Latest news with #BMOField
CTV News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
BMO Field is opening its pitch to fans for the first time
TFC is giving fans a chance to play one hour long matches in what its calling 'TFC Open Pitch' on July 27. Have you ever wanted to take the pitch at BMO Field? The home of Toronto FC is inviting fans to play on its pitch ahead of renovations planned for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. TFC is giving fans a chance to play one hour long matches in what its calling 'TFC Open Pitch' on July 27. Lucky fans who are selected will have the chance to experience an 'authentic player experience' according to a press release. TFC says this will include 'game presentation elements', 'team branding on the scoreboard' and access to the visitor change room. 'BMO Field has seen some of soccer's biggest talents from around the world take its pitch and will continue this legacy as we prepare to host six World Cup games next summer.' Chris Shewfelt, a Toronto FC vice president said, adding that the club is 'thrilled to add TFC fans to this list of meaningful appearances.' The opening slot of TFC Open Pitch will be given to children under 12. Afterwards adult fans can sign up to play on the pitch in teams of fifteen. A lottery system will be used to determine which fan teams are given the chance to play. The announcement comes ahead of Toronto hosting six World Cup games in summer 2026. BMO Field will be getting a $146 million overhaul ahead of the international soccer competition, including a temporary boost in seating capacity to 45,000.
National Post
21-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Toronto FC opening BMO Field to fans for pick-up match
Toronto FC is set to host a different type of match. Article content The club announced Monday that select fans will be invited to take the pitch on July 27 from 3-6 p.m. for TFC Open PItch, 'where fans will be invited to sign up for the chance to participate in a one-hour match on the iconic pitch TFC calls home.' Article content Article content It will happen the day before BMO Field starts to be renovated for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will feature six matches at the stadium. Article content The club said 'selected participants will receive an authentic player experience, including the use of the stadium's visitor dressing room, game presentation elements, team branding on the scoreboard and more.' Article content Fans 18-plus can sign up for the experience via as teams of 15 participants (11on the pitch and four substitutes). Each player will receive five friends and family spectator passes as well. Article content Team selection will be made through a lottery system with participants being notified on July 24. Article content Chris Shewfelt, Toronto FC's vice-president of business operations said in a release, 'TFC Open Pitch builds on our commitment to access and bringing our fans closer to the action as we proudly offer our passionate fans a unique player experience at BMO Field. Article content 'We are thrilled to be able to add TFC fans to this list of meaningful appearances and be apart of our home stadium's story,' Shewfelt added. Article content Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president Keith Pelley has said since taking the job that he wanted to make the massive sporting conglomerate more fan friendly, with more access and events involving supporters of its teams. Article content 'The activation's opening timeslot will give youth under 12 years old from MLSE LaunchPad's soccer program the opportunity to take the pitch. The program gives youth facing barriers with access to free soccer coaching, training and organized play using sport as a vehicle to help them reach their full potential,' TFC said. Article content
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
CBC to broadcast 1st-ever Northern Super League final at Toronto's BMO Field
CBC will broadcast the first-ever Northern Super League final, which will be held at Toronto's BMO Field on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. ET. The league made the announcement during halftime of Saturday's match between AFC Toronto and the Montreal Roses, which featured the two clubs leading the NSL standings. The game will mark the first time a women's professional sports team championship will be held in Canada at a neutral-site venue. "This moment is for the players, coaches and clubs who have given everything to build this league from the ground up — the long days, the early mornings, and the sacrifices they've made, all with one goal in mind: to win the NSL Final," Diana Matheson, Founder & Chief Growth Officer of Northern Super League, said in a statement. "The final is our chance to celebrate everything they've accomplished and to show the world what our athletes are truly capable of. It will be a historic moment — but also the start of something even bigger. We can't wait to share it with Canadians." The game will also be broadcast nationally on TSN and RDS, with international coverage on ESPN+ and the NSL's official YouTube channel. The long-awaited Canadian women's professional soccer league kicked off a 25-game regular season in April with six founding franchises: Montreal, Toronto, Calgary Wild FC, Halifax Tides FC, Ottawa Rapid FC and Vancouver Rise FC. The league's playoff format will see the top four teams at the end of the regular season compete in a home-and-away semifinal series. The two clubs with the highest aggregate scores will advance to the championship match at BMO Field, which will be hosted in partnership with host city club AFC Toronto. BMO Field will also host six games at next summer's FIFA World Cup. Before Friday's action, Toronto (8-3-1) topped the NSL standings with 25 points, seven more than second-place Montreal (5-3-3) with one additional game played. Ottawa (4-4-2) and Calgary (4-5-2) rounded out the top four with 14 points apiece, while Vancouver (3-5-3) and Halifax (3-7-1) ranked fifth and sixth, respectively. "Along with our top players, all of clubs to our partners and sponsors, and especially with fans from across the country, the NSL fiinal and Changemakers Summit will be a powerful celebration of excellence in Canadian women's soccer and the movement around women's sports in Canada," said NSL president Christina Litz in a statement. "This is the beginning of a new tradition – and is a once in a lifetime opportunity to mark this historic occasion of the first-ever Canadian professional women's sports national championship and you don't want to miss it." Tickets for the final go on public sale in early September.
CBC
19-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
CBC to broadcast 1st-ever Northern Super League final at Toronto's BMO Field
CBC will broadcast the first-ever Northern Super League final, which will be held at Toronto's BMO Field on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. ET. The league made the announcement during halftime of Saturday's match between AFC Toronto and the Montreal Roses, which featured the two clubs leading the NSL standings. The game will mark the first time a women's professional sports team championship will be held in Canada at a neutral-site venue. "This moment is for the players, coaches and clubs who have given everything to build this league from the ground up — the long days, the early mornings, and the sacrifices they've made, all with one goal in mind: to win the NSL Final," said Diana Matheson, Founder & Chief Growth Officer of Northern Super League. "The final is our chance to celebrate everything they've accomplished and to show the world what our athletes are truly capable of. It will be a historic moment — but also the start of something even bigger. We can't wait to share it with Canadians." The game will also be broadcast nationally on TSN and RDS, with international coverage on ESPN+ and the NSL's official YouTube channel. The league's playoff format will see the top four teams at the end of the regular season compete in a home-and-away semifinal series.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Toronto FC hosts Atlanta in a battle of struggling teams looking to climb standings
Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser stands on the touchline during MLS action against the New York Red Bulls, in Toronto, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young TORONTO — Toronto FC welcomes Atlanta United on Saturday in a battle of two teams still struggling to find a way back up the MLS standings. Atlanta (4-10-6) goes into weekend play in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, one place and one point above Toronto (4-11-5). Atlanta has just two wins in its last 14 league outings (2-8-4) since a March 29 win over New York City FC. Toronto, which has not played since a 3-1 loss at New York City FC on July 3, has won just one of its last six games (1-4-1). Despite Atlanta's recent poor form, Toronto coach Robin Fraser expects a tough challenge at BMO Field. 'With the amount of quality that they have, on any day they could be the best team in the league, given the players that they have,' he said after training in the heat Friday. 'Sometimes seasons go this way where, for whatever reason, good teams don't quite click. But I feel like it's just a matter of time before they click and I'm hoping it's not this weekend.' Atlanta coach Ronny Deila had some blunt words for his players this week. 'We need to work really hard,' said the Norwegian. 'It doesn't matter away or home (but) especially away you need to suffer and you need to enjoy suffering as a team.' Deila has said his team could use 'stronger leadership and a stronger hunger.' 'We have very nice players, staff and everything. But I think we can be more aggressive in wanting to achieve something … We haven't been good enough.' Asked what he wants from the upcoming transfer window, Deila replied 'players better than what we have.' Still, Atlanta leads the league in attendance, averaging 44,037 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Toronto ranks 19th at 19,959, just below the Vancouver Whitecaps (19,965). Atlanta, at 0-7-3 away from home, and the Los Angeles Galaxy (0-8-4) are the only teams in the league yet to win the road this season. Toronto has suffered at home (where it is 2-7-3) and away (2-4-2). Still Deila calls TFC a hard-working, organized team. Fraser also sees positives. 'I feel really encouraged about how hard and how cohesively the team is working … I feel like we are moving in a direction where if we can repeat that effort and cohesion that we will give ourselves a good chance,' he said. Atlanta ended a three-game losing streak with a scoreless draw Saturday at D.C. United, just its second clean sheet of the season. The Five Stripes added to their roster earlier this month, signing Albanian international defender Enea Mihaj on a free transfer but will have to wait until the secondary transfer window opens July 24 to use him. Saturday marks Toronto's second game since buying out Italian designated players Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. 'There's no superstars that think they're bigger than the team and that is always dangerous to meet,' Deila said. 'The intensity will be totally different than it was in D.C.,' he added. Off the pitch, Atlanta has been dealing with news that president and chief executive officer Garth Lagerwey is taking an indefinite leave of absence after recently being diagnosed with cancer. The club says the prognosis of a complete recovery is encouraging. Veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan, tied for the league lead with 75 saves, was hurt in a clash of heads during the D.C. United game but was cleared to finish the game. 'He's a tough guy,' said Deila. Atlanta is missing injured goalkeeper Josh Cohen, defenders Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams and midfielder Jay Fortune. Toronto has long-term injury absentees in defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Henry Wingo and Zane Monlouis, with all three likely out for the season. Midfielder Markus Cimermancic is available for selection and captain Jonathan Osorio, while not ready for the weekend, is said to be 'really close' to a return. After Saturday's game, Toronto plays at San Diego, Nashville, Charlotte and Philadelphia with its next home game Aug. 16 against Columbus. While the overall series with Atlanta is even-steven at 5-5-6, Toronto holds a 4-1-2 edge at BMO Field. TFC won 2-0 when Atlanta last visited, in a battle of depleted teams March 23, 2024, when it was minus-1 C at kickoff, feeling like minus-8 with a biting wind. On the plus side, the snow that had fallen the day before had largely disappeared. Saturday's forecast calls for 26 C, feeling like 34 C for the evening kickoff. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 11, 2025 Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
