Death, taxes and the stadium roof
CF Montreal had hopes of being able to play winter matches in the refurbished Olympic stadium, but when and whether this will ever be possible is still uncertain.
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Joey 21:03 on 2026-05-26 Permalink
On the one hand, the new MLS schedule means the CF needs an indoor stadium (way more winter games). On the other hand, Quebecers should be fully on the hook to enable the Saputos to have a leisure project.
Nicholas 00:08 on 2026-05-27 Permalink
I’ve been on the pitch for soccer matches below freezing. Not too fun, but I wasn’t being paid what these guys are making. The Als can do it in November, the NFL does it in January, maybe they can handle a game or two in November (and, as they said, go on the road a bit). Baseball rains out, they can figure it out if we get a blizzard.
GC 03:47 on 2026-05-27 Permalink
Did you mean “should NOT be”, Joey?
Kate 07:18 on 2026-05-27 Permalink
I thought he was being satirical…
Joey 08:30 on 2026-05-27 Permalink
LOL let’s say you’re both right
Anyway, MLS is moving its calendar because, presumably, it will generate more profit for the league and its teams. So let them pick up at least part of the tab…
Josh Cuppage 11:44 on 2026-05-27 Permalink
Nicholas: I think the concern is more for the fans than the players.
Joey: MLS is moving its calendar to be in sync with the global soccer calendar. As it stands, MLS plays through several international breaks where all of the other significant leagues shut down to release players to their national teams. (A side effect of having run on a different calendar than all the other leagues for all these years is that it’s been a contributing factor to many elite players taking a pass on MLS.)
And MLS is not going to pick up part of the tab here. They are an American-based league who just so happen to have a handful of Canadian teams in it. I think they’d be just as happy if Montreal and Vancouver were replaced with Detroit and Las Vegas. (It’s a problem generally for Canadian sport that our top level teams in most sports are mixed up with these American concerns.)
Joey 12:36 on 2026-05-27 Permalink
Yeah, I understand the rationale behind the calendar change (which makes sense IMO), but it’s undeniable that MLS wouldn’t be making this move if it didn’t think it could make more money as a result – as you point out, they would trade off Mtl and Vancouver for US-based teams if they could make more money. But the way CF Mtl is positioning this is that the MLS is doing some altruistic schedule change to appease more important leagues and don’t-ya-know they just don’t have the money to support their franchises who are not set up for a winter season. Granted, it’s ridiculous to spend what $800M+ to renovate the stadium and *not* have it be able to host the local soccer franchise, but it can’t just be a permanent, recurring handout to the Saputos (net worth estimated at $7.59 billion by Maclean’s).
Nicholas 14:59 on 2026-05-27 Permalink
Josh, the CFL playoffs are mostly all outdoors, and sometimes it’s actively snowing and the stands seem pretty full. The Bills have had a few games with two feet of snow in the last few years, one which resulted in a one-day delay. If Montreal fans can’t handle being outside for two hours in November weather we may as well just pack the team in now.
Joey 17:00 on 2026-05-27 Permalink
The CFL playoffs end in November. Nobody is going to watch soccer outdoors in Montreal in February. No MLS team is going to agree to play soccer outdoors in Montreal in February.