Rogers Centre Overview
So you’re planning a visit to the Rogers Centre, eh? Well, Major League Baseball’s only Canadian stadium has plenty to offer, as does the sprawling urban city of Toronto. Located in the heart of downtown, which is North America’s fourth largest city by population, the Rogers Centre is surrounded by bars, restaurants, museums, and attractions. In fact, the iconic C.N. Tower is quite literally right next door to the Rogers Centre and can be easily seen towering over your seat when the dome is open.
Our in-depth guide will help you navigate the city of Toronto, find some classic Canadian treats like poutine or beavertails (no, they are not made from real beavers), and show you how to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to seats and concessions at the Rogers Centre.
In our five-part guide to the Rogers Centre, we’ll cover:
- Travel: getting to Toronto and to your hotel
- Lodging: where you should stay in Toronto
- Local Transit: getting to and from Rogers Centre
- Ticketing/Seating/Premium: where to sit, how to buy, and whether to opt for premium seating
- Gameday: what to do before, during, and after the game
We hope you enjoy this insider look at the Rogers Centre. Please be sure to sign up for our free newsletter to stay informed about events, schedules, onsales, ticket deals, and everything else you need to know to plan the best fan experiences.
Why you should visit Rogers Centre
Convenient Location
The Rogers Centre is in the heart of downtown Toronto, offering easy access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and attractions. The city is very walkable and has an excellent public transit system.
Incredible Views
With the dome open, many seats have a view of the C.N. Tower — an architectural and engineering marvel. The view is particularly breathtaking at night when the tower is lit up with colorful lights.
Diverse Food Options
The Rogers Centre has all the fan-favorite stadium classics (which also includes poutine in Canada) as well as an array of gourmet and classic snacks, ranging from sushi to jerk chicken nachos and Bánh Mì.
Pre and Post Game Spots
The party is definitely inside at the ballpark’s new Outfield District. Three levels worth of bars, social spaces, mingling, and fun.
Loonie Dogs Nights
Every Tuesday hot dogs cost a “loonie” (a $1 Canadian coin) all game long. In one 2023 game, Jays fans ate 75,137 Loonie Dogs!
How many games should you see?
We think the Rogers Centre and the city of Toronto have more than enough going on to support a three-day visit. There are so many different seating and food and beverage options that you will certainly not be bored at the end of a three-game series. Maybe it’s one game in a seat close to the action, one game in the Outfield District, and a third in a premium lounge. Or perhaps you just want to experience different perspectives for a night game and a day game, and one day to just chill out and watch some baseball once all of your stadium exploring is done. Either way, there are plenty of options inside the stadium to keep you entertained.
For before and after the games, Toronto is an incredible city with tons to do, especially in the summer months. The cultural diversity is amongst the best in the world, the nightlife is top-notch, the local cuisine is sublime, and there are countless attractions to keep you entertained. They don’t call it the “New York of Canada” for nothing.
When should you go to Rogers Centre?
Look, we’re not going to sugarcoat this. April is cold. April is winter. This is Canada we’re talking about. Mid to late September is basically winter too. If you decide to come during those months and brave the possible snow and a biting wind that hurts your face, then you can also expect the dome to be closed more often than not. Pro baseball players don’t like the cold any more than we do.
However, May through August in Toronto is generally very temperate, and the dome is usually kept open during these months unless there is heavy rain or extreme heat. Having the dome open provides a much better atmosphere for games, and it also permits the breathtaking view of the C.N. Tower, so we recommend going for a game when the dome is likely to be open. Also, being a walking city, Toronto is much more enjoyable when the weather is tolerable.
Where Rogers Centre is located
The Rogers Centre is located in the heart of downtown Toronto, right in the middle of the city’s primary entertainment hub, and only a short walk from the Lake Ontario harbourfront. There are plenty of lodging and dining options around the stadium, so the location is definitely convenient for travelers. The stadium is also only a 10-15–minute walk from Union Station, which is Toronto’s main public transit hub. Basically, if you are staying anywhere in the city, you can get to Union Station rather easily using the subway or streetcar network.
If you are flying into Toronto, you are most likely flying into Pearson International Airport (YYZ), which is located just outside Toronto city limits, in the city of Mississauga. A taxi or an Uber can get you from Pearson International to your hotel in Toronto in about 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic and the specific hotel. However, Pearson International Airport also has a train that runs every 15 minutes which will take you right into Union Station called the UP Express. A single ride UP Express trip takes about 25 minutes and costs $12.35 CAD.
But don’t sleep on Billy Bishop Airport, which is located right downtown. We’ll talk more about that option in our Travel chapter.
Toronto’s public transit system is relatively efficient and inexpensive, so we recommend that you take advantage of it when you can. Toronto was also recently ranked as the worst city in North America in terms of traffic, so we also strongly suggest you do not rent a car, unless you truly love sitting in gridlock. Again, think New York, but colder.
About your Rogers Centre Stadium Insider
I’m Ryan, your Rogers Centre Insider and a loyal Toronto Blue Jays fan since birth (seriously, I was born during the Blue Jays’ legendary World Series run in 1993). I’ve lived in the Toronto area most of my life, and have been to more Jays games than I could even begin to count. I currently live in an apartment that is just down the street from the Rogers Centre, so if you decide to go to a game in my neck of the woods, there is a good chance I’ll be at the stadium somewhere as well.
What I love most about the stadium is the rich history and the incredible atmosphere. Every other team in the MLB represents a city or a state, but the Blue Jays represent a nation. The way Canada has embraced the Blue Jays, and the way the Blue Jays have embraced Canada, it is truly a special thing to be a part of. I hope you are able to get a taste of this experience when you visit the Rogers Centre.
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