The men’s FIFA World Cup is nearly a year away, and the downtown Toronto stadium that will play host to six tournament matches is getting a nearly $150-million facelift.
CBC News reports that the city revealed on Monday plans to upgrade BMO Field, which is owned by the city and managed by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), into a premier venue capable of hosting the world’s largest soccer tournament. The city and MLSE are spending $123 million and $23 million respectively.
The stadium’s seating capacity will increase from close to 30,000 to 45,000, with 17,000 temporary seats added on grandstands at the north and south ends of the field. This will bring it up to FIFA World Cup standards.
Mayor Olivia Chow, FIFA World Cup Toronto executive director Sharon Bollenbach, MLSE CEO Nick Eaves, and MP Adam van Koeverden, who is also the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Sport, attended the announcement.
The city says new luxury boxes and a rooftop patio with a capacity for 1,000 fans will be added to the north side of the stadium, along with a new centre-field lounge on the west side. The field will also be upgraded to meet world-class standards.
Construction will be completed in two phases. The first which is already underway is scheduled to be completed in August. The second phase will take place from December 2025 to March 2026.
The city expects the tournament will boost Toronto’s GDP by nearly $400 million. FIFA released an economic impact assessment in December that estimated the tournament would contribute $340 million in income for labourers and $25 million to government revenue.
The tournament kicks off June 11 with two matches in Mexico, which will host 13 matches at three different venues.
The next day, Toronto will host the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup match to be played in Canada.
