Olympic Stadium interior gets full renovation, may host Céline Dion opening concert in 2028

Quebec's government has approved a full interior renovation of Olympic Stadium, with work expected to be completed by 2028 when the venue is set to reopen.

The project, approved by Quebec's cabinet, will be carried out in three phases. The lower bowl seating will be reconfigured into a rectangular layout to better accommodate football and soccer, with seats brought roughly 30 metres closer to the field on each side. A new premium tier of suites, terraces, and open spaces will be added to generate revenue. Washrooms and food concessions will also be updated.

The government has not yet disclosed the cost of the renovations.

The interior upgrades are a precondition for the stadium's future viability. CF Montréal signaled to the Quebec government earlier this year that the interior renovations were non-negotiable for the MLS club to consider moving in. The Alouettes are in similar discussions. No leases have been signed yet, but talks with both teams have progressed while the government's decision was pending.

The Parc Olympique already has options in place for four major events in 2028, each targeting crowds of 50,000 or more. There are also preliminary discussions underway about a potential opening concert with Céline Dion, according to reports. Dion, who has largely stayed off the stage in recent years due to Stiff Person Syndrome, performed at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony in 2024. She performed at Olympic Stadium once before, in 1984, during Pope John Paul II's visit to Montreal.