Explore Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays
Welcome to Rogers Centre, one of the best-located ballparks in all of baseball, right in the heart of downtown Toronto.
Toronto Blue Jays
Established: 1977
Division Name: American League East
Ballpark: Rogers Centre, formerly “SkyDome” (opened 1989)
Looking back, it’s difficult to overstate just how big an upgrade the Blue Jays got when they moved from the frigid shores of Lake Ontario at Exhibition Stadium to their new home at SkyDome in 1989.
Exhibition Stadium was never meant to play home to a Major League Baseball team, but that’s exactly what it was from 1977 to ‘89. The summers worked, but games in April and May were dreadfully cold with the wind coming in off the lake. One of the great images in Blue Jays history is from the club’s inaugural game on April 7, 1977, against the White Sox. It snowed that day, and as the fans sat in the bleachers, bundled in parkas and scarves, a Zamboni of sorts made its rounds in the infield to clear the surface.
One time, a game was called because Jim Clancy was blown right off the mound. It was a stadium -- and an experience -- unlike any other in baseball.
Ask an old Blue Jays player about The Ex and they all jump to one feature … the field was crowned.
The field had been primarily used for football, so the field itself was slightly raised in the middle so that water would run off to the sides as it rained or as snow melted. Catchers who played at that stadium, like Buck Martinez and Ernie Whitt, describe looking out to center field and only seeing the top half of their center fielder.
Moving to SkyDome in 1989 was like jumping into another world entirely. It was a technological marvel in its time, complete with a retractable roof that drew the awe of the sporting world and a towering screen in center field. It’s all come to feel so comfortable over the years, but when SkyDome first opened its doors in ‘89 -- and its roof -- the Blue Jays had the shiniest new toy in baseball.
Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre location (via Google Maps)
Blue Jays schedule
Blue Jays roster
1 Blue Jays Way
Toronto, ON, Canada M5V 1J1
Capacity: Over 41,000
Dimensions: 328 feet to left field, 400 feet to center field, 328 feet to right field
Park factors (2024)
100 = league average
Runs: 100 | Homers: 100 | Hits: 100
100 is the average MLB park factor, so while a few more years of data with the new wall shapes and dimensions will be interesting, so far, Rogers Centre is still playing as a neutral park for hitters and pitchers. Some hitters certainly prefer the roof to be open, though, to help the ball fly.
When SkyDome was being built through the late 1980s, the area around it in downtown Toronto looked so much different than what you’ll see today. Parking lots stretched out from the plot of land and the condo buildings that now tower over the dome weren’t even ideas yet. The city of Toronto has grown up around the stadium so quickly, and while Blue Jays games attract fans from across Canada, there’s also a uniquely high number of people who can stroll out of their condos and walk to a game any night they choose.
The bones of the stadium are still in great shape, which is why the Blue Jays have been able to renovate and upgrade Rogers Centre recently instead of tearing it down and starting over. The Blue Jays added a full first infield prior to the 2016 season, doing away with the patches of dirt around the bases, but the big changes have come more recently.
Between the 2022-’23 and 2023-’24 offseasons, the Blue Jays carried out a two-stage renovation project billed at nearly $400 million. It transformed the inside of Rogers Centre and modernized it for a new era of fans.
The first offseason focused on the upper bowl and “Outfield District,” which the Blue Jays have worked to grow into a social destination with bars and different entertainment options. The second offseason of the project handled the lower bowl and everything underneath it, including extensive upgrades to the clubhouses and player facilities along with clubs and lounges for fans.
The Blue Jays wanted to bring a variety of experiences, essentially. If you want to show up, sit down and score the game from your seat, that still works (plus, you’ll have cup holders now). If you watch a few innings, wander the stadium, grab a cocktail and check back in for the eighth inning, you’ve got dozens of options.
Concessions
These were a focus of the Blue Jays’ recent renovations, bringing Toronto into the stadium itself with some options that go beyond the classic burgers and hot dogs… though Loonie Dog Nights on Tuesdays have become the most popular night of the week lately.
In the Outfield District, you’ll find the Corona Rooftop Patio, TD Park Social, The Catch Bar, The Stop, Schneider’s Porch and an old favorite in the WestJet Flight Deck. This is where you’ll find the specialty food and cocktails each season, along with plenty of other entertainment options throughout the night including live music and games. On Jr. Jays Sundays in the summer, there are also plenty of events for kids.
In the concourse of the 100, 200 and 500 Levels, you’ll also find a mix of unique food options mixed in with the classics and the beer selection has improved to feature more local brews.
Mascots
Ace has been the Blue Jays’ lone mascot since 2004. You’ll find him roaming the bleachers through the game and dancing atop the dugouts or on the field between innings.
On Jr. Jays Sundays during the summer, he’s also joined by Junior, who tags along for the afternoon.
Where to stay
Unless there’s a major concert or event happening in the city that weekend, you should never have any trouble finding a hotel in downtown Toronto. There are several options in the immediate vicinity of Rogers Centre and surrounding Union Station, but you could also choose to stay elsewhere and shuttle in for games.
If staying downtown isn’t your flavor -- or if it breaks the budget -- you could also choose to stay further north in Toronto or in Mississauga. There are plenty of options near Pearson International Airport, as well.
This is where the location of Rogers Centre really plays in the favor of fans. As long as you can find a reasonable price, you can set yourself up for a week or weekend in downtown Toronto where you can get to the game, dinner, drinks and everything in between by walking, cycling or taking public transit.
Local attractions
There’s always something to do in Toronto. Particularly in the summer, check to see if there’s a concert in the area that catches your eye. One of the best days you can have in Toronto is catching a Blue Jays game in the afternoon, then zipping over to an outdoor concert venue like Budweiser Stage for a show in the evening.
The area around the ballpark has plenty of tourist attractions, including the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium. If you have some time before or after a game, a walk through Kensington Market or St. Lawrence Market is a fine way to spend a few hours, too. The Hockey Hall of Fame, Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario and Casa Loma are also popular.
If you can time it right, try to get out to the Toronto Islands. You can take a ferry from the mainland, explore the islands for a couple of hours and get the best view of the city (and the stadium) before heading to the game.
Much of this is walkable, but you’ll also have the TTC as a public transit option with buses, streetcars and subways. If you’re open to cycling, that’s one of the best ways to see the city (particularly the Toronto Islands). Bike Share Toronto has racks or bikes available to rent all over the city and it’s very affordable.
Food and drink
Toronto has a little bit of everything, but what’s Toronto’s “thing”? Anyone who lives in Toronto has their own must-try recommendations for when friends come to visit, but you’ll have all the options you could hope for.
This is where Toronto’s diversity truly shines. Yes, you can find some great pizza, burgers and pasta in Toronto, but why not try something you might not have had before? Toronto has incredible Caribbean food, so if you’re new to patties, jerk chicken, roti and doubles, this is your time. Whether you want to try some pad thai, dumplings, curry, a Beaver Tail or a peameal bacon sandwich, Toronto has you covered.