Goal! Barrie is getting a professional soccer team and a new downtown stadium.
On July 14, Barrie unveiled plans for a new sports stadium that will be home to Toronto FC II beginning in the 2028 MLS NEXT Pro season.
The $26-million facility will rise on the former Barrie Central Collegiate property at Dunlop Street West and Bradford Street. Designed as a soccer-specific venue, the stadium will open with seating for 3,500 fans and include the ability to expand to 6,500 seats.
Beyond professional soccer, the facility will serve as a multi-use entertainment and community space, hosting sporting events, concerts, festivals and other gatherings throughout the year. Larger events will have a capacity of up to 8,500 attendees.
The project is a partnership between the City of Barrie, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), MLS NEXT Pro and the newly formed Barrie Stadium Group.
Dozens of residents, community leaders, soccer supporters and invited dignitaries attended Tuesday’s announcement. This included Barrie-area MPs John Brassard and Doug Shipley, MPPs Doug Downey and Andrea Khanjin, Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson and several city councillors.
Mayor Alex Nuttall called the announcement a milestone for the city and a long-term investment in Barrie’s future.
“Today is a transformational day for our city,” he said.
“We are announcing a major investment in our city, in our downtown, and in our young people and our future. It is a historic day for the City of Barrie.”
Nuttall said the stadium is designed as a community facility.
“This project is about community – while professional soccer will be the anchor tenant, the stadium is first and foremost a community facility,” he said.
“It will be to the residents and for the residents of Barrie. It will be a place where young athletes compete, where families gather, where community events take place and where memories are made. It will support soccer, football, rugby, field lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, and countless other community uses.”
He added that the project is expected to generate more than $130 million in total investment over the initial term of the agreement, including stadium operations, the franchise, concerts and entertainment. The development will generate an estimated $64 million annually in economic activity.
Toronto FC II, the development affiliate of Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC, will relocate to Barrie for the 2028 MLS NEXT Pro season as part of the partnership. While MLSE will continue to own the club, the team will launch with a new name, crest and visual identity. The Barrie Stadium Group will oversee the club’s commercial operations.
Barrie to contribute $8 million
Chris Shewfelt, vice-president of business operations for Toronto FC, said the project is the result of years of collaboration.
“Bringing a project together like this takes true leadership, persistence and a shared vision,” he said.
“This has been more than two years in the making and today is special because it reflects what can be accomplished when great partners work together.”
Shewfelt said the move will inspire young athletes and expand professional soccer to outside just Toronto.
“It’s about creating opportunity,” he said.
“It’s about investing in young athletes and it’s about bringing professional soccer closer to communities that are passionate about the game.”
MLS NEXT Pro president Ali Curtis said Barrie is the ideal home for the league’s newest club.
“What an amazing day,” he said.
“We know that this is the place that MLS NEXT Pro should be and Barrie is the local community that should have this team.”
The City of Barrie will contribute $8 million toward the project, with MLSE and the Barrie Stadium Group each providing about $9 million.
The city purchased 5.5 acres of the former Barrie Central property for roughly $22 million in February. Plans also include the construction of a 450-space parkade.
Construction is expected to begin following final planning approvals and Toronto FC II should kick off its inaugural season in Barrie in spring 2028.
