If Major League Baseball expands, the return of the Montreal Expos will inevitably become part of the conversation. But before nostalgia takes over, the real question is practical: where would they play?

My goal in looking at potential sites is simple — fairness to the entire metropolitan region. Any future stadium should work not just for downtown Montreal, but also for fans coming from the West Island, Laval, and the South Shore, while minimizing friction for the corporate clientele that still largely works downtown.

With 81 home games per season, accessibility matters enormously. The right location should maximize walk-in attendance from nearby neighborhoods while also balancing public transit access, parking availability, and regional connectivity.

The stadium itself must also reflect lessons learned from the past. This would be a baseball-first facility with a retractable roof. Since the current approach being discussed does not involve taxpayer funding, there is no reason not to build it properly from day one and avoid repeating past mistakes.

One reality must also be stated clearly: Olympic Stadium (the Big O) will not be accepted by Major League Baseball as a long-term solution. I am not speaking on MLB’s behalf, but this is what multiple advisors connected to the league have conveyed to me directly. I wish the government well and do not criticize their decision to continue to invest in the architectural marvel (issues aside, it is a nice building) and when we bring back the Olympics, it will be an incredible asset, but for baseball and MLB, the baseline assumption is that MLB would not accept a proposal contingent on the Expos playing at the Big O.

Introducing TEEMS

This was never going to simply be about a baseball club + stadium, but an entire ecosystem.

Between the Stadium and 4C, the focus will be on the TEEMS model we have developed— Technology, Entertainment, Experiences, Media, and Sports. At the center of such a district would be a modern 4C featuring immersive experiences: technology showcases from companies like Sony, Xbox/PlayStation, or Samsung, massive interactive screens, food innovation, and even experiential attractions such as a live beer-making process tied to Montreal’s brewing heritage.

In other words, the stadium itself would be only one component of a broader urban destination — a place people visit year-round, not just on game day.

The financing model being discussed is also different from the past. Private equity funds could finance 100% of the stadium and surrounding infrastructure, but anchor investors strongly favor including the ballpark within a broader entertainment district because it creates a predictable and consistent revenue stream. I have also re-sequenced things by starting with the 4C Creative, Cultural, Commercial Campus which will house
– a museum honouring and exporting Montreal’s icons and history,
– a pavilion showcasing and importing our strategic Media and Technology partners’ legacies, histories, and contributions (eg. the SONY Walkman)
– the Academy & Study of Entrepreneurship (ASE) which I have been developing and intended to house at WatchMojo’s offices at Maison Alcan, but which will shift to 4C. The school’s entrepreneurial focus initially envisioned a “creator/storyteller” track, it will now include a second specialization for athletes who used to move into coaching and broadcasting but now increasingly view themselves as entrepreneurs and investors. I already advise athletes in this sphere, so this will be offered not just to Expos and MLB players, but all athletes around the world who could attend in their off-season.
– and ideally, a Sphere.

We will then, upon learning of MLB’s decision build a baseball stadium, or a mixed use stadium that could serve as home for (at least) twelve (12) monthly events which could include:
– Canadian and American college football
– professional NFL football
– European soccer matchups (who count PE firms we are in discussion as investors)
– track & field showcase events (100 meter, 200 meter and 4×100 meter races)
– Aussie Rules football
– rugby
– auto racing
– boxing / UFC
– cricket
– outdoor international hockey
– outdoor professional hockey if the NHL and le Group CH were to show interest
If local stakeholders like MLS’ CF Montreal, the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes and Evenko wish to use the venue, that would be additional uses throughout the year.

Below are some of the most frequently discussed sites for a stadium or major sports and entertainment district.

Peel Basin / Bridge Street Corridor

Adjacent to the Lachine Canal, the Peel Basin area—particularly near the intersection of Bridge and Mill Streets—offers one of the most intriguing possibilities. The site would provide dramatic views of the canal and the Montreal skyline, creating a distinctive visual backdrop for baseball.

The area is already undergoing transformation, with Griffintown’s rapid growth, canal-side redevelopment, and improved transit connections nearby. Access to major roads and proximity to the REM network could make it one of the most transit-friendly stadium locations in the city.

A stadium here could anchor a dense mixed-use district combining housing, entertainment, and waterfront public space, helping continue the transformation of Montreal’s southwest into a vibrant urban hub.

Old Port / Clock Tower Waterfront

Few cities in the world could match the spectacle of a ballpark overlooking the St. Lawrence River. A stadium in the Old Port, near Rue de la Commune or the Jacques-Cartier Pier, would place baseball within one of Montreal’s most historic and scenic districts.

Fans could walk along cobblestone streets, enjoy views of the river, and experience baseball within a setting already beloved by tourists and locals alike.

While the historic nature of the Old Port presents planning challenges, the opportunity to integrate a stadium into a waterfront cultural district—with public spaces, events, and festivals—would be unique in North American sports.

Molson Brewery Waterfront (possibly already spoken for)

Another compelling waterfront option sits just east of downtown: the Molson Brewery redevelopment area, though this spot may already be spoken for (which would not be the end of the world, as it may be a bit too to the East relative to downtown).

For centuries this site was synonymous with Montreal’s brewing heritage. As the brewery gradually relocates operations, the riverfront land becomes one of the most valuable redevelopment opportunities in the city.

With proximity to downtown, transit, and major highways, the Molson lands could evolve into a mixed-use waterfront district combining residential development, entertainment venues, and potentially a signature stadium overlooking the river.

Blue Bonnets / The Hippodrome

The former Blue Bonnets racetrack remains one of the largest undeveloped sites on the island of Montreal.

Located near the Namur metro station and the Décarie Expressway, the site benefits from excellent transportation access while offering the scale needed for an ambitious project. It would work for West Islanders and residents of Laval, but be challenging for those in the south shore and a bit out of the way for downtown workers.

City plans have long envisioned the Hippodrome becoming a new residential neighborhood with parks and mixed-use development. Integrating a modern stadium into such a district could revive the site’s sporting heritage while helping catalyze the broader redevelopment that has stalled for years.

Jarry Park

For many Montrealers, Jarry Park is where baseball memories live.

It was the original home of the Expos and still hosts professional baseball today. With its existing stadium infrastructure and strong neighborhood identity, the park remains part of the conversation.

A modernized mid-size stadium could potentially preserve the historic character of the site while upgrading the fan experience. However, the constraints of the surrounding residential neighborhood make expansion more complicated than some of the larger redevelopment sites.

Bonaventure / Cité Multimédia Corridor

Another area often discussed in broader development conversations is the Bonaventure corridor entering downtown.

Major redevelopment is already underway, transforming the highway landscape into a more urban boulevard surrounded by tech, media, and creative industries. While space constraints may limit a full stadium project, the corridor could support convention, entertainment, and innovation clusters tied to major city events.

Parc Jean-Drapeau

Montreal already possesses a massive event-ready site in Parc Jean-Drapeau.

The island park hosts global events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix and Osheaga, proving its ability to accommodate massive crowds. Obviously this presents challenges but creative solutions like the use of a water taxi network between the Old Port, downtown, West Island and the South Shore could further unlock the islands’ potential as a central event hub. I have always looked at equations and found ways to flip “weaknesses” into opportunities and threats,” and during the summer at least, adopting water taxis could create incredible experiences that would mitigate the seeming challenges. But, despite all of that, this is not ideal for a 12-month calendar.

While building a permanent stadium here would be controversial due to the park’s status, the islands remain an important part of Montreal’s event infrastructure.

Quartier DIX30

Across the river in Brossard, Quartier DIX30 has evolved into the South Shore’s largest commercial and entertainment district.

With REM access and highway connections, the area already attracts visitors from across the region. While a stadium here would place baseball outside Montreal proper, it could support a large-scale entertainment complex serving the broader metropolitan area. I personally think DIX30 is one of Montreal’s best commercial experiences, it in undeniably unfair to residents of both Laval and the West Island.

Montreal Has the Land

Montreal has no shortage of potential sites. Waterfront land. Industrial corridors ready for redevelopment. Historic parks tied to baseball memories. Vast undeveloped districts waiting for a catalyst.

Each site offers different advantages: skyline views, transit connections, tourism appeal, or development scale.

Ultimately, the real question may not be whether Montreal has a place for baseball.

It’s whether Montreal still has the ambition to think big again.

Some of this research drafts off Elias Makos’ excellent previous work. Now, without further ado, the results based on 1,000 responses to our survey.

À l’avenir, au lieu de proposer des sondages uniquement en anglais ou des sondages séparés en anglais et en français, je veillerai à offrir des sondages bilingues. Tout sondage uniquement en anglais reflète simplement mon rythme de travail et non un manque de respect.

And as a reward for early supporters: SIGN UP for eventual season’s tickets HERE.