Because the countdown to the FIFA 2026 World Cup video games begins, Toronto’s BMO’s discipline goes by means of a variety of renovations to fulfill the match’s requirements.
On Tuesday, the town of Toronto and Maple Leaf Sports activities and Leisure unveiled particulars concerning the ongoing renovations and upgrades on the venue.
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Nick Eaves, MLSE’s chief venues and operations officer, mentioned it is an honour to host the primary match for Canada males’s nationwide soccer workforce.
“We’re thrilled to be one among 16 host cities taking part in our half and we won’t wait to make the town of Toronto proud and showcase all that in entrance of a worldwide broadcast viewers of actually a number of billion individuals,” he mentioned.
In June 2022, FIFA awarded Toronto the appropriate to host 5 first spherical video games plus one playoff spherical match throughout the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off June 12. The remaining video games shall be hosted by Vancouver, Mexico and the U.S.
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Eaves mentioned MLSE is working along with the town to increase BMO discipline to have or not it’s prepared for World Cup matches and meet the FIFA necessities, which he says are “not insignificant.”
“It has been a little bit of a journey in partnership between the town and Maple Leaf Sports activities and Leisure to actually be able to host what would be the largest international sporting occasion ever,” he mentioned.
Sharon Bollenbach, left, and Nick Eaves, proper, are pictured right here on Sep. 23, 2025. (Dale Manucdoc/CBC)
Sharon Bollenbach, government director for the FIFA World Cup 26 Toronto Secretariat, mentioned section one of many renovations is formally full, and consists of a number of everlasting components equivalent to luxurious suites, an upgraded video manufacturing management room and a brand new kitchen.
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The “jewels within the crown” for her are the 4 new video boards, that are roughly 9 by 15 metres, with over 5 million pixels when it comes to decision, she mentioned.
“We’re actually pleased with that. It is one of many massive legacy investments as a part of the infrastructure venture and, clearly assembly FIFA necessities, however an enormous improve and set up for fan expertise going ahead publish world cup,” mentioned Bollenbach.
The venue received 4 new video boards, that are roughly 9 by 15 metres with over 5 million pixels when it comes to decision. (Paul Borkwood/CBC)
2nd section to start in December
The second section begins in December and would be the most difficult, with plans so as to add 17,000 momentary new seating to the venue, growing its capability to 45,000 to fulfill FIFA necessities.
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“The seating itself is momentary, however there shall be some nice legacy components that keep and enhance fan expertise within the stadium long run,” mentioned Bollenbach.
She mentioned 7,000 seats shall be added to the south finish and 10,000 shall be added to the north finish on a two-level hospitality space.
The anticipated building space for section 2. (Dale Manucdoc/CBC)
After the momentary seating on the hospitality space will get taken down, the venue will convert it right into a rooftop patio for Toronto FC, Toronto Argonauts and different occasions, Eaves mentioned.
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As well as, all BMO Subject signage shall be lined and changed with Toronto Stadium signage previous to the turnover.
Mobility plan nonetheless being finalized
Officers additionally offered some perception into how they intend to handle visitors and crowds throughout the match.
Bollenbach mentioned a mobility plan remains to be being finalized and shall be largely depending on what time matches shall be performed.
“Whether or not we’ve a match at midday on a weekday may be very completely different than we’ve a 3 p.m. match that offers with kind of finish of day visitors on a Friday, so we’re ready for the match occasions to additional refine the mobility plan,” she mentioned.
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The TTC, Metrolinx, the town and even gamers have been collaborating within the creation of the mobility plan, Bollenbach mentioned.
There shall be very restricted parking and followers shall be inspired to make use of different transportation strategies, she mentioned.
Bollenbach mentioned there shall be very restricted parking and followers shall be inspired to make use of different transportation strategies to entry the venue throughout match days. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)
“Whether or not that is transit, whether or not it is strolling, whether or not it is biking, rideshare, we will be offering a variety of choices for individuals aside from coming down in their very own vehicles and congesting the realm,” mentioned Bollenbach.
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There shall be transportation hubs for each GO service and elevated TTC streetcar service, she added.
Work on section two will start shortly after Ladies’s Northern Tremendous League performs its championship match on Nov. 17.
“It will be a little bit of a dash, however so was the primary section, so we’re prepared for it,” mentioned Eaves. “We have now handy the stadium over to FIFA 30 days earlier than the primary match, so Could 12, 2026, so between from time to time, there’s a variety of work to do.”