The Blue Jays have made a big off-season move. That's right, cup holders are coming to some Rogers Centre seats
With the Toronto Blue Jays home opener just weeks away, the franchise is showcasing what changes fans can expect the next time they catch a game at Rogers Centre – and one may be worth raising a glass for…or really, the opposite.
On Monday, the franchise shared a peek of what the second phase in the $300-million facelift of the stadium currently looks like, and fans can expect cup holders to plop their beverages in when seated in the 100-level bowl.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
These renovations started soon after the Jays season abruptly ended in the American Wild Card Series in early October, where they have since torn down 29.5 million pounds of material to make way for the reimagined 100 level. A mountain of Rogers Centre’s plastic blue seats were found discarded at a scrapyard north of Toronto, as sources previously told CTV News Toronto they were not salvageable due to their age.
The field-level excavation also made way for new player facilities and premium clubs, located beneath the seats behind home plate.
“By completely rebuilding the 100-level seating bowl, we are introducing an authentic ballpark viewing experience, with sightlines designed specifically for fans to enjoy Blue Jays baseball,” Toronto Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro previously said in a news release.
On top of the added cup holders to these seats, the Jays said the seats will have more legroom with them being more appropriately “designed for baseball” – meaning pointed towards the infield, with improved sightlines and closer to the overall action.
There will also be accessible field-level seats with adaptable armrests, as well as new vantage points throughout the arena.
The upgrades are set to be completed right in time for the home opener on April 8, when the Jays take on the Seattle Mariners.
With files from CTV News Toronto's Phil Tsekouras
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau says he could have acted faster on immigration changes, blames 'bad actors'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government could have acted faster on reining in immigration programs, after blaming "bad actors" for gaming the system.
Apparent Taylor Swift ticket scam targets hundreds who claim to be out $300K
An apparent scam allegedly targeting roughly four hundred people, many of whom based out of Burlington, Ont., claim to be out approximately $300,000 in total after believing they were purchasing Taylor Swift tickets in Toronto, but never receiving them.
Biden authorizes Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles for deeper strikes inside Russia
U.S. President Joe Biden has authorized the use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike even deeper inside Russia, the latest easing of limitations meant to prevent the conflict from further spiraling, according to one U.S. official and three people familiar with the matter.
Canadian baby and toddler sleepwear recalled, risk of catching fire: Health Canada
Hundreds of organic baby- and toddler-sized rompers sold by an Ontario-based sustainable clothing company have been recalled over concerns they could catch fire and injure children, according to Health Canada.
Parliament on the road to an unprecedented confidence crisis, but there are off-ramps
If no political party is willing to say uncle, the drawn-out stalemate in the House of Commons is heading for an unprecedented situation that could amount to a tacit lack of confidence in the government, without anyone in Parliament casting a vote.
Doctors say RFK Jr.'s anti-Ozempic stance perpetuates stigma and misrepresents evidence
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to tackle high rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity as President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services. They’re goals that many in the public health world find themselves agreeing with — despite fearing what else the infamous anti-vaccine activist may do in the post.
Taylor Lautner hilariously reignites the Edward vs. Jacob debate from 'Twilight'
Actor Taylor Lautner is reviving the 'Twilight' saga love triangle debate of the late aughts in a very 2024 way.
Winnipeg man charged with biting police officer during investigation
Winnipeg police have charged a man after an officer was bit during an investigation earlier this year.
Dwayne Johnson's US$200 million+ Christmas pic opens to US$34.1 million
Moviegoers were not exactly feeling the Christmas spirit this weekend, or at least what 'Red One' was offering. The big budget, star-driven action comedy with Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans sold US$34.1 million in tickets in its first weekend in theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. It easily topped a box office populated mostly by holdovers.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Montreal
-
HIV and STI international screening week starts Monday
International Screening Week for HIV and STIs, which starts on Monday, advocates better access and encourages people at risk to go and get tested.
-
PQ open to abolishing Sante Quebec
A PQ government could abolish the Santé Québec agency, which the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) will set up on Dec. 1.
-
Activists plant ‘peace tree’ on McGill University campus in solidarity with Palestinians
Activists gathered on McGill University’s campus on Sunday to plant a tree in hopes of promoting peace “among all people.”
Ottawa
-
Ottawa family heartbroken after being scammed over $22K on Taylor Swift tickets
A few weeks ago, they learned the tickets they booked last August were never real.
-
Careless driving charge laid against Ottawa bus driver after Hwy. 417 crash
Ontario Provincial Police say an OC Transpo bus driver was charged with careless driving after a three-vehicle crash on Highway 417 in Ottawa.
-
Here's how you can watch CTV News at Six during tonight’s Grey Cup
You will still be able to watch CTV News at Six live today while the Grey Cup is on TSN and CTV.
Northern Ontario
-
Apparent Taylor Swift ticket scam targets hundreds who claim to be out $300K
An apparent scam allegedly targeting roughly four hundred people, many of whom based out of Burlington, Ont., claim to be out approximately $300,000 in total after believing they were purchasing Taylor Swift tickets in Toronto, but never receiving them.
-
Driver airlifted to hospital after Manitoulin Island motorcycle crash
A motorcycle driver who sustained serious injuries in a crash on Manitoulin Island on Thursday evening was airlifted to Sudbury hospital.
-
Police in Canada collected wreckage after object shot down over Lake Huron
Newly released documents show the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collected wreckage after an unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron in February of last year.
Kitchener
-
Waterloo Regional Police launch Festive RIDE campaign
The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) launched their Festive RIDE program on Friday, which continued through the weekend.
-
Kitchener-Waterloo Santa Claus parade returns for another year
Kids and the young-at-heart lined Weber Street to catch a glimpse at old saint nick as the Lions Club of Kitchener held it’s annual Santa Claus Parade Saturday morning.
-
One person injured in crash at The Boardwalk
One person has been taken to hospital after a crash at The Boardwalk shopping centre in Kitchener.
London
-
Poplar Hill Lions Club reaches $80,000 fundraising goal for wheelchair accessible swing
With a dream of bringing a wheelchair-accessible swing to Poplar Hill, Rick Castle started collecting bottles and cans.
-
Two hospitalized in assault in Tilsonburg
Police say that at roughly 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning, they were called to an address on Dogwood Drive in Tilsonburg for report of an assault.
-
Two people killed in boating accident near Walpole Island First Nation
OPP have confirmed that two people were pronounced dead at the scene of a single vessel collision, which took place at 5:55 p.m. Saturday evening.
Windsor
-
Two people killed in boating accident near Walpole Island First Nation
OPP have confirmed that two people were pronounced dead at the scene of a single vessel collision, which took place at 5:55 p.m. Saturday evening.
-
St. Clair wins and loses on the court against Fanshawe
A pair of games on Saturday afternoon between Windsor and London’s college basketball teams saw each school walking home with a victory and a loss under their belt.
-
One person sent to hospital following Belle River incident
One person was sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following an incident in Belle River on Saturday.
Barrie
-
Two arrested in ‘violent’ overnight incidents
Police in Barrie are investigating what is being described as a series of ‘violent’ incidents that occurred early Saturday morning.
-
Man charged after allegedly driving across OPP detachment lawn
A driver is facing impaired driving charges after allegedly driving across the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment’s lawn in Midland Saturday evening.
-
MPP Saunderson acclaimed as Simcoe–Grey candidate
The Progressive Conservative (PC) Party of Ontario announced on Sunday that MPP Brian Saunderson has been acclaimed as the party’s candidate for Simcoe–Grey in the next provincial general election
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg teenager charged after carrying machete
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with possessing a weapon after he was seen carrying a machete early Saturday morning.
-
Vacant Alfred Avenue house sees second fire in four months
A vacant two-storey house in Winnipeg’s William Whyte neighbourhood was ablaze Saturday for the second time in four months.
-
Manitobans energized over CFL's Grey-Cup bound Blue Bombers, high-flying Jets
Oh, to be a Manitoba sports fan these days, with the Blue Bombers back yet again in the CFL Grey Cup -- and now the NHL's high-flying Jets are stomping all comers and breaking records.
Atlantic
-
Heritage lost: Halifax has lost 87 per cent of its heritage buildings, new study says
A new project mapping Halifax's architectural heritage shows the city has lost most of its historical structures.
-
Prince Edward Island classic “Anne of Green Gables” gets an interactive update
Fans of “Anne of Green Gables” have a new, interactive version of the novel to enjoy.
-
RCMP in Nova Scotia searching for missing boy
Richmond county RCMP is asking the public for help locating 11-year-old Amare Peck. He was last seen on Chapel Island, N.S. Sunday morning.
N.L.
-
Seniors face unique hurdles in finding love. These Canadians want to help.
The four women sipping tea around an antique wooden table in rural Newfoundland said they weren't looking for much in a mate: kindness, humour, a good sense of fun and, ideally, a full set of teeth.
-
English soccer game did not deliver such a big bounce for N.L. after all: province
Newfoundland and Labrador's return on investment for sponsoring a professional English soccer team was not quite as rosy as previously claimed.
-
Newfoundland man electrocuted by downed power line, two women injured
Police in Newfoundland say a man was electrocuted Saturday by a downed power wire about 10 kilometres north of St. John's, N.L.
Edmonton
-
Danielle Smith echoes Doug Ford's concerns about Mexico trade, hopes for 'carve out'
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is echoing concerns about Mexico that were expressed earlier this week by Ontario's premier, saying she hopes Canada can get a "carve-out" from import tariffs that president-elect Donald Trump is promising.
-
Argonauts vs. Blue Bombers: 111th Grey Cup by the numbers
The Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers battle for the Grey Cup on Sunday.
-
Police probe man's death in Clearwater County as homicide
A man's death in Alberta's Clearwater County is being investigated by police as a homicide.
Calgary
-
Alberta likely setting record for warmest fall throughout the province, according to expert
Calgarians enjoyed another warm weekend as temperatures hovered above six degrees, prompting one climatologist to look to the record books.
-
’This is a good building’: Springsteen says so long to Saddledome during Calgary concert finale
The Boss had a few warm words for the Saddledome Saturday night right before signing off on a two-and-a-half hour concert that left around 19,000 fans wondering how a 75-year-old superstar can still be firing on all cylinders at this stage of his career.
-
Argonauts vs. Blue Bombers: 111th Grey Cup by the numbers
The Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers battle for the Grey Cup on Sunday.
Regina
-
Suspect tasered after allegedly assaulting officer: Regina police
The Regina Police Service (RPS) is reporting that officers used a taser during the arrest of a break-in suspect, after the man allegedly attacked an officer during the encounter.
-
Regina's Santa Claus parade features Mr. and Mrs. Claus
Regina's Albert Street was awash in holiday cheer Sunday afternoon as the city celebrated its annual Santa Claus Parade. Hundreds of spectators lined up to get a look at the floats, performances, and of course, Kris Kringle himself.
-
'Birth of a nation': Annual Louis Riel Vigil Walk takes place in Regina
Members from Métis Nation Saskatchewan along with residents paid tribute to the leader of the Métis people Saturday at the 15th annual Louis Riel Vigil Walk.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon sudden death deemed homicide: Police
Saskatoon police say the sudden death reported Friday evening is now deemed as the city’s 13th homicide.
-
Several collisions reported following freezing rain in Saskatoon
Saskatoon police responded to several collisions involving multiple vehicles Saturday morning following freezing rain and icy road conditions in Saskatoon.
-
Tim Hortons kicks off cookie campaign with wheelchair basketball
At Ecole Canadienne-Francaise the Sask. Wheelchair Sports Association is making cookies. This is to kick off the annual Tim Hortons cookie campaign.
Vancouver
-
2 youth stabbed in Surrey; RCMP appeal for witnesses
Mounties in Surrey are appealing for information and witnesses after two boys – 11 and 13 years old – were stabbed last week.
-
B.C. charities worried Canada Post strike will affect fundraising efforts
Some B.C. charities and not-for-profits say they are worried the Canada Post strike will jeopardize their year-end fundraising efforts.
-
Eby says new B.C. cabinet built around 'kitchen table' issues: affordability, homes
Premier David Eby says the British Columbia cabinet he introduces Monday will be tasked with focusing on issues voters strongly told the government they are most concerned about: affordability, health care, community safety, housing and the economy.
Vancouver Island
-
Eby says new B.C. cabinet built around 'kitchen table' issues: affordability, homes
Premier David Eby says the British Columbia cabinet he introduces Monday will be tasked with focusing on issues voters strongly told the government they are most concerned about: affordability, health care, community safety, housing and the economy.
-
Co-owner of B.C. boat can't gift it to ex, must keep paying shared expenses, CRT rules
A former couple who bought a boat together took their post-breakup fight over its expenses to B.C.'s small claims tribunal.
-
B.C. Shania Twain impersonator leads documentary on the booming business of tribute bands
Swathed in a black, sequined catsuit, with a luxe cowboy hat tipped to the crowd, you could be forgiven, in a certain light, for mistaking Michelle Reid for the real deal.
