Commonwealth Stadium

What an awesome stadium we have here in Edmonton. I forget just how great this place is since I never attend any Eskimo games but coming here for the FIFA Women’s World Cup showed everyone, and the world, what a great facility we have right here under our nose! The stadium seats are in shades of green and gold (rightly so). The only and somewhat big drawback to this place (and i’m sure it was only related to hosting the FIFA games) was that they ran out of food half way through the double header — and with no communication to the massive crowds lined up everywhere, it was frustrating for many to stand in several different lines for up to an hour, only to find out time and time again that there was no more food once you got to the counter. Very poor planning on the Stadium’s part as it left a foul mood for some people who ended up missing vital parts of the opening day games while they stood in line for food and drink only to be disappointed.

I became a football fan after watching Edmonton Eskimos home game!
From the outside you can tell that it is an old arena, but once you are inside I was in awe to see to huge stadium with fans very proud of their home team. Eskimos is very competitive. The seat is much better than Rexall and I will definitely watch another football game here! (besides it is the only one) Great experience!

The Commonwealth Stadium was built originally for the 1978 Commonwealth Games and the Queen with Prince Philip and their two sons were there to officially open the Games. The stadium is pretty big with seating for over 56,000 people. It is home to the Edmonton Eskimos football team of the Canadian Football League. I love coming to this stadium to watch the Eskimos play ball and have been watching them play for over 25 years. Over the years, the concession stand items have gotten better and the crowds have gotten bigger. I used to sit pretty high up in the stands and there weren’t that many people around me. Now when I go to a game, I am surrounded by people. The more people the merrier. The crowds really do make the game more exciting. The only downside is that it takes so much longer to get out of the stadium when the game is over.

I’ll admit I’m not the biggest football fan. I mean I like the game, I guess, but I don’t really understand all the rules. Still if I’m going to watch football then I want to watch it live so I went to the first pregame of the ²⁰¹⁴⁄₁₅ football season Edmonton Eskimos vs BC Lions.
One thing I love about football games is that ETS provides free public transits on the buses, LRT, as well as park and ride services from various lots around the city before and after the game (I think it’s 90 minutes before and after). Parking around Commonwealth is stupid, and even on the Park ‘n Ride bus EPS had blocked off 112Ave to traffic, except buses going to the game, so driving at parking at Commonwealth seems like a pain.
Your bags might get checked at Commonwealth, but from what I understand you can bring in your own water and snacks here (unlike at Rexall). They’re mainly concerned with safety issues for the bag checks. That’s handy to know because food here can be pricey ($ 3.50 for a bottle of water).
Commonwealth is an outdoor stadium so it’s important to come prepared for any weather. At our game it went from scorching hot, to cloudy and manageable, to rain (not too much). Put on sunscreen and bug spray, wear sunglasses (particularly if you’re on the east/​visitors side as you’ll be facing the sun as it sets), and bring along a poncho or waterproof jacket. Depending on wear you sit there could be a lot of stairs and walking to do.
The game itself was fun, but not high scoring (unfortunately we didn’t win). Edmonton has some kinks to work out, but that’s why it’s a pre-​game. Hopefully they’ll get things figured out, and people will continue to head to Commonwealth for a football game. I’m sure I will.

Yup, lots of concrete… 65,000 seats… Too many flags to count… and a helluva crowd of people that come out here to cheer on their team, to watch fantastic music concerts, to experience World Class Soccer… Edmonton rocks the world from this place!

A stadium can be a city’s lifeblood. Sporting events, concerts — communal experiences shared by tens of thousands, bringing them close together and creating a bond that will resonate through the ages.
Although I was most reluctant to drive up to Edmonton this past June, there was a very good reason to do so: U2 at Commonwealth on the 360 Tour. After a pit stop at West Ed for grub and gear (rain in the forecast!), we drove down to the madness at 5 pm: a huge mass of people lined up waiting to get on the floor. Parking within a ten mile radius was obviously going to be an issue, and as nice as a tightly packed condo garage, entered through a back alley, sounds, it was the best option at the time. Plus it was within two blocks, and whatever happened with the rain, at least the car would be dry. Possibly stripped clean on cinders, but dry.
The stadium itself is blah: I’ve only been to McMahon once to see a football game, and a stadium concert was never an option in the tightly regulated dead zone around that building (lest the poor neighbors have their ears assaulted). We were excited by the promise of our tickets: second balcony, first row. Turns out second balcony is pretty much on ground level, on the opposite side of the stage, and first row is directly behind a row of port-​a-​potties. In addition, the seats do not have backs but rather are a hollowed out scoop of hard plastic to park your ass into. Nice!
Welcome to Commonwealth! Because your seats are directly behind this row of port-​a-​potties, we are going to move you to row 24, even further away from the action! Your view will be partially obstructed by the huge sound mixing board, and the giant Eskimos… thing…that’s suspended over the middle of the field! Enjoy the wait!
And wait you shall! Three hours before the opening band, there is little to do but sit and wait. And wait. Then decide to try your luck in the merch line, then wait some more there. And wait. And move two steps. And an hour later give up with no end in sight. Then sit back down and wait. Wait, did I miss the opening act? Who was it, Snow Patrol? Interpol? I can’t remember. Let’s wait some more. Maybe hit up the washrooms and try out the troughs, and the giant communal fountain of a sink.
The U2 portion of Commonwealth was a magical experience, and a stadium show of that caliber must be lived through once. The stadium itself? Well, let’s just leave that to the experts and split the opinion down the middle.
³⁰⁄₃₀ BOOM!

I am not the biggest sports person, I’ll admit. I can’t think of anything more dull than watching sports on TV. But I do enjoy a great LIVE sports game, so I was pretty excited for the FC Edmonton match against Toronto FC at Commonwealth.
I got in a bit late because, silly me, I hadn’t counted on parking costs, and duh, cash only. So a quick trip to the bank and back to the lot later, I was into Commonwealth.
We were pretty high up, but at least we were sheltered. (It was a bit chilly that night!) Even being up high, we could still see all the action. Any exciting bits were featured on the screens to the side of the field.
My hot dog was awesome (sorry, Karlie M — I don’t know why they told you they didn’t have any!) although it didn’t not fill me up like I had hoped. Should’ve gone for the footlong!
Tickets are a little bit steep for me to go too often, but it was a very fun evening. Thanks for having us, Commonwealth!