A new stadium at the Wanderers Grounds would generate $114.7 million in total economic activity for Nova Scotia, adding to the $83.3 million in economic impact the Wanderers have already generated since the club’s first season. That’s according to an economic-impact assessment conducted by Halifax-based ATN Strategies.
The assessment found that Wanderers home matches draw fans from outside Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) to the downtown core, with 54% of fan spending downtown on matchday coming from people living outside HRM—41% of that coming from people living outside Nova Scotia.
During the 2025 season, Halifax Wanderers home matches added $2.6 million in business for downtown Halifax bars and restaurants. The report indicated that a new stadium with increased seating and event capacity would generate $3.9 million per year in incremental fan spending at downtown businesses.
“This report validates what we have always known, which is that the revitalization of the Wanderers Grounds has had a tremendous economic impact,” Halifax Wanderers Founder and Managing Partner Derek Martin said. “An enhanced stadium on the site will exponentially increase our impact both economically and socially, all without HRM taxpayers needing to foot the bill.”
The Wanderers Grounds has been Halifax’s historic gathering place since the original Halifax Wanderers (Wanderers Amateur Athletic Club) were established in 1882. The sports field where the current Wanderers and Halifax Tides professional soccer teams play has hosted numerous sporting events, including baseball, rugby, cricket and soccer. Each year, over 100,000 people come through the gates for matches and events, visit local businesses, and contribute to HRM's vibrancy.
Events at the Wanderers Grounds draw local, national, and international audiences to downtown Halifax, with marquee matches such as international soccer and rugby played before sold-out crowds and broadcast live on television.
In September, the Halifax Wanderers presented a proposal to HRM Council for a permanent stadium at the Wanderers Grounds. Under this proposal, the Wanderers would fully fund the stadium's construction, providing HRM residents with a year-round sports and entertainment venue and 5,000 hours of annual community use.
The full report and more information about the Halifax Wanderers proposal for a permanent stadium at the Wanderers Grounds and a community sports hub in Dartmouth are available at hfxwanderersfc.ca/stadium.