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BMO Field Debuts World Cup Upgrades in Live Test

A sellout run-through gave officials data to fine-tune operations before next month's World Cup.

Overview

  • An Inter Miami–Toronto FC match at BMO Field, played Saturday, served as a live rehearsal before Canada’s June 12 World Cup opener at the same venue.
  • A club-record 44,828 attended, filling 17,000 new temporary seats installed in a $158 million retrofit to meet FIFA capacity rules.
  • Security stopped several pitch invaders who tried to reach Lionel Messi late in the game, signaling where protocols may need tightening.
  • Fans reported slow entry and perimeter fencing that left some seats empty at kickoff, giving operators clear fixes to improve crowd flow.
  • Transit agency Metrolinx ran more frequent trains as a readiness test and said the tournament could add about 500,000 riders to its services.