Jacques Tanguay voices strong support for Quebec City Canadian Football League expansion with stadium proposal key

Support for a potential Canadian Football League expansion franchise in Quebec City may be gaining momentum after influential businessman Jacques Tanguay signalled a notable shift in his stance on the idea.

Tanguay, widely recognised as the driving financial force behind the rise of the Laval Rouge et Or football programme, revealed this week that he would strongly support the arrival of a professional CFL team in Quebec City — but only if the proposal included major stadium infrastructure.

Speaking about the prospect, Tanguay stressed that a suitable venue would be essential for any realistic expansion plans. While enthusiastic about the idea in principle, he argued that current facilities fall well short of what is needed to sustain a professional football franchise. He pointed to issues beyond seating capacity, including stadium amenities such as washrooms, hospitality services and corporate suites, insisting modern CFL venues now operate at a significantly higher standard.

Using examples from across the league, Tanguay compared existing facilities in Quebec to more advanced stadiums in cities like Regina, suggesting there remains a substantial gap between current infrastructure and what would be required for a successful expansion team.

As president of the Rouge et Or board since helping establish the programme in 1996, Tanguay has played a major role in turning Université Laval’s football operation into one of the most successful in Canadian university sport. Under his leadership and financial backing, the team has captured a record 12 Vanier Cup championships while building one of the strongest football brands in the country.

Because of his influence in both football and business circles, Tanguay’s support has long been considered vital for any serious CFL expansion effort in Quebec City. In previous years, however, he had appeared sceptical about the feasibility of the project, even suggesting in 2023 that a lack of private-sector investment made the idea unrealistic.

His latest comments, though, appeared noticeably more optimistic, even if he dismissed suggestions that expanding Stade Telus could provide a practical solution. The current Rouge et Or stadium, which officially holds just under 13,000 spectators, has hosted larger crowds through standing-room arrangements but still falls far short of what would typically be expected for a CFL franchise.

Tanguay also argued that physically expanding the venue would be extremely difficult due to surrounding infrastructure. He explained that nearby buildings severely limit opportunities for growth, making a large-scale redevelopment impractical. While a modest increase in capacity could potentially be achieved, he questioned whether adding lower-quality seating would justify the investment required.

Interest in Quebec City as a CFL destination has remained alive in recent years, particularly after former commissioner Randy Ambrosie identified it as a possible expansion option following the collapse of plans for the Atlantic Schooners in Halifax. Current commissioner Stewart Johnston has also continued to mention Quebec City as a long-term possibility, though league officials appear to be taking a cautious approach toward future expansion plans.