[3] In 2009, the 2015 Pan American Games were awarded to the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton was selected to host soccer and track and field events.

[7][5][8] Then in 2012, the Pan-Am organizers indicated that they would be shifting their focus toward venues and "clusters" that could be used for multiple events, which might eliminate the need for a new stadium that would be used only for soccer.

The coffee beverage fast food chain was founded only a few blocks away from the stadium that originated in Hamilton some fifty years earlier.

[13] Completed in 2014, the stadium can expand to a potential capacity of up to more than 40,000 seats for special events (such as hosting a Grey Cup contest) in the future.

[14] The design of the new stadium also increased the width of the field to accommodate soccer games by meeting FIFA's international standards for soccer pitches; reoriented the playing field from east–west to a north–south orientation; increased the seat width and leg room/corridor space to make it one of the most spacious among Canadian sports venues; incorporated extensive wireless communications infrastructure and washroom facilities; as well as adding luxury boxes, and other modern amenities.

The City of Hamilton subsequently spent upwards of $2.5 million in fixes and safety repairs[16] including replacing rain-damaged television screens and faulty baby-changing tables, installing draft beer lines, improving ventilation, sealing leaky expansion joints and repairing faulty floor drains.

This group is led by businessman Bob Young, who serves as the chairman and is HSG's largest single shareholder, and also includes steel company Stelco, CEO Scott Mitchell, and Jim Lawson.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Forge FC are tenants of Tim Hortons Field and play their home games at the stadium.

Tim Hortons field has also played host to the other sporting events including ice hockey, rugby union and dirt biking (Nitro Circus), as well as music concerts.