Latest news with #OpenPitch
CTV News
3 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- 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
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Invest Fest 2025 Announces Open Pitch, A Startup Pitch Competition With $125,000 Investment Prize
Earn Your Leisure and Open Opportunity Fund Partner to Spotlight the Next Generation of Breakout Tech Startups ATLANTA, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Open Opportunity Fund, the venture capital firm, is partnering with Earn Your Leisure (EYL), the cultural force behind Invest Fest, to launch the Open Pitch competition live on stage at Invest Fest 2025 in Atlanta. The competition offers a $125,000 investment prize and a national platform for early-stage founders building what's next in tech. Applications are open now at and Open Pitch is the high-energy startup competition built to discover and support the most promising early-stage companies. With hundreds of applicants, five finalists, and one ultimate winner, the competition delivers more than exposure—it connects founders directly with active investors and business leaders who know what it takes to scale. Finalists will pitch live on stage at Invest Fest at the Georgia World Congress Center. The top five startups will be selected from 25 semi-finalists and evaluated by a panel of guest investor judges. Finalists receive real-time feedback, strategic connections, and a shot at national visibility—and one will walk away with a $125,000 investment from Open Opportunity Fund. "Invest Fest has become one of the most powerful platforms for economic empowerment in our culture," said Paul Judge, Managing Partner at Open Opportunity Fund. "Bringing Open Pitch to this audience is about spotlighting world-class founders who are building the future. We're proud to back them with capital and community." "At Earn Your Leisure, our mission is rooted in ownership, access, and opportunity," said Rashad Bilal, Co-founder of Earn Your Leisure & Invest Fest. "Partnering with Paul and Open Opportunity Fund to launch Open Pitch is a natural evolution of that mission. This is more than a pitch competition—it's a movement to fund the future." "Over the years, we've hosted pitch competitions that have helped founders get their start—but this is the next generation," added Troy Millings, Co-founder of Earn Your Leisure & Invest Fest. "Now we're not just providing capital—we're surrounding the winning companies with strategic support and value creation after the investment. That's how real growth happens." Open Pitch is where bold ideas meet real opportunity. As artificial intelligence and cloud technology transform every industry—from finance to healthcare, logistics to education—Open Pitch gives founders a national stage to lead that transformation. Applications close June 30. For eligibility and competition details, visit and About Invest Fest Invest Fest is a first-of-its-kind experience blending investing, entrepreneurship, pop culture, and entertainment. Launched by the Earn Your Leisure platform, the annual festival brings together thousands of attendees—including investors, business leaders, creatives, and changemakers—for a dynamic weekend of panels, live interviews, networking opportunities, and cultural activations. Held in Atlanta, Invest Fest serves as a national stage for economic empowerment, financial literacy, and wealth-building within underrepresented communities. About Earn Your Leisure Founded in 2018 by lifelong friends, Earn Your Leisure (EYL) has rapidly grown into one of the most influential and innovative media platforms in the world of business, finance, and entrepreneurship. What began as an educational podcast designed to bridge the gap between traditional financial education and popular culture has evolved into a global movement—empowering millions to build wealth and achieve financial freedom. Today, EYL boasts a loyal community of more than 1.6 million followers across social media and over 1.6 million YouTube subscribers. What started as a podcast has since expanded into a multifaceted ecosystem that includes: About Open Opportunity Fund Open Opportunity Fund is a technology investment firm focused on investing in B2B software companies. Open Opportunity Fund's portfolio spans enterprise IT, artificial intelligence, fintech, and health tech sectors. Opportunity Fund 1 is a $100 million fund. The firm has invested in 75 tech companies including Atomic, Brex, Cityblock Health, Eight Sleep, Esusu, Lumu, Paystand, QuickNode, and Subject. In 2023, the team led by Paul Judge and Marcelo Claure announced Fund 2 with a $200 million target to continue to execute the thesis. Media Contacts: Earn Your Leisure:francoise@ / asow@ Open Opportunity Fund: pr@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Open Opportunity Fund Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
