Inter Miami defeated Toronto FC 4-2 at the newly expanded BMO Field on Saturday, in what served as a dress rehearsal for the FIFA World Cup next month. A sellout crowd of 44,828 fans attended the match, with approximately 17,000 spectators occupying new grandstand seats added specifically for the tournament.
The expanded stadium is being prepared for Canada's World Cup opener on June 12 against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The newly constructed grandstands were added to bring capacity up to FIFA minimum requirements. The grey flip-down seats in the new sections create a visual contrast with the existing red seating area.
While some fans praised the additions, operational challenges were evident during the match. A few thousand seats remained empty at kickoff as spectators navigated lineups and fencing around the stadium's perimeter. The grandstand concourse area had a temporary outdoor tent feel, and the exterior of the venue appeared to still be under construction.
Long-time TFC fan Trevor Ellis commended the sightlines from the new seating areas. "It's almost the perfect seat, like the front row and the back row are both really cool in that way," he said. "You can see the entire pitch. The sightline is pretty good. You've got the skyline in the background and the lake — it looks beautiful".
Not all feedback was positive. Attendee Jaime Garcia raised concerns about the stadium's appearance ahead of international visitors. "I think the structure had to look better than this, especially when you have people coming from other countries and comparing it to other stadiums, in North America, everywhere, in Mexico," Garcia said. "I think the structure from the outside looks scary, to be honest with you".
The new seating features grippy steps, though spectators in the upper sections reported feeling the steep incline.
