Blue Jays showcase lower-bowl renovations at Rogers Centre ahead of 2024 home-opener

The so-called outfield district got the love last year at Rogers Centre. Now it's time for a renovated 100-level seating area, new-look dugouts and fresh turf at the home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Team brass showed off the latest changes to the downtown stadium on Thursday with a media tour that showcased the modernized lower bowl.

"What we really focused on is reimagining this bowl," said Marnie Starkman, the team's executive vice-president of business operations. "Changing the seating bowl, making sure that people have a little more width, some more legroom, some cupholders, and just thinking about a modern ballpark."

The latest renovation is part of the transition from a multi-purpose stadium to a ballpark-first venue, no easy task for an aging domed stadium without natural grass.

WATCH | Take a look at the newly-renovated Rogers Centre

The first phase of the renovations was completed for the start of the 2023 season. It featured new bars, social spaces, balconies and new seats in the outfield and 500-level sections.

There were also significant field-level changes with raised bullpens and a new outfield fence with adjusted dimensions.

The latest renovations forced the Blue Jays to start the 2024 campaign with a 10-game road trip so the finishing touches could be applied. The changes were immediately noticeable upon entry into the 35-year-old facility.

There are premium seating areas and fans are closer to the field of play. The sections — particularly down the lines approaching the foul screens — seem much more on top of the action.

The slope is particularly evident near the corner areas where the walls have been heightened considerably. The dugouts are farther away from home plate and the backstop has been