The first phase of upgrades at BMO Field, which includes new video boards and enhanced lounges, have been completed ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The City of Toronto and Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) unveiled the upgrades on Tuesday.
The upgrades are meant to meet FIFA requirements in time for the 2026 games, where Toronto is set to host 6 at BMO Field, which will be renamed to Toronto Stadium during the games.
Read More
As part of the upgrades, four new 50 x 30 video boards have been attached to the stadium’s corner columns which includes improved resolutions across more than 50 million LED pixels.
“We really think that it elevates the fan experience going forward. And these will be permanent. They will be staying in the stadium after the World Cup,” Sharon Bollenbach, executive director of FIFA World Cup 26 Toronto Secretariat, said.
The four score boards replace the one singular score board on the north end of the field, and Bollenbach says the new boards will allow fans to see all of the action.
In addition to the new scoreboards, the field also built a new 80-person capacity New Centre Field Lounge to fulfill FIFA hospitality requirements.
“This space is going to be used by FIFA when they’re hosting their stakeholders, from international heads of states to important partners,” Nick Eaves, MLSE chief operating officer, said.
The lounge was made by combining what used to be four individual suites for fans and sits right at the centre of the field.
Eaves says this newly created lounge is also intended for world leaders, which he expects could potentially attend the games.
The field is also being prepared for the increased capacity of fans by opening a new and improved west kitchen to serve fans more efficiently, and the stadium will also feature improved concession and concourse areas, including self-serve technology.
PHASE 2 TO BEGIN IN DECEMBER, WILL INCLUDE 17,000 NEW SEATING
Phase 2 construction is set to begin in December and will include the installation of 17,000 new temporary seats.
Bollenbach says this will be done by installing 10,000 new seats in the north end of the stadium and 7,000 in the south, bringing the stadium’s 28,000 capacity to 45,000 to meet FIFA requirements.
Eaves says after FIFA is done the temporary seating on the north end will be converted to an outdoor patio for general admission attendees to CFL and TFC games.
Further enhancements in phase 2 will include a new hybrid pitch and player spaces including new dugouts, and LED stadium lighting to meet FIFA broadcast specifications.
Eaves says the venue must be turned over to FIFA one month prior to the first match, and this turnover will be expected in mid-May.
In addition, all BMO Field signage will be covered and replaced with Toronto Stadium signage prior to the turnover.
The first FIFA match in Toronto will be held on June 12.
