Professional soccer and a purpose-built downtown stadium will transform Barrie for generations to come

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday July 14 2026

Barrie, ON – For years, Downtown Barrie has been building toward a vision of becoming one of Canada’s most dynamic waterfront downtowns—a place where people gather not only to shop, dine, and celebrate, but to experience unforgettable moments together.

Today’s announcement that Toronto FC II will relocate to Barrie as Barrie MLS NEXT Pro, alongside plans for a purpose-built downtown soccer stadium, represents the realization of that vision.

The Downtown Barrie BIA proudly applauds the City of Barrie, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, MLS NEXT Pro, and Barrie Stadium Group on this landmark partnership that will permanently place professional sport in the heart of Downtown Barrie.

“This is one of those announcements people will remember years from now,” said Steve Ricalis, Chair of the Downtown Barrie BIA. “Professional soccer belongs in the heart of a city, where the energy of the crowd spills onto the streets, restaurants fill before kickoff, patios stay busy after the final whistle, and the entire downtown becomes part of the experience. This is an incredible investment in Barrie’s future.”

A Catalyst for Downtown Growth

Around the world, downtown sports venues have consistently demonstrated their ability to transform city centres.

Purpose-built stadiums generate increased pedestrian traffic, strengthen local retail and restaurant sales, create new hospitality demand, encourage private investment, support employment, and become anchors for surrounding mixed-use development. Matchdays create repeat visitation, introducing thousands of people to local businesses while encouraging visitors to extend their stay before and after events.

For Downtown Barrie, those benefits are expected to be significant.

With more than 300 businesses located within walking distance of the future stadium—including restaurants, cafés, pubs, retailers, hotels, entertainment venues, and professional services—the arrival of professional soccer represents an opportunity to generate year-round economic activity while reinforcing downtown as Barrie’s gathering place.

“This announcement is incredibly exciting for our downtown business community,” said Chris Gerrard, owner of The Queens Hotel and Director with the Downtown Barrie BIA. “Professional sports create an energy that extends far beyond the stadium gates. Visitors book hotel rooms, enjoy dinner before matches, meet friends afterward, and discover businesses they may never have visited otherwise. That’s the kind of sustained economic activity every downtown strives for, and we’re thrilled to welcome it to Barrie.”

The new stadium is also expected to complement the remarkable momentum already underway downtown, including new residential developments, expanded post-secondary campuses, investments in public spaces, and a growing calendar of festivals and cultural events. This stadium will establish a spectacular, distinct West End Gateway into Downtown Barrie.

Building More Than a Stadium

While the economic impact is substantial, the Downtown Barrie BIA believes the greatest legacy may be the sense of community the stadium creates.

Professional sports venues become gathering places where generations of families create traditions, young athletes dream bigger, neighbours connect, and visitors experience the unique personality of a city.

Beyond matchdays, the stadium’s ability to host concerts, festivals, youth sports, community celebrations, and cultural programming will ensure it remains active throughout the year, becoming one of Barrie’s great public gathering spaces.

“Great downtowns are built around places where people naturally come together,” said Craig Stevens, Executive Director of the Downtown Barrie BIA. “This stadium gives Barrie another incredible place to celebrate, connect, and create memories. Our vision is simple—we want Barrie MLS NEXT Pro to become the talk of the league. We want visiting teams to walk into Downtown Barrie and experience an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in MLS NEXT Pro. We want our supporters to fill the stands, our businesses to be packed, our streets alive before and after every match, and for players and fans alike to leave saying, ‘That was one of the most electric places we’ve ever played.’ That’s the opportunity in front of us.”

The BIA also sees the stadium as an important investment in Barrie’s youth, providing greater visibility for the sport, creating new pathways for aspiring athletes, and strengthening the city’s identity as a destination for sport, culture, and community life.

Today’s announcement builds on years of investment and collaboration between municipal leaders, community partners, local businesses, educational institutions, and residents who have collectively helped position Downtown Barrie as one of Ontario’s fastest-growing urban destinations.

With professional soccer now joining that momentum, the future has never looked brighter.

About the Downtown Barrie BIA

The Downtown Barrie Business Improvement Area (BIA) represents more than 300 businesses located in the heart of Barrie. As the voice of the downtown business community, the BIA works to strengthen the economic vitality, cultural identity, and long-term prosperity of the city core through destination marketing, signature events, public realm improvements, business advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Together with its members and community partners, the Downtown Barrie BIA is committed to creating a welcoming, vibrant, and thriving downtown for residents, visitors, and future generations.

About Toronto FC II and Barrie MLS NEXT Pro

Toronto FC II is the professional development club of Toronto FC and competes in MLS NEXT Pro, providing the final step in the club’s player development pathway. Beginning in 2028, Toronto FC II will relocate to Barrie and compete as Barrie MLS NEXT Pro, continuing its mission of developing elite players while inspiring the next generation of athletes throughout Simcoe County and Central Ontario.

About MLS NEXT Pro

Launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT to MLS first teams. MLS NEXT Pro celebrates its fifth season in 2026 with 30 teams. For more information, visit mlsnextpro.com.

About Barrie Stadium Group

Barrie MLS NEXT Pro and Barrie Stadium Group were founded by a group of Barrie business leaders and philanthropists committed to investing in the future of their community. The organization is developing and operating a landmark downtown stadium and community hub with the City of Barrie, while bringing Barrie’s first professional sports franchise to the city through MLS NEXT Pro.