View source for Varsity Stadium

{{Short description|Football stadium at the University of Toronto St. George}}
{{About|the stadium in Toronto|the former stadium in Vancouver|Varsity Stadium (Vancouver)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{infobox venue
| name              = Varsity Stadium
| fullname          = 
| logo_image        = Toronto varsityblues wmark.svg
| logo_size         = 100
| image             = Varsity Centre.JPG
| image_size        = 250
| caption           = The stadium as seen in 2009
| type              = [[Stadium]]
| current_use        = [[Canadian football|Football]]<br>[[association football|Soccer]]<br>[[Rugby union]]
| address           = [[Bloor Street|299 Bloor Street West]]
| city              = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]] 
| country           = [[Canada]]
| location = 
| coordinates = {{coord|format=dms|region:CA-ON_type:landmark_scale:2500|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Canada Toronto#Canada Ontario#Canada
| pushpin_relief = yes
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Toronto##Location in Ontario##Location in Canada
| public_transit = {{rail-interchange|Toronto|1}}{{rail-interchange|toronto|2}} [[St. George station|St. George]]
| broke_ground = 
| opened = 1898 (athletic grounds)<br>1911 (first stadium)<br>2007 (present stadium)
| expanded = 1924, 1950
| demolished = 2002 (first stadium)
| owner = [[University of Toronto]]
| operator = [[Toronto Varsity Blues|University of Toronto Athletics]]
| surface = Grass (1898–2005) <br> [[Polytan]] Ligaturf (2006–2024) <br> FieldTurf Vertex CORE (2024–present)
| construction_cost = $61.7 million
| architect = [[Craig and Madill]] (1929–1930) <br> Diamond+Schmitt Architects (2007)
| project_manager = 
| main_contractors = 
| tenants = {{plainlist|
* [[Toronto Varsity Blues]] ([[U Sports]]) teams:
* [[Toronto Varsity Blues football|football]], [[Toronto Varsity Blues men's soccer|soccer]], rugby (1898–present)
* [[Toronto Rush]] ([[Ultimate Frisbee Association|UFA]]) (2013–2017, 2019–present)
* [[North Toronto Nitros]] ([[League1 Ontario|L1O]]) (2016–2018)
* [[Toronto Lynx]] ([[United Soccer Leagues|USL]]) (1997–2001)
* [[Toronto Blizzard (1971–84)|Toronto Blizzard]] ([[North American Soccer League (1968–84)|NASL]]/[[American Professional Soccer League|APSL]]) (1984, 1993)
* [[Toronto Metros-Croatia]] ([[North American Soccer League (1968–84)|NASL]]) (1975–78)
* [[Toronto Rifles]] ([[Continental Football League|ConFL]]) (1966–1967)
* [[Toronto City]] ([[United Soccer Association|USA]]) (1967)
* [[Toronto Falcons (1967–1968)|Toronto Falcons]] ([[National Professional Soccer League (1967)|NPSL]]/[[North American Soccer League (1968–84)|NASL]]) (1967–68)
* [[Toronto Argonauts]] ([[Canadian Football League East Division|IRFU]]/[[Canadian Football League|CFL]]) (1898–1907, 1916–1958)
* [[Vanier Cup]] (1965–72, 1976–88)
}}
| seating_capacity = 500 (1898–1910)<br>10,500 (1911–23)<br>16,000 (1924–49)<br>21,739 (1950–2001)<br>1,500 (2003–05)<br>5,000 (2007–present)
| dimensions = 
| website    =
}}
'''Varsity Stadium''' is an outdoor collegiate [[stadium]] located in [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada. It is located at the "Varsity Centre & Arena", a [[sports complex]] on the [[University of Toronto St.&nbsp;George]] campus. Athletic events have been hosted on the site since 1898; the current stadium was built in 2007 to replace the original permanent stadium built in 1911. Varsity Stadium is also a former home of the [[Toronto Argonauts]], and has previously hosted the [[Grey Cup]], the [[Vanier Cup]], several matches of the [[Football at the 1976 Summer Olympics|1976 Summer Olympics]] soccer tournament, and the final game of the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]]'s [[Soccer Bowl '84|1984 Soccer Bowl series]] (which was also the last game played by the original NASL). It is located next to [[Varsity Arena]].

The stadium is home to the [[Toronto Varsity Blues]] [[Toronto Varsity Blues football|football]], [[Toronto Varsity Blues men's soccer|soccer]], and rugby teams.

==History==
Athletic teams of the University of Toronto have used the site as an athletic ground since 1898. In 1911, the university opened Varsity Stadium.

===First stadium===
Canadian sprinter [[Percy Williams (sprinter)|Percy Williams]] set a world record in the [[100 metres]] with a time of 10.3 seconds at Varsity Stadium during the [[Canadian Track and Field Championships]] in 1930.<ref>{{cite web|title=Percy Williams: World's Fastest Human|url=http://www.samuelhawley.com/percyfastesthuman.html|publisher=samuelhawley.com|access-date=31 August 2018|author=Samuel Hawley|archive-date=September 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915012928/http://www.samuelhawley.com/percyfastesthuman.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Argos v Rough Riders 1924.jpg|thumb|left|A game between the [[Toronto Argonauts]] and the [[Ottawa Rough Riders]] at the old Varsity Stadium, November 1924.]]
Varsity Stadium has for its entire history been host to the University of Toronto's collegiate Canadian football team, the [[Toronto Varsity Blues|Varsity Blues]]. However it was, until the opening of [[Exhibition Stadium]] in 1959, the home of the [[Toronto Argonauts]] of what would become the [[Canadian Football League]].  Although it has not hosted a meaningful CFL game in almost half a century, it still holds the record for the number of times any stadium has hosted the Canadian professional football championship game, the [[Grey Cup]]. Capacity of the stadium has varied with time, but peaked at about 22,000 in the 1950s although, with the use of temporary bleachers, a record crowd of 27,425 watched the Edmonton Eskimos defeat the Montreal Alouettes 50–27 in the [[1956 Grey Cup]] final. Perhaps the most famous Canadian football game played in the Stadium was the 1950 [[38th Grey Cup|Mud Bowl]] for the Grey Cup championship.

During the [[1976 Summer Olympics]], Varsity Stadium hosted several [[Football at the 1976 Summer Olympics|soccer]] matches, and was the site of the semi-final game between [[Brazil at the 1976 Summer Olympics|Brazil]] and [[Poland at the 1976 Summer Olympics|Poland]].<ref>[http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1976/1976v2.pdf 1976 Summer Olympics official report.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506012124/http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1976/1976v2.pdf |date=May 6, 2010 }} Volume 2. pp. 226–9.</ref><ref>[http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1976/1976v3.pdf 1976 Summer Olympics official report.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222508/http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1976/1976v3.pdf |date=September 27, 2007 }} Volume 3. pp. 227–89.</ref>

The NASL's [[Toronto Metros-Croatia]] used Varsity Stadium through 1978, before moving to Exhibition Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |last=Beard |first=Randy |title=Blizzard Hope Revenge Snowballs The Rowdies|date=April 25, 1979|newspaper=Evening Independent|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19790425&id=bgEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2260,2414559&hl=en|page=1C|access-date=July 3, 2016}}</ref> They returned six years later as the [[Toronto Blizzard (1971–84)|Toronto Blizzard]] and again made it their home for the [[1984 North American Soccer League season|1984]] season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Beard |first=Randy |title=Down 3 more teams, but NASL is stronger|date=May 4, 1984|newspaper=Evening Independent|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19840504&id=FMNaAAAAIBAJ&pg=2443,1156313&hl=en|page=6C|access-date=July 3, 2016}}</ref> On October 3, 1984, before 16,842 fans, the last game ever contested in the original [[North American Soccer League (1968–84)|North American Soccer League]] was played at Varsity Stadium when the [[Chicago Sting]] defeated the Blizzard 3–2 to win the deciding game of 1984 [[Soccer Bowl]] Series. The NASL would fold before the start of the next season.

In mid-1986, Varsity Stadium played host to the [[World Lacrosse Championships]], a tournament featuring the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. The US defeated Canada in the final, 18–9.

The new [[Toronto Blizzard (1986–1993)|Toronto Blizzard]] returned to Varsity in 1987 as part of the [[Canadian Soccer League (1987–1992)|Canadian Soccer League]] but would move to the smaller [[Centennial Park Stadium]] as a cost-cutting move. They returned in 1993 as a member of the [[American Professional Soccer League]] but again were forced to move, this time to Lamport Stadium, again due to financial difficulties. Varsity Stadium continued to host the Canadian intercollegiate championship, the [[Vanier Cup]] (as it had been for most years from 1965 to 1988 [with exception of 1973–75]), but that too moved to larger quarters such as SkyDome (now known as [[Rogers Centre]]) as the popularity of the collegiate championship grew.

[[Canada men's national soccer team|Canada's national soccer team]] played several matches at Varsity Stadium, including crucial World Cup qualifying matches versus [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]] in 1985 and [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] in 1993. Friendly matches versus [[Germany national football team|Germany]] and the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] were also staged in 1994.

Minor league professional soccer team [[Toronto Lynx]] moved into the stadium in 1997 but was forced to move to [[Centennial Park Stadium]] due to the impending demolition of the historic facility.

The stadium was demolished mid-2002 after the cost of maintaining the large facility was far more than it generated in revenue. At that time, several structural sections of the stadium were being held up by temporary repairs, and the future integrity of the structure was in question. The field and track were retained after the demolition. During the demolition and re-building of the site [[Toronto Varsity Blues]] relocated to [[Birchmount Stadium]] in [[Scarborough, Toronto|Scarborough]].

===Second stadium===
[[File:Varsity Stadium - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|Seats at the new Varsity Stadium are closer to the adjacent arena, making the two structures into a conjoined complex.]]
From 2003 through 2005, temporary seating of about 1,500 was installed to permit the use of the field for intercollegiate games. The name Varsity Field was used from 2002 to 2006 during the period when the old stadium was demolished and the new stadium was being built.

A plan to build a new 25,000 seat [[multi-purpose stadium]] on the site in 2005 was voted down by the governing council of the University of Toronto due to concerns over its cost. The facility was then planned to be built on the grounds of [[York University]] but that too failed. At the time of its demolition, Varsity Stadium was the second largest capacity stadium in Canada with a grass field, after [[Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton)|Commonwealth Stadium]] in [[Edmonton, Alberta]] (however, that stadium has since switched to an artificial playing surface). <!-- speculative: As [[FIFA]] rules require international matches to be played on natural surfaces, the loss of Varsity as a venue resulted in financial difficulties to Canada's national soccer team in Canada's largest market as there were no large grass field stadiums remaining in Toronto, until [[BMO Field]] was converted to grass from field turf in 2010. --> The stadium opened in 2007.

[[File:Midfield (1765862955).jpg|thumb|The Varsity Blues "T-leaf" logo on the stadium field.]]
Facilities and features built in the first phase of the stadium's reconstruction include an IAAF Class II 400m eight-lane track, artificial field turf (FIFA 2 Star rated surface by Polytan), and a winter bubble enabling use during inclement weather. The multi-use capability was one of the main reasons that the plan was passed by the governing council, as opposed to the 25,000-seat stadium. Compared to the old Varsity Stadium, the seating is closer to Varsity Arena, almost making the two structures one conjoined complex. Part of the red brick wall along Bloor Street was maintained for historic purposes, but the new facility is much more open and visible from the streets overall. The new facilities are designed by [[Diamond and Schmitt Architects]].

Following the renovation, the Argonauts returned to the stadium, hosting their 2013 preseason game at their former home.<ref>{{cite news|title=Recap:Argos win in return to Varsity Stadium|url=http://argonauts.ca/article/recap-argos-return-to-varsity-stadium|date=2013-06-20|access-date=2014-05-04|publisher=[[Toronto Argonauts]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505060210/http://argonauts.ca/article/recap-argos-return-to-varsity-stadium|archive-date=May 5, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>  Their 2014 and 2015 preseason home games were also scheduled for the stadium.<ref>{{cite news|title=Toronto Argonauts announce 2014 schedule!|date=2014-02-12|url=http://www.argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2014-schedule|access-date=2014-05-04|publisher=[[Toronto Argonauts]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223005427/http://www.argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2014-schedule|archive-date=February 23, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2015-game-schedule|title=TORONTO ARGONAUTS ANNOUNCE 2015 GAME SCHEDULE|date=2015-02-13|access-date=2015-02-13|publisher=[[Toronto Argonauts]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213212244/http://argonauts.ca/article/toronto-argonauts-announce-2015-game-schedule|archive-date=February 13, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

For the [[2015 Pan American Games]] the facility hosted [[Archery at the 2015 Pan American Games|archery]] between July 14 and 18. During the games, the facility was configured to hold roughly 2,000 spectators per session. The facility also hosted the archery events of the [[2015 Parapan American Games]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toronto2015.org/venue/varsity-stadium|title=Varsity Stadium|publisher=[[Toronto Organizing Committee for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games|TO2015]]|access-date=November 16, 2014|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905090602/http://www.toronto2015.org/venue/varsity-stadium|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Major events==
[[File:Presentation of Colours consecration.JPG|thumb|The [[Presentation of Colours]] for the [[Royal Regiment of Canada]] and the [[The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own)|Toronto Scottish Regiment]] was held at Varsity Stadium.]]
In addition to hosting several University of Toronto athletic programs, the stadium has also hosted several events including military, musical, and sporting games.

===Music===
The stadium has also been host to several concerts, most notably the [[1969 in music|1969]] [[Toronto Rock and Roll Revival]] on September 13,<ref name=mmjln>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gZcuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mqEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=710%2C3710779 |work=Montreal Gazette |last=Aronoff |first=Herbert |title=Mr. & Mrs. John Lennon visit the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival  |date=September 15, 1969 |page=23}}</ref><ref name=rkpot>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AmxkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=93wNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2873%2C5333066 |work=Calgary Herald |agency=Canadian Press |title=Rock festival reeks of 'pot' |date=September 15, 1969 |page=56}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mullen |first=Pat |date=2022-12-15 |title=Revival69: The Concert that Rocked the World Review - Toronto's Ragtag Revue |url=https://povmagazine.com/revival69-the-concert-that-rocked-the-world-review-torontos-ragtag-revue/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=POV Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> which ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' once called the second most important event in rock & roll history.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}  This concert led to the production of a documentary, ''[[Sweet Toronto]]'', as well as [[John Lennon]]'s ''[[Live Peace In Toronto]]'' album. Performers included: [[The Doors]], [[Plastic Ono Band]], [[Bo Diddley]], [[Chicago (band)|Chicago Transit Authority]] (later renamed "Chicago"), [[Tony Joe White]], [[Alice Cooper]], [[Jerry Lee Lewis]], [[Chuck Berry]], [[Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys]], [[Gene Vincent]], [[Junior Walker|Junior Walker & the All Stars]], [[Little Richard]], [[Doug Kershaw]], [[David Edward Sutch|Screaming Lord Sutch]], [[Ian Carr|Nucleus]], [[Milkwood (band)|Milkwood]], and [[Whiskey Howl]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-08-30 |title=Whiskey Howl Handbill at Wolfgang's Vault |url=http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/whiskey-howl-handbill/VST690913-A-HB.html |access-date=2023-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830074902/http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/whiskey-howl-handbill/VST690913-A-HB.html |archive-date=August 30, 2009 }}</ref>

[[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] performed at the stadium during their [[Destroyer Tour]] on September 6, 1976.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KISS Concert History Online - Decades on Tour Detailed: 09/06/76 |url=https://www.kissconcerthistory.com/1976/1976-0906.php |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=www.kissconcerthistory.com}}</ref> [[Rush (band)|Rush]] performed at the stadium on September 2, 1979, during their [[Permanent Waves]] Warm-up Tour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Permanent Waves |url=https://www.rush.com/tour/permanent-waves/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Rush.com |language=en-CA}}</ref>

===Sports===
[[File:1956 Grey Cup victory.jpg|thumb|[[Don Getty]] celebrates with the [[Grey Cup]] in the locker room of Varsity Stadium, after the [[44th Grey Cup]] game]]
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ [[Grey Cup]]s at Varsity Stadium
! scope=col | Game
! scope=col | Date
! scope=col | Winning team
! scope=col | Score
! scope=col | Losing team
! scope=col | Attendance
|-
| {{sort|03|[[3rd Grey Cup|3rd]]}}
| {{dts|1911|November|25}}
| [[Toronto Varsity Blues|University of Toronto Varsity Blues]] (3)
| align=center| {{sort|0714|14–7}}
| [[Toronto Argonauts]]
| 13,687
|-
| {{sort|06|[[6th Grey Cup|6th]]}}
| {{dts|1914|December|5}}
| [[Toronto Argonauts]]
| align=center| {{sort|1214|14–2}}
| [[Toronto Varsity Blues|University of Toronto Varsity Blues]]
| 10,500
|-
| {{sort|07|[[7th Grey Cup|7th]]}}
| {{dts|1915|November|20}}
| [[Hamilton Tigers (football)|Hamilton Tigers]] (2)
| align=center| {{sort|0613|13–7}}
| Toronto Rowing Association
| 2,808
|-
| {{sort|08|[[8th Grey Cup|8th]]}}
| {{dts|1920|December|4}}
| [[Toronto Varsity Blues|University of Toronto Varsity Blues]] (4)
| align=center| {{sort|1316|16–3}}
| [[Toronto Argonauts]]
| 10,088
|-
| {{sort|09|[[9th Grey Cup|9th]]}}
| {{dts|1921|December|3}}
| [[Toronto Argonauts]] (2)
| align=center| {{sort|2323|23–0}}
| [[Edmonton Elks|Edmonton Eskimos]]
| 9,558
|-
| [[11th Grey Cup|11th]]
| {{dts|1923|December|1}}
| [[Queen's Golden Gaels|Queen's University]] (2)
| align=center| {{sort|5454|54–0}}
| [[Saskatchewan Roughriders|Regina Rugby Club]]
| 8,629
|-
| [[12th Grey Cup|12th]]
| {{dts|1924|November|29}}
| [[Queen's Golden Gaels|Queen's University]] (3)
| align=center| {{sort|0911|11–2}}
| [[Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers|Toronto Balmy Beach]]
| 5,978
|-
| [[14th Grey Cup|14th]]
| {{dts|1926|December|4}}
| [[Ottawa Rough Riders|Ottawa Senators]] (2)
| align=center| {{sort|0310|10–7}}
| [[Toronto Varsity Blues]]
| 8,276
|-
| [[15th Grey Cup|15th]]
| {{dts|1927|November|26}}
| [[Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers|Toronto Balmy Beach]]
| align=center| {{sort|0309|9–6}}
| [[Hamilton Tigers (football)|Hamilton Tigers]]
| 13,676
|-
| [[18th Grey Cup|18th]]
| {{dts|1930|December|6}}
| [[Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers|Toronto Balmy Beach]] (2)
| align=center| {{sort|0511|11–6}}
| [[Saskatchewan Roughriders|Regina Roughriders]]
| 3,914
|-
| [[22nd Grey Cup|22nd]]
| {{dts|1934|November|24}}
| [[Sarnia Imperials]]
| align=center| {{sort|0820|20–12}}
| [[Saskatchewan Roughriders|Regina Roughriders]]
| 8,900
|-
| [[24th Grey Cup|24th]]
| {{dts|1936|December|5}}
| [[Sarnia Imperials]] (2)
| align=center| {{sort|0626|26–20}}
| [[Ottawa Rough Riders]]
| 5,883
|-
| [[25th Grey Cup|25th]]
| {{dts|1937|December|11}}
| [[Toronto Argonauts]] (4)
| align=center| {{sort|0104|4–3}}
| [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]]
| 11,522
|-
| [[26th Grey Cup|26th]]
| {{dts|1938|December|10}}
| [[Toronto Argonauts]] (5)
| align=center| {{sort|2330|30–7}}
| [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]]
| 18,778
|-
| [[28th Grey Cup|28th]]
| {{dts|1940|November|30}}
| [[Ottawa Rough Riders]]
| align=center| {{sort|0608|8–2}}
| [[Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers|Toronto Balmy Beach]]
| 4,998
|-
| [[29th Grey Cup|29th]]
| {{dts|1941|November|29}}
| [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]] (3)
| align=center| {{sort|0218|18–16}}
| [[Ottawa Rough Riders]]
| 19,065
|-
| [[30th Grey Cup|30th]]
| {{dts|1942|December|5}}
| [[Toronto RCAF Hurricanes]]
| align=center| {{sort|0308|8–5}}
| [[Winnipeg RCAF Bombers]]
| 12,455
|-
| [[31st Grey Cup|31st]]
| {{dts|1943|November|27}}
| [[Hamilton Wildcats (Canadian football)|Hamilton Flying Wildcats]]
| align=center| {{sort|0923|23–14}}
| [[Winnipeg RCAF Bombers]]
| 16,423
|-
| [[33rd Grey Cup|33rd]]
| {{dts|1945|December|1}}
| [[Toronto Argonauts]] (6)
| align=center| {{sort|3535|35–0}}
| [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]]
| 18,660
|-
| [[34th Grey Cup|34th]]
| {{dts|1946|November|30}}
| [[Toronto Argonauts]] (7)
| align=center| {{sort|2228|28–6}}
| [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]]
| 18,960
|-
| [[35th Grey Cup|35th]]
| {{dts|1947|November|29}}
| [[Toronto Argonauts]] (8)
| align=center| {{sort|0110|10–9}}
| [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]]
| 18,885
|-
| [[36th Grey Cup|36th]]
| {{dts|1948|November|27}}
| [[Calgary Stampeders]]
| align=center| {{sort|0512|12–7}}
| [[Ottawa Rough Riders]]
| 20,013
|-
| [[37th Grey Cup|37th]]
| {{dts|1949|November|26}}
| [[Montreal Alouettes]]
| align=center| {{sort|1328|28–15}}
| [[Calgary Stampeders]]
| 20,087
|-
| [[38th Grey Cup|38th]]
| {{dts|1950|November|25}}
| [[Toronto Argonauts]] (9)
| align=center| {{sort|1313|13–0}}
| [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]]
| 27,101
|-
| [[39th Grey Cup|39th]]
| {{dts|1951|November|24}}
| [[Ottawa Rough Riders]] (4)
| align=center| {{sort|0721|21–14}}
| [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]]
| 27,341
|-
| [[40th Grey Cup|40th]]
| {{dts|1952|November|29}}
| [[Toronto Argonauts]] (10)
| align=center| {{sort|1021|21–11}}
| [[Edmonton Eskimos]]
| 27,391
|-
| [[41st Grey Cup|41st]]
| {{dts|1953|November|28}}
| [[Hamilton Tiger-Cats]]
| align=center| {{sort|0612|12–6}}
| [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]]
| 27,313
|-
| [[42nd Grey Cup|42nd]]
| {{dts|1954|November|27}}
| [[Edmonton Eskimos]]
| align=center| {{sort|0126|26–25}}
| [[Montreal Alouettes]]
| 27,328
|-
| [[44th Grey Cup|44th]]
| {{dts|1956|November|24}}
| [[Edmonton Eskimos]] (3)
| align=center| {{sort|2350|50–27}}
| [[Montreal Alouettes]]
| 39,417
|-
| [[45th Grey Cup|45th]]
| {{dts|1957|November|30}}
| [[Hamilton Tiger-Cats]] (2)
| align=center| {{sort|2532|32–7}}
| [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]]
| 27,425
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ [[Vanier Cup]]s at Varsity Stadium
!Game
!Date
!Winning team
!Score
!Losing team
|-
|[[1st Vanier Cup|1st]]
|November 20, 1965
|[[Toronto Varsity Blues|Toronto]]
|14–7
|[[Alberta Golden Bears|Alberta]]
|-
|[[2nd Vanier Cup|2nd]]
|November 19, 1966
|[[St. Francis Xavier University|St. F.X.]]
|40–14
|[[Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks|Waterloo Lutheran]]
|-
|[[3rd Vanier Cup|3rd]]
|November 25, 1967
|[[Alberta Golden Bears|Alberta]]
|10–9
|[[McMaster University#Athletics|McMaster]]
|-
|[[4th Vanier Cup|4th]]
|November 22, 1968
|[[Queen's Golden Gaels|Queen's]]
|42–14
|[[Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks|Waterloo Lutheran]]
|-
|[[5th Vanier Cup|5th]]
|November 21, 1969
|[[Manitoba Bisons|Manitoba]]
|24–15
|[[McGill Redmen football|McGill]]
|-
|[[6th Vanier Cup|6th]]
|November 21, 1970
|[[Manitoba Bisons|Manitoba]] {{small|(2)}}
|38–11
|[[Ottawa Gee-Gees|Ottawa]]
|-
|[[7th Vanier Cup|7th]]
|November 20, 1971
|[[Western Ontario Mustangs|Western]]
|15–14
|[[Alberta Golden Bears|Alberta]]
|-
|[[8th Vanier Cup|8th]]
|November 25, 1972
|[[Alberta Golden Bears|Alberta]] {{small|(2)}}
|20–7
|[[Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks|Waterloo Lutheran]]
|-
|[[12th Vanier Cup|12th]]
|November 19, 1976
|[[Western Ontario Mustangs|Western]] {{small|(3)}}
|29–13
|[[Acadia University|Acadia]]
|-
|[[13th Vanier Cup|13th]]
|November 19, 1977
|[[Western Ontario Mustangs|Western]] {{small|(4)}}
|48–15
|[[Acadia University|Acadia]]
|-
|[[14th Vanier Cup|14th]]
|November 18, 1978
|[[Queen's Golden Gaels|Queen's]] {{small|(2)}}
|16–3
|[[UBC Thunderbirds|UBC]]
|-
|[[15th Vanier Cup|15th]]
|November 17, 1979
|[[Acadia University|Acadia]]
|34–12
|[[Western Ontario Mustangs|Western]]
|-
|[[16th Vanier Cup|16th]]
|November 29, 1980
|[[Alberta Golden Bears|Alberta]] {{small|(3)}}
|40–21
|[[Ottawa Gee-Gees|Ottawa]]
|-
|[[17th Vanier Cup|17th]]
|November 28, 1981
|[[Acadia University|Acadia]] {{small|(2)}}
|18–12
|[[Alberta Golden Bears|Alberta]]
|-
|[[18th Vanier Cup|18th]]
|November 20, 1982
|[[UBC Thunderbirds|UBC]]
|39–14
|[[Western Ontario Mustangs|Western]]
|-
|[[19th Vanier Cup|19th]]
|November 19, 1983
|[[Calgary Dinos|Calgary]]
|31–21
|[[Queen's Golden Gaels|Queen's]]
|-
|[[20th Vanier Cup|20th]]
|November 24, 1984
|[[Guelph Gryphons|Guelph]]
|22–13
|[[Mount Allison Mounties|Mount Allison]]
|-
|[[21st Vanier Cup|21st]]
|November 30, 1985
|[[Calgary Dinos|Calgary]] {{small|(2)}}
|25–6
|[[Western Ontario Mustangs|Western]]
|-
|[[22nd Vanier Cup|22nd]]
|November 22, 1986
|[[UBC Thunderbirds|UBC]] {{small|(2)}}
|25–23
|[[Western Ontario Mustangs|Western]]
|-
|[[23rd Vanier Cup|23rd]]
|November 21, 1987
|[[McGill Redmen football|McGill]]
|47–11
|[[UBC Thunderbirds|UBC]]
|-
|[[24th Vanier Cup|24th]]
|November 19, 1988
|[[Calgary Dinos|Calgary]] {{small|(3)}}
|52–23
|[[Saint Mary's Huskies|Saint Mary's]]
|}
{| class="wikitable"  style="text-align:left; width:80%;" style="text-align:center"
|+ [[Football at the 1976 Summer Olympics|1976 Summer Olympics Football Matches]] at Varsity Stadium
|-
!Date
!Team #1
!Result
!Team #2
!Round
!Attendance
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|July 18, 1976||{{fb|BRA}} ||style="text-align:center;"|0–0||{{fb|GDR}} ||Group A||style="text-align:center;"|21,643
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |July 19, 1976||{{fb|ISR}} ||style="text-align:center;"|0–0||{{fb|GUA}} ||Group B||style="text-align:center;"|9,500
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|July 21, 1976||{{fb|PRK}} ||style="text-align:center;"|3–1||{{fb|CAN}} ||Group D||style="text-align:center;"|12,638
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|July 25, 1976||{{fb|BRA}} ||style="text-align:center;"|4–1||{{fb|ISR}} ||Quarter-finals||style="text-align:center;"|18,601
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|July 27, 1976||{{fb|POL}} ||style="text-align:center;"|2–0||{{fb|BRA}}||Semi-finals||style="text-align:center;"|21,743
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ [[2015 Pan Am Games]] at Varsity Stadium
!Game
!Date
|-
| Archery
| July 14–18, 2015
|}

==See also==

* [[Birchmount Stadium]] – City of Toronto
* [[Rob Ford Stadium]] – City of Toronto
* [[Lamport Stadium]] – City of Toronto
* [[Monarch Park Stadium]] – Toronto District School Board
* [[Metro Toronto Track and Field Centre]] – City of Toronto
* [[Rosedale Field]] – City of Toronto
* [[York Lions Stadium]] – York University

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://kpe.utoronto.ca/facility/varsity-centre-arena Varsity Centre]

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sta|et}}}}
{{succession box
 | title = Home of the<br>[[Toronto Argonauts]]
 | years = 1898–1907
 | before = [[Rosedale Field]] | after = [[Rosedale Field]]
}}
{{succession box
 | title = Home of the<br>[[Toronto Argonauts]]
 | years = 1916–1958
 | before = [[Rosedale Field]]
 | after = [[Exhibition Stadium]]
}}
{{end}}

{{2015 Pan American Games venues}}
{{2015 Parapan American Games venues}}
{{1976 Summer Olympic venues}}
{{Olympic venues football}}
{{Grey Cup}}
{{University of Toronto}}
{{Toronto Argonauts}}
{{Sport venues in Toronto}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Toronto Varsity Blues sporting venues]]
[[Category:University of Toronto buildings]]
[[Category:University sports venues in Canada]]
[[Category:Canadian Football League venues]]
[[Category:Soccer venues in Ontario]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Toronto]]
[[Category:Venues of the 1976 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Toronto Argonauts]]
[[Category:Multi-purpose stadiums in Canada]]
[[Category:Venues of the 2015 Parapan American Games]]
[[Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) stadiums]]
[[Category:Ultimate (sport) venues]]
[[Category:College football venues in Canada]]
[[Category:Canadian football venues in Ontario]]
[[Category:Archery venues]]
[[Category:Toronto Blizzard (1986–1993)]]
[[Category:Toronto Blizzard (1971–1984)]]