. British Columbia Premier W. A. C. Bennett named it after Erwin Swangard. Mr. Swangard himself wasn't there for the opening. His wife, Doris, represented him instead.
Home to Soccer Teams
Swangard Stadium has been a key home for many soccer teams. It has seen a lot of action from both local and international clubs.
The Vancouver Whitecaps' Journey
The city of Vancouver started a professional soccer team in 1986. They were first called the Vancouver 86ers, but later became the Whitecaps. This team began playing in 1987. Swangard Stadium was their home field for many years.
The Whitecaps played their last season at Swangard in 2010. They then joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2011. Swangard Stadium was not big enough for MLS games. The team needed a larger stadium. The Whitecaps now play at BC Place Stadium.
Other Soccer Teams at Swangard
Many other soccer teams have called Swangard home. The TSS FC Rovers men's team started playing there in 2017. They played in the USL League Two and now play in League1 British Columbia (L1BC). The TSS FC Rovers Women's team also plays at Swangard. They started in 2018 and also play in L1BC.
The Whitecaps FC 2 team moved to Swangard Stadium in March 2022. This team is a reserve team for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. They play in the MLS Next Pro league. The Vancouver Rise FC team, part of the new Northern Super League, also plays at Swangard.
Big International Games
Swangard Stadium has hosted some very important international soccer games. It has welcomed teams from all over the world.
For the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the stadium's seating was temporarily increased to 10,000. This allowed more fans to watch the exciting matches. The stadium has also hosted games for Canada's national men's and women's soccer teams. These games were part of Olympic and World Cup qualifying events.
In 2002, Swangard was the host stadium for the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship. This was a big event for young female soccer players.
More Exciting Events
Beyond soccer, Swangard Stadium has been a venue for many other sports and activities.
From 2013 to 2017, the Vancouver Riptide played at Swangard. They were a professional ultimate team. Ultimate is a sport played with a flying disc. The Riptide later moved to Portland, Oregon.
In 2014, the Simon Fraser Clan football team used Swangard Stadium as their home field. They played there for one season before returning to their campus. The stadium is also often used for track and field meets. These events bring together athletes from across the Lower Mainland.
In March 2015, the first Quidditch Canada National Championship was held at the stadium. This event brought the magical sport from the Harry Potter books to life.
See also
In Spanish: Estadio Swangard para niños
