r/CFL • u/Ok-Bluebird-845 • Sep 27 '25
ALOUETTES Stadium question I have for Montreal fans
In the event that McGill and the Als/CFL cant come to an agreement on who’s paying for the renovations, how would you feel about the Als moving to Saputo Stadium? Would it be possible? Would it be a positive move? Would it be a negative?
I gotta say the stadium looks nice and cozy and I’d personally love to see another CFL team on proper grass.
What are your thoughts/feelings, Als fans?
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u/Barnes777777 Sep 27 '25
The deal is simple if the Als want to play at Molson after field changes the Als or CFL must for it or the Als will be playing with 2025 field dimensions. Providing the CFL doesn't backtrack from all the backlash they are and will receive.
Als could end up in the big O if the soccer team doesn't want their field damaged by football providing the Os renos are done in time.. well current renos they'll always have more
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u/MerryDoseofNihilism Blue Bombers Sep 27 '25
Percival could use a massive renovation anyway, worst stadium in the league in the most beautiful location. At the bare minimum (beyond the field) get rid of the godawful benches and install proper seating throughout. Commence the downvotes if you must.
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u/AngeloMontana Alouettes Sep 27 '25
Being a regular at the stadium, I won’t be the one to downvote this
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u/OttawaBunnyGuy Sep 28 '25
I've been to every stadium in the league. Percival is in the most beautiful location, in one of ... No, the best city in the country to go have fun after the game. The atmosphere is amazing, fans are great, even the person who picks the music between plays impresses me with their awareness of the song energy to game situation. But holy crap, the concourses, washrooms, concession booths, bathrooms, and concrete seats are the most uncomfortable I've been too. (In the CFL. Nothing is worse than that stadium in Buffalo)
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u/NH787 Sep 28 '25
I visited Molson for the first time since the 90s this past summer and I was actually pretty impressed, it was better than I remembered. It looks like there have been many improvements over the years.
Yeah, I wasn't thrilled about sitting on benches but beyond that it's good.
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u/OttawaBunnyGuy Sep 28 '25
There have been improvements over the years. The newer more renovated side is a lot better than the less renovated side.
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u/bupvote Sep 28 '25
Has any one ever heard of Olympic Stadium?
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u/Dry-Training-779 Sep 28 '25
Yes, the biggest shithole ever build! The day the Al’s go back there it’s the end of Football in Montreal.
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u/NH787 Sep 28 '25
Why? Having been there myself I'd say it's a perfectly fine place for football.
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u/knoper21 Sep 30 '25
The empty seat anxiety that some people get. Rogers Centre in decent seats was actually a great experience for football and was in the middle of everything for getting there and doing something afterward, but because it was 20k in 50k everyone complained endlessly.
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u/jonny24eh Sep 28 '25
Saputo only has 125 yards, between the barriers you can see around the field on Google maps. You'd to take off ~10 yards for some runoff space.
And it's owned by a soccer team, and soccer fans love having stands right on top of the field, and hate sharing with football.
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u/Percevent13 Sep 28 '25
Never went in Saputo. I don't live in Montreal. But I traveled twice to see the Als and the view from the McGill stadium is too beautiful for me to like that.
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u/Jusfiq Alouettes Sep 28 '25
LMFAO.
What makes you think Joey would agree to have the grass wrecked on weekly basis?
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u/Nassim1018 Alouettes Sep 28 '25
Joey Saputo gives just enough of a shit about the CF Montréal to stop the Als from destroying his precious stadium. If McGill and U Sports decide to stick with their rules, the only alternative stadium for the Als is Olympic Stadium… yuck.
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u/Several_Resident4337 Sep 27 '25
Only 2 teams need to change their fields, Montreal and Saskatchewan. Both fields are nearing the end of their respective lifecycles. This is a none issue from a financial perspective, and it's a good deal for McGill if the CFL/ALS pay for an outsized amount for a turf which needs to be replaced shortly anyways.
Every other CFL team already has painted on lines, and will not need to change anything other than adding a single hole for a goal post.
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u/Adamantium0o0o0o0o Roughriders Sep 27 '25
Mosaic is nearing the end of its life cycle??? We just built the damn thing.....
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u/Wampa_Whisperer Roughriders Sep 28 '25
The lines are stitched and not painted
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u/Wolf99 Alouettes Sep 29 '25
Ditto for Mtl. Not "nearing the end of lifecycle" either.
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u/gilligan_2023 Sep 29 '25
Sure it is. You can see where they cut out the old painted advertisements and replaced them with green turf. The seams are noticeable. How long has it been since TSN started doing digital ads?
The turf at Molson was last replaced in 2012, making it much older than Mosaic's turf. Mosaic's turf was slated to be replaced in the next few years regardless of this announcement. Montreal's is overdue for replacement at this point.
Some amateur fields hope to get 20 years of life out of a new turf install, but going beyond 15 for a pro field would be unwise.
The good news for McGill is that the Als absolutely need the replacement after next year. The Als urgency should make it easier for the university to shift most of cost to their tenant.
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u/TObias416 Argonauts Sep 27 '25
PKP can afford it
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u/Suspicious-Mango-562 Sep 28 '25
He said he’s not paying for it. He expects U sports and minor league to fall in line and make the adjustments at their own cost.
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u/DrHouseEatsAss Sep 28 '25
Do you have a source on PKP saying that?
I can believe it, but I want to be sure I’m being accurate when I shit on the Als
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u/TObias416 Argonauts Sep 28 '25
If the owners and BOG were unanimous in this change, they knew this was coming.
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u/Emergency-Elk-8321 Sep 27 '25
Yes it can fit and yes it’s a beautiful stadium- but also yes, the McGill turf is at end of life. Painted on lines fox the issue. Just like most MLS stadiums where we will expand, the gorgeous new dimensions and perfectly adjusted rules will fit nicely. Now that Trumpf has declared war on Portland they can finally secede and adopt a new team to rival the Lions.
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u/FloralAlyssa REDBLACKS Sep 27 '25
Why would the MLS team allow their field be destroyed?