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As the finishing touches are placed on the revitalized Richardson Stadium, Queen’s Athletics and the Kingston community have a new home to call their own. On Saturday, Sept. 17, fans will fill the new stadium for the first time as the Queen’s Gaels football team hosts the Western Mustangs – the feature event in a weekend-long celebration of athletics and community. 

“The new Richardson Stadium is a state-of-the-art facility which will benefit not only student-athletes, but the Queen’s and Kingston communities as a whole,” says Queen’s Principal Daniel Woolf. “This exceptional stadium would not have been possible without the generous support of countless donors, particularly Stu and Kim Lang and the Richardson Family. Richardson Stadium will offer an entirely new experience for fans of a wide range of sports, and I’m thrilled to see this tremendous venue open during Queen’s 175th anniversary celebrations.” 

Kickoff Weekend festivities

Saturday, Sept. 17

8 am - Collision at the Causeway football scrimmage – Local high school teams take part in a controlled scrimmage to start off their fall season.

12:30 pm - Grand Opening Ceremony begins, featuring the Parade of Champions

1 pm – Kickoff  
(Game broadcast live, coast-to-coast on City TV)

A family zone –with activities for fans of all ages, including face painting, stilt walkers and other entertainment – will be held at the north end of the East Concourse.

Sunday, Sept. 18

Kingston Community Soccer Day.

Kingston Clippers games at 10 am & 6:30 pm.

The Queen’s Gaels women’s and men’s soccer teams take the pitch for the first time in the new stadium, at 1 pm and 3:15 pm, respectively.  

Upon entering the stadium, fans will immediately note a number of new features designed to improve the game day experience. The grandstands have been brought closer to the field of play, improving sightlines from each of the stadium’s 8,000 seats and making fans feel like they’re part of the action. Fans will enter from the East side of the stadium and use the concourse around the top of the stadium to find their seats. Concession carts and other entertainment options will surround the upper concourse, adding to the game day experience.

“In addition to being a great home field for our student-athletes and teams, the new stadium represents an entirely new fan experience,” says Leslie Dal Cin, Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation, Queen’s University. “The seating configuration brings our fans much closer to the field and the improved sightlines will ensure that every fan has a great view of the action. Coupled with the new amenities and entertainment options around the stadium, Richardson Stadium will be one of the premier venues in Canadian university sports.” 

The stadium promotes a fun, safe and positive fan experience. There will be no access to the field for any spectator before, during or after games and events.  Any attempt to access the field will be responded to by security.

Revitalization plans began in March 2014 with the announcement of a $10 million pledge to the project from Queen’s alumni Stu and Kim Lang. That announcement was followed by news of a $5 million contribution from the Richardson Foundation. Other donors came forward, bringing the total amount raised to more than $17 million, with the university contributing $3 million for infrastructure support. A donor recognition wall will be unveiled at Richardson Stadium as part of homecoming celebrations. 

The construction of the stadium was a priority within Queen’s Initiative Campaign, which concluded this year. It is one of a number of efforts undertaken to enhance the university’s athletics and recreation facilities to promote the health and wellness of all students.