Latest news with #TorontoFC
Hamilton Spectator
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Toronto soccer fans could soon play on BMO Field. Here's how to hit the pitch
Torontonians who have dreamed of hitting the pitch at BMO Field could soon be in luck, Toronto FC said. Ahead of renovations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup , the soccer club is hosting a one-day event that will allow some fans to play a pick-up match on the pitch, Toronto FC said in a news release . The team will hold a first-of-its-kind open pitch event on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with fans invited to enter a lottery to play a one-hour match. Fans aged 18 and older can sign up online as teams of 15 (11 on the pitch and four substitutes) starting Monday. Teams will be chosen through a lottery, the soccer club said, and fans can expect to hear back on Thursday. Each player will also receive five spectator passes for family and friends, and 'repeat applications' will not be considered, the club added. 'Selected participants will receive an authentic player experience,' the soccer club added, including access to the visitor dressing room and team branding on the scoreboard. '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,' Toronto FC vice-president of business operations Chris Shewfelt said in the news release. 'We are thrilled to be able to add TFC fans to this list of meaningful appearances and be a part of our home stadium's story.' Children from MLSE's Launchpad soccer program — which gives underserved kids under 12 access to free soccer training, coaching and organized play — will also have the chance to take to the pitch, the soccer club added.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Experience Toronto's BMO Field: Fans get unique chance to play on FIFA World Cup stadium field this weekend
If you've always dreamt of stepping foot onto a FIFA World Cup stadium like the pros, the opportunity has now arrived in Toronto. For the first time, BMO Field, which is set to host six World Cup matches in 2026, will open its field to the fans to play on this Sunday, July 27. A post shared by Toronto FC (@torontofc) The 'first-of-its-kind' activation will take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and fans are invited to sign up for the chance to take the field for a one-hour match. According to the Toronto FC news release , selected participants will receive an authentic player experience that includes the use of the stadium's visitor dressing room, game presentation elements and team branding on the official scoreboard. '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,' said Chris Shewfelt, Toronto FC's vice-president of business operations, in the news release . 'We are thrilled to be able to add TFC fans to this list of meaningful appearances and be a part of our home stadium's story.' A post shared by FIFA World Cup 26 Toronto (@fwc26toronto) Team registrations opened on Monday, July 21 and will go through Wednesday, July 23, at 12 p.m. EST. Team selection will be made by random draw, with selected teams being notified by Thursday, July 24. Fans 18 years and over can sign up for the experience on as teams of fifteen participants — 11 on the pitch and four substitutes. Each player will also receive five spectator passes for friends and family. While team submission is only open to players above the ages of 18, the activation's opening time slot will be an opportunity for youth under the ages of 12 from MLSE Launchpad's soccer program . The program gives youth facing barriers free access to soccer coaching, training and organized play. To become a member of this program, visit .
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
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Sam Surridge scores his 18th goal and Joe Willis earns 9th clean sheet as Nashville beats Toronto
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sam Surridge scored his 18th goal of the season, Joe Willis earned his ninth clean sheet and Nashville beat Toronto FC 1-0 on Saturday night. Nashville (14-5-5), which won its ninth home game this season, set a franchise record for wins during the regular season, topping 13 set in 2022 and '23.
