World Cup Readiness Unveiled
Toronto Stadium Completes Extensive Renovation for FIFA World Cup Readiness
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Toronto's BMO Field — officially renamed "Toronto Stadium" for the tournament — is ready to host the FIFA World Cup, with Canada's first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina just days away The Province. The venue has been transformed from a 28,000-seat stadium into a 45,736-seat World Cup host at a cost of $157.9 million, with materials and components sourced from six to eight countries Leader Post.
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The stadium's makeover adds 17,756 temporary seats to meet FIFA's minimum capacity requirement. Permanent upgrades — including four new LED videoboards and a hybrid grass pitch — will remain for Toronto FC and the Argonauts after the tournament ends Leader Post.
50 Cameras and a Gutted Press Box for FIFA
The broadcast setup alone signals how different a World Cup game is from a regular match here. FIFA's world feed will use more than 50 cameras — compared to the 12 used for standard MLS or CFL games Pincher Creek Echo. That is more than four times the usual setup, capturing every angle of the pitch for a global audience.
To make room for the FIFA broadcast operation, the stadium's press box has been cleared out entirely. It now serves as a FIFA Control Centre. Media have been relocated to a temporary facility with 250 dedicated seats for the global press corps Fort Saskatchewan Record.
Argonauts Weight Room Becomes an Officials Lounge
Inside the stadium, familiar spaces have been repurposed for the tournament. The Toronto Argonauts weight room has been converted into a high-end officials lounge Whitecourt Star. The two primary dressing rooms have been overhauled to meet FIFA standards for player facilities.
Canada's men's national team will use the home dressing room — the same room they use for international friendlies Edmonton Examiner. The familiar setting is a deliberate choice, giving the host nation a sense of routine before their opening World Cup match.
$158 Million Renovation and Who Is Paying For It
The full cost of the renovation comes to $157.9 million. The City of Toronto is covering $132.9 million of that bill. MLSE, the stadium's operator, is contributing $25 million The Province. MLSE COO Nick Eaves said he is confident the venue will "appear spectacularly on the world stage," adding that "BMO Field will be the smallest stadium... but we know Toronto is going to light up."
Canada's Parliamentary Budget Office has flagged that the public-sector cost for hosting the tournament has topped $1 billion nationally. Critics point out that local residents whose tax dollars funded the renovation face ticket prices as high as $10,990 USD for top-category seats, though a small pool of $60 USD tickets was set aside for locals Leader Post.
Six Games in Toronto, Legacy Upgrades Left Behind
Toronto is set to host six World Cup matches in total, with the opener pitting Canada against Bosnia and Herzegovina Pincher Creek Echo. The stadium is one of 16 venues spread across Mexico, the United States, and Canada for the 48-team tournament. Economic projections from Deloitte estimate a $3.8 billion boost to Canada's GDP, though analysts describe the tourism lift as a "short-lived bump" in the broader national economy.
When the temporary seats come down after the tournament, the four corner LED videoboards, the 360-degree concourse, and the hybrid grass pitch will stay. Those permanent upgrades will benefit Toronto FC and the Argonauts for years to come Fort Saskatchewan Record.
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