Ever wondered where Toronto’s heart beats for soccer and football? It beats right here at BMO Field. This outdoor stadium is located at Exhibition Place in Toronto Ontario Canada.
BMO Field stands on the former site of Exhibition Stadium. It first opened its doors in 2007. It has since become a landmark for sports fans. It is owned by the City of Toronto. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment manages it. They also own Toronto FC and the Argonauts.
Originally, BMO Field was built as a soccer-specific stadium. This was for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Toronto FC also made it their home. The stadium hosted matches during the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. It also hosted the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
From 2014 to 2016 BMO Field underwent major renovations. An upper deck was added to the east grandstand. A roof now covers the seating areas. The field was lengthened to accommodate Canadian football. This allowed the Toronto Argonauts to move here in 2016. The 104th Grey Cup was also played at BMO Field that year.
Did you know that BMO Field is the fifth stadium to occupy this exact spot? The most recent predecessor was Exhibition Stadium. It lost its primary tenants when SkyDome now Rogers Centre opened in 1989. Exhibition Stadium was demolished in 1999.
In 2006, Major League Soccer announced Toronto FC would join the league in 2007. BMO Field would be their home. Toronto FC played their first game here on April 28 2007. The grand opening celebration took place on May 12 2007.
BMO Field has seen its share of milestones. The first goal was scored by Eddie Johnson for the Kansas City Wizards in 2007. Danny Dichio scored Toronto FC’s first goal at the stadium.
BMO Field has a hybrid grass surface since 2019. This ensures a top-quality playing field. It meets FIFA standards at 105 x 68 meters for soccer. It can also accommodate Canadian football at 134 x 59 meters.
The largest attendance at BMO Field was for the NHL Centennial Classic. The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Detroit Red Wings on January 1 2017. A crowd of 40148 people attended. The largest MLS game attendance was 36045 in 2016. Toronto FC hosted the Seattle Sounders FC in the MLS Cup Final.
BMO Field is set to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It will be temporarily renamed “Toronto Stadium”. The stadium’s capacity will expand to 45736 seats for the event.
So next time you are in Toronto remember BMO Field. It is more than just a stadium. It is a place where memories are made. It’s a place where Toronto comes together.