Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Barrie has revealed plans for a brand-new soccer stadium in the heart of downtown, thanks to a significant partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), MLS NEXT Pro, and Barrie Stadium Group. This exciting development will bring professional soccer to the city starting with the 2028-29 season.
The project features a 3,500-seat stadium specifically designed for soccer. Municipal officials and project partners believe it will become one of North America’s top intimate soccer venues while also serving as a valuable community resource throughout the year.
In addition to hosting the upcoming Barrie MLS NEXT Pro team, the venue is being built as a versatile space that can host concerts, festivals, amateur sports events, and community programs, expanding its economic and social benefits.
Barrie Stadium Group will be responsible for developing and managing this downtown facility. Led by chairman Jamie Massie and president and CEO Peter Raco, they have teamed up with MLSE and MLS NEXT Pro to create both the stadium and facilitate Toronto FC II’s move to Barrie.
The announcement took place in front of over 1,000 supporters at Meridian Place in downtown Barrie, highlighting strong community enthusiasm for this initiative and the city’s emerging role in Canadian soccer.
“This investment in our community, alongside Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Barrie Stadium Group’s investment in the newly formed Barrie MLS NEXT Pro franchise, will not only allow for professional sports to grow in Barrie but provide a pivotal community hub for our youth sports to compete and learn in,” Mayor Alex Nuttall said at the event.
The stadium is anticipated to support various sports like soccer, football, rugby, and lacrosse while positioning Barrie as a host for professional and international sporting events.
“More than thirty years ago, we helped bring the Barrie Colts to our community and built a venue, Barrie Molson Centre, that has become part of the identity of this city,” Massie said. “Today, we have the opportunity to do it again through the world’s game.”
The vision for this stadium includes not just a sports venue but also a central gathering place for residents.
“We are creating one of North America’s most intimate and iconic soccer stadiums in the heartbeat of Barrie while delivering a gathering place that the entire community can be proud of for generations,” Raco said.
This facility will serve as home base for Toronto FC II following its relocation from Toronto ahead of the 2028-29 MLS NEXT Pro season. The team will operate under a new identity representing Barrie with its official name, crest, and branding yet to be revealed.
Further information regarding design details, construction timelines, procurement processes, founding memberships, and sponsorship opportunities will be shared in upcoming months.
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The stadium is anticipated to support various sports like soccer, football, rugby, and lacrosse while positioning Barrie as a host for professional and international sporting events.
“More than thirty years ago, we helped bring the Barrie Colts to our community and built a venue, Barrie Molson Centre, that has become part of the identity of this city,” Massie said. “Today, we have the opportunity to do it again through the world’s game.”
The vision for this stadium includes not just a sports venue but also a central gathering place for residents.
“We are creating one of North America’s most intimate and iconic soccer stadiums in the heartbeat of Barrie while delivering a gathering place that the entire community can be proud of for generations,” Raco said.
This facility will serve as home base for Toronto FC II following its relocation from Toronto ahead of the 2028-29 MLS NEXT Pro season. The team will operate under a new identity representing Barrie with its official name, crest, and branding yet to be revealed.
Further information regarding design details, construction timelines, procurement processes, founding memberships, and sponsorship opportunities will be shared in upcoming months.
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