Amid flak over temporary stands, Toronto unveils revamped stadium for Cup | OneFootball

The renovated BMO Field was unveiled this Tuesday by the city of Toronto for the 2026 World Cup, amid questions over the safety of its temporary stands.

BMO Field is the smallest of the 16 stadiums that will host matches in the tournament, jointly organized by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, from June 11 to July 19.

With a usual capacity of 28,000 spectators, the venue needed a series of upgrades to meet FIFA standards, including the addition of 17,000 extra seats.

“The stands will be completely safe,” said Nick Eaves, chief operating officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the company that manages the stadium.

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In early March, images of the scaffolding supporting the temporary stands began circulating online, and the reaction was not positive.

“With all due respect, not for all the gold in the world would I climb up there, stand there, or sit there,” read a fan post on X.

Eaves said Toronto partnered with Arena Group, a world-leading company in temporary stands, and that the online controversy surrounding the structures was unfounded.

The executive added that the temporary seats will undergo a full test on May 9, when Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami visits BMO Field to face Toronto FC in a sold-out MLS match.

FIFA will take control of the stadium on May 13, one month before Toronto’s first World Cup match.

Sharon Bollenbach, executive director of Toronto’s World Cup Organizing Committee, said BMO Field has received “multiple visits” from FIFA and has been “approved” to host the six matches scheduled for the city.

“We are confident that we will have one of the best pitches among the 16 host cities,” said Chris Shewfelt, vice president of business operations at Toronto FC.

*With AFP content

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