🔥 Trending MLS and Toronto FC II Set to Relocate to Barrie: What You Need to Know

Toronto FC II, the MLS NEXT Pro affiliate of Major League Soccer's Toronto FC, is set to relocate to Barrie, Ontario, beginning with the 2028-2029 season ¹². This move is part of a significant partnership involving the City of Barrie, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), MLS NEXT Pro, and the Barrie Stadium Group ¹.

New Downtown Stadium in Barrie

A key component of this relocation is the construction of a brand new, purpose-built soccer-specific stadium in downtown Barrie ²³⁵. This new venue will serve as the permanent home for Toronto FC II ⁴.

Stadium Details

• Capacity: The stadium is planned to have a seating capacity of 3,500 ³⁵⁸.
• Location: It will be situated at the former BCC site, specifically at Bradford Street and Dunlop West in downtown Barrie ⁵.
• Investment: Plans for the stadium unveil a significant investment, with reports indicating a cost of $26 million ⁵.
• Design: The venue is designed to be one of the most iconic small soccer stadiums ⁵.

Impact and Significance

The relocation of Toronto FC II to Barrie and the development of a new stadium are anticipated to have several positive impacts:

• Professional Soccer in Barrie: This partnership will bring professional soccer to the heart of Barrie, offering residents access to high-level competition in the MLS NEXT Pro league, which is the professional development league directly below Major League Soccer ¹⁴⁶.
• Economic and Community Development: The project is seen as a "game-changing deal" for Barrie, expected to boost the local economy and provide a new community hub for sports and entertainment ⁴⁵.
• Youth Development: The move will provide a dedicated home for Toronto FC II, which plays a crucial role in developing future talent for Toronto FC's first team ⁶. Canada Soccer has also acknowledged the new stadium as a significant development for the region ⁸.

The official announcement of this landmark partnership took place at Meridian Place, with representatives from MLSE, the City of Barrie, and the Barrie Stadium Group in attendance ⁶.