Olympic Stadium is a multipurpose stadium situated in Montreal, Canada. It was specifically built to host the 1976 Summer Olympics. It was the main Stadium for the 1976 Olympic Games. It is popularly known as The Big O because of its doughnut shape. Sarcastically, it is also popular as The Big Owe due to its high construction cost to host the Olympic Games. 56040 is the permanent capacity of the stadium, and it can vary according to the event seating configuration. Olympic stadium seating chart helps in finding the seats.
The construction of the stadium for the Olympic Games started in 1973, and it was completed in 1976. Initially, it was constructed to install a retractable roof; however, this was rarely used due to construction and technical failures. It is popular as The Big Owe after its huge construction cost. It has hosted multiple events of the Summer Olympics. It is situated in the Olympic Park of the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of the city. It has hosted many notable events, including the Olympic Games, 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup games, concerts, etc.
Olympic stadium in Montreal has been used to host multiple sports such as football, soccer, baseball, etc. It is Canada’s second-largest stadium by seating capacity. Commonwealth Stadium is the largest in the country and has slightly more seats than Olympic Stadium. It has accommodated 73000 visitors for the Summer Olympics. It can accommodate over 47,000 visitors for baseball, 61,000 for soccer, and 66,000 for football. It can easily accommodate more visitors than its original capacity for large concerts after the on-field arrangements.
Olympic Stadium has had many tenants in the past, including football, soccer, and baseball. It was used by the Montreal Expos MLB team, Montreal Alouettes/Concordes, Montreal Manic, and Montreal Machine. It has been the home ground of the CF Montréal MLS team since 2012 for selected games. CF Montréal uses Saputo Stadium as their primary home ground. Government of Quebec owns and operates the Olympic Park in Montreal. Currently, the stadium is in the phase of major renovation; therefore, it is hosting very few events. The current renovation is expected to be complete by 2028.
Olympic Stadium Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Olympic Stadium (Stade olympique de Montréal) |
| Location | Olympic Park, Montréal, Québec, Canada |
| Address | 4545 Avenue Pierre-De Coubertin, Montréal, QC H1V 0B2 |
| Venue type | Indoor multi-purpose stadium and event complex |
| Opened | 1976 |
| Permanent seating | Approximately 56,000+ seats historically; event capacity varies |
| Field event capacity | Up to 55,000 attendees, according to the venue’s event-planning information |
| Main public transit | Pie-IX Metro station, Green Line |
| Nearby transit | Viau Metro station, Green Line |
| Parking | Olympic Park garages, with more than 4,000 spaces across the complex |
| Current status | Stadium bowl closed to the public during construction; some events continue in other Olympic Park spaces |
Olympic Stadium Seating Plan Montreal
It is a large stadium, and the seating sections are spread across 4 levels. The color-coded map shows the location of each level for the easy identification of the seats inside the Olympic Stadium. It also helps in choosing the best sections before booking the tickets.
The map shows the seating sections and row numbers, which identify the seats. The location of premium sections is also shown on the map, and most of the premium sections are situated on the 300 level. Accessible sections are available in multiple rows that are spread across various levels. Pre-booking is recommended for the accessible section due to high demand and limited availability. Olympic Stadium Montreal ADA tickets must be booked only from official sources.
It is also used to host concerts, festivals, fairs, and similar events. The performance stage is set up on the field with on-field arrangements to accommodate the additional crowd. It can accommodate around 70000 visitors after the temporary arrangements. The location of the performance stage with on-field arrangements is shown on the Olympic Stadium concert seat map. These seat maps are printable and help in finding the seats inside the Olympic Stadium.
Olympic Stadium Best Sections
| Seating Type | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Seats | Lower or middle tier near the centre of the field | Balanced view of the playing surface and event action | Central seats can be more expensive |
| Best Budget Seats | Upper tier along the sidelines | Broad overview of the field; often better value | Greater distance from the action |
| Premium & VIP Seating | Designated club, suite or hospitality areas, when offered | Luxury & exclusive experience | Availability and inclusions vary by event |
| Seats to Avoid | — | Choose based on the event’s seating map | Extreme corner seats or very high rows may have distant or angled views; temporary event layouts can create different restrictions |
This Montreal stadium regularly hosts multiple sporting events and concerts. The location of premium sections and general seating areas is depicted. The premium sections, such as suites, clubs, loges, decks, etc are among the most expensive areas, with good views, premium service, and extra comfort. The seats with the best views are the most expensive, while the seating sections on the upper levels are affordable for most visitors.
Olympic Stadium Parking Map
The Olympic Stadium is situated inside the Montreal Olympic Park, and the combined capacity of the Olympic Park is around 4000. The location of parking inside the Olympic Park are shown on the map.
P1 parking is near the stadium, and the other parking lots, with their numbers, are also shown on the Olympic Stadium parking map. Parking inside Olympic Park is shared across multiple venues, such as Olympic Park, Saputo Stadium, etc.
Accessible parking for eligible visitors who use wheelchairs or have mobility issues has reserved parking spaces in P1 and P2. Some additional parking spaces are also available in other parking lots. Pre-booking of parking spaces is recommended ahead of big events at the Olympic Park. Visitors can pre-book parking by clicking this link.
It has good connectivity with public transport, and the Pie-IX station on the green line of the metro is near the stadium with convenient access. Another alternative metro station is Viau, situated on the Green Line Metro. Bus 139 and Bus 439 are also convenient options to reach the Olympic Park. Other bus routes also serve the nearby areas. Public transport is advisable to reach the Montreal Olympic Park due to traffic congestion before big events.
Olympic Stadium Bag Policy and Storage
| Item | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Small handbag | Check the event’s permitted dimensions |
| Backpack | Confirm whether it is allowed for that specific event |
| Large luggage | Do not assume it can be taken inside |
| Medical and accessibility items | Contact the event organizer in advance if special arrangements are needed |
| Bag storage | No universal, confirmed public bag-storage service was found for all events |
| Best option | Use a separately verified luggage-storage service nearby |
Storage facilities are available around the venue for most events; arriving at the venue with prohibited items is still a safe option.
Upcoming Events
| Day & Date | Event | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 14, 2026 – Monday, March 22, 2027 | Montréal 1976: l’histoire des Jeux olympiques en pièces — exhibition continuing into 2027 at Olympic Park | Exhibition / Olympic History |
| To be announced — 2027 | Additional concerts, exhibitions and sporting events at Olympic Stadium, subject to construction and official announcements | Various |
