The Quebec government has approved a plan to renovate the interior of Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.

The approval comes as work continues on the construction and installation of the venue’s new permanent $870-million roof. In 2024, the province awarded a Pomerleau-Canam Group joint-venture a $729-million contract, taxes not included, to replace the 50-year-old stadium’s retractable cover with a new permanent roof. The province budgeted $870 million for the project with funds beyond the $729-million contract earmarked for other expenses.

The new roof and revamped interior are expected to help Montreal attract major sporting events and large concerts. Although it holds more than 50,000 seats, the facility known as the Big O did not host any FIFA men’s World Cup games this summer because the roof replacement was underway. The stadium is currently under a four-year closure while the construction work is being done.

The next phase of the renovation project will redesign seating to bring spectators closer to the field, add premium suites and reconfigure the lower bowl into a rectangular layout for football and soccer, with washrooms and food concessions will also being upgraded, according to The Canadian Press.

The government has not disclosed the cost of the interior renovation but has directed Olympic Park to negotiate private-sector contributions to help fund the seating and hospitality improvements. Both the roof replacement and interior renovations are expected to be completed by 2028.

The Quebec government previously determined that it would cost about $2 billion to demolish the 56,000-seat facility. The interior- renovation announcement coincided with the 50th anniversary of the opening ceremony of the 1976 Olympic Games.

“Today, we are taking another important step toward an Olympic Stadium built for the future. Right now, there is no other venue here capable of hosting more than 20,000 spectators for major international tours. Quebec deserves a modern facility to host those tours, as well as major sporting, cultural and entertainment events,” Tourism Minister Amélie Dionne said in a statement.

“Let’s not forget this is the only large covered stadium in Eastern Canada that can hold more than 50,000 people for major international [concert] tours. Given market interest in a modernized venue, our stadium has everything it needs to become a major driver of prosperity for Quebec.”

The project is expected to benefit Major League Soccer club CF Montreal, which will require a winter-capable home venue when the league adopts a winter schedule similar to those in European leagues in 2027. The MLS season currently runs between spring and late fall.

“This [interior-renovation project] marks an important milestone and reflects a commitment to providing the province of Quebec with sports and entertainment infrastructure that matches its ambitions,” CF Montreal said in a statement. “We commend the Government of Quebec and the Olympic Park for the work accomplished to date. … We remain convinced that a modern stadium is a key component in the continued growth and development of professional soccer in Montreal and across Quebec.”

The revamped interior and new roof could also benefit the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes, who currently play their home games at much smaller Percival Molson Memorial Stadium on the McGill University campus.

The Als moved permanently to the downtown stadium from the Big O following the 1998 season, after a schedule conflict with a U2 concert forced the team to relocate to the downtown venue temporarily. The club liked Molson Stadium’s cozy confines and central location and decided to stay there.

A new Olympic Stadium interior and roof could help the Als host more Grey Cups and other playoff games that draw large crowds. Montreal has not hosted a CFL championship game since 2008, when the Calgary Stampeders beat the Alouettes at Olympic Stadium.

At this point, it appears unlikely that the club will relocate permanently from its downtown digs to the cavernous Big O.

The Olympic Stadium’s new roof is intended to keep the facility open year-round, nearly triple gross revenue and provide a service life of about 50 years, while the revised interior should also enhance the stadium’s revenues and longevity.

Pictured: Interior of Montreal Olympic Stadium

Photo: Canam