McMahon Stadium

Not the best stadium in the world. Probably not the worst. They have improved greatly in the last couple of years, with more bathrooms and food carts. Still can’t believe they charge $ 6.50 for a beer. 21^st century where is my draft beer. Kinda feels like they are just waiting out a new stadium before they put anymore dollars into this one. Wish we could watch concerts here…

Part of the fabric of our city — but sometimes fabric frays, wears out, or just plain gets old. I attended games here as a kid, including football games in the 1970s when my parents treated me to Stampeders games as birthday presents. I believe I also attended the CFL All-​Star game here (look it up on Wikipedia). Was on parade here in 1990 when H.M. Queen Elizabeth II presented The Calgary Highlanders with a new Queen’s Colour. As a participant on the field, there was little to complain about.
As a football fan now, in 2014, the stadium is really showing its age. I attended the CFL’s Western Final this year and watched the Stampeders obliterate the Eskimos on the way to winning the Grey Cup.
On the plus side, the fans were so energetic that the team made special mention more than once in the press that it was they who helped the team immeasurably to get over the perceived playoff slump of recent years. The illegal procedure calls on Edmonton are probably proof enough. Plenty of red and white in the stands, with only a few feeling the need to wear bizarre costumes in the manner of our green friends to the east.
I paid $ 10 for a hot dog, pretzels and soft drink — which honestly was less than I would have expected. Still a bit more than lunch at a fast food place, but these days, not much more. And downright reasonable compared to buying food at a movie theatre.
The worst of it was the antiquated washroom facilities. Urinals had no modesty screens and men were lined up 10 deep, 10 across in the handful of bathrooms. Many were declining to use them, and I was one of them, opting to wait until after the game. One area the stadium needs a serious upgrade.
But really, having watched football at Commwealth Stadium and Investors Group Field in the last year, and having seen new stadiums built in Ottawa and Hamilton in the last season, it is probably time for Calgary to think of doing something similar here. We don’t need a covered stadium like B.C. Place, and Montréal’s Olympic stadium and Toronto’s Rogers Centre are now considered far too big. McMahon is just right in terms of capacity, but the bench seating and lack of luxury boxes, poor fan experience, etc., need to go. There is something to be said for sitting in an attractive building, too, such as Investors Group with its arched covered grandstands. McMahon, by comparison, was obviously built with function in mind and little else. But even basic functions need upgrading — drink holders on seats, for example, or handrails on the steep and slick stairs.
A historic building that unfortunately has little left to offer a population that has come to expect more. And with a winning team as one of the main tenants (I understand the U of C and the Dinos own it) couldn’t think of a better time to think about replacing it.

Eat BEFORE you go if you have special dietary needs. The ONLY thing that was remotely «safe» for me was the Greek Pita w/​out the pita. However the concession staff would/​could not accommodate such a request. i think the teenage girl’s head exploded when I tried to explain what I needed. We had to leave ½ way through our concert to go across the street to find something I could eat.

I honestly can’t believe that McMahon has gotten 4 stars when it honestly looks like it is about to crumble to the ground. Is this really the best that a world-​class city like Calgary can do? I grew up with Taylor Field (ie. Mosaic Stadium) — it’s a sad state of affairs when Saskatchewan is ahead of Alberta in the infrastructure game. Or Edmonton for that matter when you compare Commonwealth Stadium to McMahon.
Why I dislike coming here (and this has nothing to do with the general atmosphere at a Stamps game… which are usually pretty fun):
— Limited to no parking at the stadium itself (Pro: Easy access to the C-​Train), and I have no idea how one would ever get a parking or tailgating spot. If you do drive, it is a gong show getting to or from the general area during sporting events.
— Chairs with no backs. Seriously, it’s 2013 — I’m sure we could spend a little money getting proper chairs that aren’t wooden backless benches.
— Limited space in the concourses. I went to the Stamps/​Riders game this summer — it was an absolute nightmare trying to get from your seats to get drinks or to the washroom. I can only imagine what would happen if, God forbid, there was ever an emergency during a game. This lack of space is especially evident at half-​time, where line-​ups for food and booze are very long. Service for drinks is VERY slow!
— Washrooms — I will give them a point for at least having decent washrooms that are generally clean.
— Stairs — If you ever have the misfortune of sitting in the cheap seats amongst the riffraff that tends to frequent Stamps games, not only can you expect to leave with a sore back and bum, but also expect to fear for your life walking up and down slippery metal stairs.
All in all, McMahon has limited redeeming features. Time to tear it down and start over again.

I’m not really sure how to rate this place. I went here with a friend for the semi final stamps vs riders games. Which on it’s own is going to be epic. We got there, and it was a big cluster ^%$# of checking bags and getting people in. I would recommend they set that up differently, so people are all over the map.
Once we got in, we got drinks and washroom break. Washrooms were clean, busy, but that is to be expected.
Game was awesome, but that is irrelevant to the stadium. My friend got a burger at half time and said it was delicious.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a game, but it was definitely a fine experience.

McMahon Stadium is owned by the University of Calgary and is where I’ve attended various Canadian Football League (CFL) games and cheered on the Stampeders. My most recent game featured a 44 – 3 blowout victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It was a fun crowd, but no where near the stated capacity of 35,650.
The CFL Grey Cup game was held at McMahon Stadium in 1975, 1993, 2000, and 2009. In addition, McMahon Stadium served as the open-​air venue (as an ice rink) for the 2011 National Hockey League Heritage Classic match between the Calgary Flames and the Montréal Canadiens. The Stadium was also the location used for the 1988 Winter Olympics for the opening and closing ceremonies. The Stadium is named after Calgary residents Frank McMahon and his brother, George, who gave $$$ to both the University and towards the construction of this stadium.
My friend Jim has season tickets and their 2^nd Row/​20 Yard Line seats have been wonderful place to watch the Football, Outriders, and Fellow Fan action. I even snagged one of those small footballs that they throw into the stands the last time I was here. And he has a parking pass to the parking lot just outside the Stadium. That’s just the ticket for some serious tailgating.

I’m reviewing McMahon so that Unilocal will leave me alone about it. FINE, Unilocal! I like McMahon! It’s confusing at first, but people that work here are friendly, the stadium is clean, and one can’t help but get caught up in Game Day Fever when you’re surrounded by so many enthusiastic and cheerful tailgaters. Go, Stamps, go! :)

There are two ways to experience McMahon Stadium.
1) From the stands.
2) From the field.
I’ve had occasion to do both. Actually, before my first CFL game, I had only experienced McMahon from the field.
See, the Calgary Ultimate Association has McMahon booked as one of its game fields. On occasion, we got to make our way into the empty stadium and play on the turf under the watchful eye of the groundskeeper (note: if you’re ever playing on the field, be mindful that you can’t have anything but water with you. I had nothing but Gatorade my first time out and it was confiscated until we left). It’s even more fun when it starts getting dark out and the gigantic field lights come on. That place stays well lit until 1030pm.
From the stands, the stadium looks a lot bigger than it does from the field. The thousands of people milling about may have something to do with that. On a cold day (like today, it was –20 C), it’s noticeable just how much of the stadium is outdoors — pretty much all of it. If you go to watch a game and it’s November, dress warm, bring a blanket, and don’t forget some extra glove and boot warmers. If you can find a padded seat warmer, you’ll be doing yourself a tremendous favour as well.
Two last things: 1) There’s a bathroom at the far north end of the east side of the stadium (I guess that would make it the far northeast corner). It’s out of the way enough not to have the same lineup that the main washrooms do. Try it instead. 2) You can use beer tickets or cash in the lineup for hi-​balls. You’d be better off just with cash though, then there’s only one lineup to wait in.

Ah the CFL… it’s the NFL’s smaller brother… it’s farm system. They make it Canadian though: only 3-​downs, 110 yards endzone to endzone, 12 players on the field, etc. It’s alright though.
At this stadium, you could tell it was more of a family feel to it… well we were in the «family zone». They do all kinds of things to keep the crowd at bay: fireworks after scores, shooting mini-​footballs into the crowd, ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ raffle, etc. Basically it felt like a high school game in the states, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
My only annoyance was the freakin’ brat kids sitting behind us. I know this is the «family zone», but dang! Why don’t these dang parents keep their kids under control. Man, I was about ready to start throwing kids after a few quarters of it!
But alas, the Stamps won, and everyone walked away happy.