World Cup 2026 stadium guides: Welcome to Toronto Stadium, the raucous home of Canadian soccer (original) (raw)

This article is part of our World Cup Stadium Guides series, in which we look at the 16 venues that will host matches at the 2026 tournament.

Toronto is known as one of the most diverse, accepting and liveable cities in the world.

It has played host to some of Canadian soccer’s most memorable moments and is emerging as a talent hub for the entire continent. Situated just off the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto Stadium — as it will be known during the World Cup under FIFA regulations — could be one of the most raucous venues this summer.

It has hosted multiple MLS Cups and World Cup qualifying matches but nothing will compare to when it hosts Canada’s first World Cup game as hosts, against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12.

Here’s everything you need to know about the ground, located just outside of downtown Toronto and largely considered the home of Canadian soccer.

What is it normally called? And what will it be called at the World Cup?

The stadium is officially called BMO Field because of its naming-rights agreement with the Bank of Montreal, one of Canada’s largest banks and the recently announced training kit sponsor of Canada Soccer.

For those wanting to sound like a local, it is pronounced “Bee Mo” Field. The stadium has maintained the same name since it was opened in 2007.

Due to FIFA regulations prohibiting corporate-sponsored names, it will temporarily be referred to as Toronto Stadium throughout this summer’s World Cup.

When did it open, how much did it cost, and who plays there?

BMO Field is not the first stadium to be constructed at Exhibition Place, a publicly-owned, mixed-use space on Lake Ontario.

Exhibition Stadium hosted the MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays from 1977 to 1989 and the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts from 1959 to 1988. After multiple Grey Cups (the Canadian Football League’s annual championship) and concerts from acts such as U2 and the Rolling Stones, Exhibition Stadium was demolished in 1999. Portions of BMO Field now stand on that stadium’s former grounds.

Construction on BMO Field began in 2006 after Toronto was awarded an MLS expansion team in 2005 and Canada was awarded the 2007 Under-20 World Cup in 2004. The original stadium, with a capacity of just over 20,000, cost 62.9millionCAD(62.9million CAD (62.9millionCAD(46m USD or £34m at current exchange rates) and was funded by all three levels of Canada’s government and Toronto FC’s owners, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

A lively BMO Field after it opened in 2007 (Paul Giamou/MLS/WireImage)

The stadium then opened in 2007. Toronto FC played their first game there in April 2007, while a young Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria each scored multiple times in Toronto to propel Argentina to become Under-20 World Cup champions in that summer’s tournament.

Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts now call BMO Field their permanent home. Canada’s men’s national team also play the majority of their home games there.

What are the most famous moments there?

The first and arguably most famous moment in the stadium’s history involved a case of mass littering.

Toronto FC did not score a goal in the first four games of their debut MLS season, including in their BMO Field opener. Fans had grown restless by their fifth match against the Chicago Fire in May 2007.

The club had given out free branded seat cushions before that game, and when Danny Dichio, the former Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion forward, bundled home the first goal in the club’s history in the 24th minute, fans threw the thousands of seat cushions onto the pitch in celebration. To this day, fans in the BMO Field south end still sing Dichio’s name in the 24th minute of every TFC game.

Less than 10 years later, TFC made it to their first MLS Cup in 2016, where they lost on penalties to the Seattle Sounders. In an MLS Cup rematch a year later, again in Toronto, TFC won their first and only MLS Cup 2-0.

Earlier that year, the NHL played its first outdoor game in Toronto. The modern Maple Leafs era experienced one of its defining moments as recent 1st overall draft pick and future Hall of Famer Auston Matthews scored the game-winner in overtime against the Detroit Red Wings.

It was also where, in March 2022, Canada’s men’s national team qualified for their first World Cup in 36 years after dismantling Jamaica 4-0. As the players sank to their knees on the pitch after the final whistle, giant space heaters were wheeled beside the pitch to ensure they didn’t freeze during their post-game celebrations.

Canada celebrate reaching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images)

How many fans can it hold? Will it be full for the World Cup?

BMO Field’s capacity for TFC games is just under 29,000, but additional temporary seating is being installed which will take that to 44,315 spectators for the World Cup, meeting FIFA requirements. That will be the lowest capacity of any stadium at the tournament.

The temporary seating on the north and south ends might not be the most appealing look, but the hope will be that games sell out. Victor Montagliani, the Canadian president of Concacaf told The Athletic last week that Canada’s opening game “will be sold out”, despite plenty of tickets still being available.

World Cup organisers will also hope the city’s rich diversity means fans supporting teams playing in Toronto (including Germany and Croatia) will ensure those temporary seats won’t be seen on matchday.

What kind of pitch does it have?

BMO Field uses a hybrid surface, laid in 2019. The surface is 95 per cent natural grass and is reinforced with artificial turf fibres.

What will the weather be like?

Despite long winters, Toronto has some of the best summers on the continent. Expect average temperatures in June and July to sit in the mid-to-high 70sF (mid 20sC), but with more humidity than many other host cities.

Luckily for those going to games, BMO Field often benefits from a constant, natural breeze from the nearby Lake Ontario on scorching matchdays.

The stadium does not have a roof but provides some cover over three stands. Fans in lower sections as well as those in the temporary seating could be subject to the elements.

BMO Field before a Canada game in November 2025 (Indrawan Kumala/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Are there other changes for the World Cup?

Outside of the temporary seating, the most noticeable upgrades will be the pitch, new team dugouts and multiple new video boards. BMO Field’s WiFi, sound and lighting system and luxury boxes will also be upgraded. A new kitchen promises upgrades to food and beverage offerings.

As with all World Cup venues, BMO Field’s branding will need to be covered in line with FIFA’s commercial regulations.

How do you get there?

There are multiple options for travelling to the stadium — but driving should not be one of them. The FIFA-regulated security perimeter around the stadium will eliminate virtually all of the ground’s parking.

The best way to get there is via two public transit routes: an upgraded streetcar (tram) stop outside of the stadium allows fans to travel there via the TTC, Toronto’s municipal transit system.

The stadium is also served by Go Transit, the province-wide train system. The Exhibition station directly to the north of the stadium will undoubtedly be how most fans get to BMO Field.

Given the stadium’s proximity to downtown, fans should consider making the 45-minute walk along Lake Ontario to the stadium itself, too.

What can fans expect?

A party.

The stadium’s surrounding area has a history of seeing people let loose. Millions of people flock to Caribana and The Ex, two of the city’s largest festivals held just outside the stadium every summer.

Fans can expect a party in Toronto (Indrawan Kumala/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A short walk from the stadium is Liberty Village, a neighbourhood often preferred by the city’s younger crowd that is filled with bars. Add in the reliance on public transit and fans likely not driving to games, and Toronto could feel like one of the World Cup’s most accepting and enjoyable host cities.

Anything else?

A few quick tips to look, act and sound like a local: the city’s diversity and multiculturalism is a badge of honour for Torontonians, who have a history of welcoming outsiders with open arms. Act accordingly.

The second “t” in Toronto is never pronounced by locals. Calling the fair city “Tronna” will have local bartenders nodding with pride.

And what visitors might consider balmy weather, Torontonians see as liberation from a hard winter. Shorts and T-shirts in cooler weather are the norm.

Which games will be played there?

Toronto will host six World Cup fixtures:

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