Commonwealth Stadium
Commonwealth Stadium became the home of the Edmonton Eskimos on August 30, 1978. In the 2003 season, Commonwealth Stadium celebrated its 25th anniversary. Recognized as one of the premier playing surfaces in North America, Commonwealth Stadium remains the only major sporting facility in Canada with natural grass. Situated just 1.5 miles from downtown Edmonton, spectators are awestruck by the wide-open feel of the stadium, where you can expect the stunning backdrops of clear blue skies or the fiery northern lights.
Capacity & Crowds
Capacity: 60,081 Largest Regular Season Crowd: 62,444 (largest crowd for a CFL regular season game) September 5, 2003 Edmonton 38 Calgary 0
Largest Playoff Crowd: 52,709* November 15, 1981 Edmonton 22 B.C.16 (*when stadium capacity was 52,709)
Largest Grey Cup Crowd: 62,531 November 24, 2002 Edmonton 16 Montreal 25 Facilities
- Built for $20.9 million in 1978 to host the Commonwealth Games
- Underwent $22.17 million in major renovations in 2001 for the World Championships in Athletics and now features new concession and washroom facilities, a Mondo track and upgrades to the mechanical and cosmetic aspects of the stadium.
- The $6.2 million Sony JumboTron video scoreboard is currently the largest and most advanced system of its kind in the world – measuring 40' x 24' with a 16:9 aspect wide-screen picture format
Natural, grass field
- Commonwealth Stadium is the only all natural grass field in the CFL.
- 112,416 square feet/12,493 square yards/10,443 square metres/2.58 acres of grass is used
- The sod consists of a blue grass mixture and will take a crew of 8 approximately 20 hours to complete, from start to finish.
- The field is meticulously fertilized and watered to keep it up to standards that exceed national and international requirements.
- It costs approximately $25,000 to re-sod the field.
- 1800 cubic metres of a growing medium, a soil and sand mixture, is used under the grass that is leveled, floated and compacted to the final grade.
- The sod is from Big Lake Farm in Westaskiwin.
Sporting Events
2001 – 8th IAAF World Championships in Athletics
2002 – FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship
Concerts
- Rolling Stones
- Pink Floyd
- (David Bowie
- U2
- Genesis
- Meatloaf
- Willie Nelson
- EdgeFest tour
- Lillith Fair tour
CLARKE STADIUM
The creation of Clarke Stadium, named after former Edmonton mayor Joe Clarke, in July of 1938 helped Edmonton become a big league city and solidify the Eskimo franchise. In August of 1938 the stadium opened with much fanfare, before a crowd of 2,500.Clarke Stadium was the home of the Edmonton Eskimos until August 23, 1978.
An entirely new Clarke Stadium was constructed in 2001 for the 8th IAAF 2001 World Championships in Athletics, adjacent to Commonwealth Stadium. The new facility was developed for $4.35 million, including new grandstands, dressing rooms, washroom facilities, concession stands and field. With a 2500 seat capacity, grass field and Mondo track, Clarke Stadium is a legacy for all amateur sports and is operated by the City of Edmonton. The Edmonton Eskimos often still use the facility for practice and special events.
