An Inter Miami-Toronto FC match held at the newly renovated BMO Field on Saturday served as a crucial preparatory event for the upcoming FIFA World Cup next month. The matchup drew a sellout crowd of 44,828 fans, with approximately 17,000 spectators seated in the newly constructed grandstand that was appended to accommodate the tournament's requirements. Inter Miami triumphed with a score of 4-2 over Toronto FC.
Trevor Ellis, a longtime Toronto FC supporter, took a moment before the game to survey the view from the top of the north grandstand. "It’s almost the perfect seat, like the front row and the back row are both really cool in that way," Ellis remarked. "You can see the entire pitch. The sightline is pretty good. You’ve got the skyline in the background and the lake—it looks beautiful."
Despite the sold-out attendance, a few thousand seats remained empty at kickoff as fans trickled into the west-end venue located near the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Many attendees faced delays due to long lines and fencing around the stadium’s perimeter as preparations for Canada’s World Cup opener on June 12 against Bosnia-Herzegovina continued.
The grandstand's concourse area provided a temporary outdoor feel, and outside the venue, the path to the stadium appeared unfinished. "I think the structure had to look better than this, especially when you have people coming from other countries and comparing it to other stadiums in North America and everywhere, in Mexico," commented Jaime Garcia of Toronto. "I think the structure from the outside looks scary, to be honest with you."
The recent addition of scaffolding-style grandstands was necessary to increase capacity to meet FIFA's minimum requirements. The grey flip-down seats added a distinct contrast to the predominant red of the existing seating area. Although the steps provide solid grip, spectators seated in the upper levels will certainly feel the incline affecting their quadriceps and glute muscles throughout the match.
The match was played under pleasant weather conditions, with temperatures around 14°C and partly sunny skies, making it an enjoyable day for Major League Soccer. "I think this will actually be a good preview of the World Cup because of the types of fans," Ellis noted, emphasizing the diverse array of attendees compared to a typical TFC game. "You’ve got a real variety of people who are different types of soccer fans, young and old. It’s kind of a taste of what the World Cup might be like."
Toronto is slated to host a total of six matches throughout the tournament, which runs until July 2, and will take place concurrently with co-hosting nations United States and Mexico.
Ellis expressed concerns regarding the heat that fans may face, particularly in the uncovered metal stands. "It’s definitely going to be hot where it’s uncovered, and people are going to get wet if it rains. There’s nowhere to go. But you just have to commit to the experience," he stated. Furthermore, if inclement weather were to arise during the tournament, it could pose difficulties. Ellis acknowledged the potential for vibrant and energetic crowds, which could lead to increased anxiety for grandstand spectators but still regarded it as part of the overall experience.
“I think it’d be cool. I trust it,” he said, drawing parallels to the lively atmosphere often found in stadiums in Argentina, where the very structures seem to vibrate with the energy of the crowd. Nevertheless, fans seated along the edges of the grandstands may face partially obstructed views from the video screens positioned near each corner of the field. For instance, spectators seated closest to the railing could not see one corner of the pitch clearly.
BMO Field is set to be renamed Toronto Stadium for the duration of the World Cup, which remains the smallest venue among the 16 host cities. The tournament's final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking a significant event in the world of soccer.
