Stadium–Chinatown station
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Vancouver , Canada |
Stadium–Chinatown (previously known simply as Stadium) is an elevated stop on the Expo Line within Metro Vancouver's SkyTrain rapid transit network. Situated in Vancouver, British Columbia, it marks the eastern portal of the Dunsmuir Tunnel and ranks among the four Expo Line stations that serve Downtown Vancouver.
Positioned next to BC Place Stadium and the historic Vancouver Chinatown, the station also accommodates TransLink's lost property office.
History
Commissioned in 1985 as Stadium alongside the initial SkyTrain launch, its architectural design was crafted by the Austrian firm Architektengruppe U-Bahn. Bearing the name of BC Place Stadium, it was instrumental during Vancouver's Expo 86 world's fair. The addition of "Chinatown" to its name occurred in 2004 to emphasize its proximity to the adjacent historic Chinatown neighbourhood.
Throughout Expo 86, the station enabled passenger transfers between the fairgrounds and the Canadian Pavilion at Waterfront station via a dedicated shuttle operating on a third platform. This platform and track, now retired from routine service post-Expo 86, are currently utilized for training, storage, special occasions, and managing crowds during events at BC Place.
An underground walkway beneath Beatty Street was constructed with future expansion in mind but was closed after no connecting development materialized; since 1991, this space has been repurposed as TransLink's lost property office. The staircase on the west side was sealed and covered with concrete to preserve potential for future reopening.
Initially serving as an emergency exit until 1988, the entrance at Expo Boulevard / Abbott Street was enclosed and opened in 1989 to provide a second access point due to accessibility limitations from False Creek. Until its relocation to Waterfront station in September 2022, TransLink operated a Compass customer service centre within this station.
Services
Nearby landmarks include Rogers Arena and BC Place Stadium, venues hosting events for teams such as the Vancouver Canucks, BC Lions, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, alongside other major occasions. Following events at BC Place or Rogers Arena, high passenger volumes necessitate fare collection by TransLink staff onsite, replacing the earlier proof-of-payment system employed before implementing Compass cards. The Queen Elizabeth Theatre and downtown campus of Vancouver Community College are also situated within walking distance.
The Chinatown district lies northeast of Taylor and Keefer streets. Close to the station at Abbott and Keefer are the International Village shopping complex—popularly called "Tinseltown"—and the Chinatown branch of T & T Supermarket.
Entrances
- The Beatty Street entrance , located at the western extremity of the platforms, offers full accessibility and serves both BC Place Stadium and downtown Vancouver. An elevator links street level with concourse, train platforms, and restricted areas.
- The Keefer Place entrance , adjacent to the Lost Property Office on the concourse shared with Beatty Street, provides access to Chinatown. Signage here incorporates English alongside traditional Chinese characters, displaying "Stadium–Chinatown Station ". This is unique as the sole station officially identified in a language other than English.
- The Expo Boulevard entrance at the eastern end caters to Rogers Arena visitors. It lacks elevators and escalators; wheelchair users can reach this entrance through elevators in nearby residential buildings via a longer route. This entry does not permit access to platform 3.
Transit connections
- Bus stops for local and suburban routes are situated close to Hamilton Street and Dunsmuir Street, approximately two blocks west of the Beatty Street entrance:
- 5 Robson
- 6 Davie
- 17 Oak
- 240 Lynn Valley
- 241 Upper Lonsdale (available during peak hours)
- 246 Highland
- 247 Upper Capilano (peak hours only)
- 257 Horseshoe Bay (express service)
- N15 Cambie Night Bus
- N24 Lynn Valley Night Bus
- Community shuttle services operating in north False Creek can be accessed along Expo Boulevard and Abbott Street near the Expo Boulevard entrance:
- 23 English Bay
- 23 Main Street Station