Montreal Olympic Stadium – construction description

The renovation of Montreal’s Olympic Stadium focuses on replacing one key element – the central portion of its roof. While this may sound simple, the process is in fact complex and extremely costly. It is expected to take four years, during which the stadium will remain closed to the public.

The central part of the roof has caused numerous problems over the years. It was originally intended to be retractable, but the ambitious design proved faulty and, in 1998, was replaced with a fixed structure that could no longer open or close. That replacement, however, was also poorly executed and required replacement almost from the start.

Due to a prolonged decision-making process, the roof replacement didn’t begin until a quarter of a century had passed. This time, however, the new structure is expected to be fault-free and last for another 50 years.

Work began in spring 2024 and is expected to continue until 2027, with the stadium’s reopening planned for 2028. The project is divided into three phases: demolition of the old, faulty structure; replacement of the technical ring running around the perimeter; and installation of the new central roof section.

The iconic stadium, one of the city’s symbols and a legacy of the 1976 Olympic Games, will be preserved for decades to come thanks to the investment, and its full potential will finally be realized.

In parallel with the roof replacement, renovation of the stadium’s distinctive tall tower is underway, including the construction of a new observatory at its top and the replacement of the funicular that takes visitors to the upper platform. The tower renovation began in 2021 and is scheduled to finish in 2027.

More details about the Montreal Olympic Stadium renovation project can be found on a dedicated subpage