Todd V.
Yelp
If you're a fan of soccer (or "football" to everyone else save the Americans), you always heard the stories from friends who have travelled far afield to countries in Europe or South America and heard tales of the type of atmosphere that comes with Match Day. There's the pre-game drinks, the walk to the stadium, the packed venue, the screaming, the chants, the songs, the post-game drinks. It'd be cool if you didn't have to fly to Europe for that. As long as Toronto's been waiting for some sort of professional soccer team, it has waited equally long for a soccer-specific stadium to house the matches. BMO Field answers that need and delivers a truly unique fan experience.
Constructed in time for Toronto FC's inaugural season, it is an open-air stadium holding over 20,000. There are stands on the west, south and east sides with the north being an open standing-room-only-beer-tent type affair. Care has been given to ensure that there is not an obstructed sight-line or admittedly a bad seat in the house. Even the arguably worst seat in the house (furthest up and to the extreme far left or right on the main stand, provides a decent view.
Refreshments abound. Yes, you can get the regular staples of pizza, hot dogs, you know, the usual. Go to the north side stands where you'll be able to find scotch eggs, chip butties (a French fry sandwich that if you've not tried, you have to), and other typical football-y fare. Beer is sold pretty much everywhere in the stadium. Probably a good thing since the majority of the TFC fans show up thirsty.
The central part of the west and east stands are the places where you're able to sit and watch the match without much bother from anyone around you. This is probably where you do not want to sit. Get to the south-side stands where not only is the atmosphere chaotic, it is typically a non-stop pulsing mass of people singing, chanting and bouncing. You'll be lucky if uttering the phrase "Sit down please, I can't see!" ends happily with merely a stern look shot your way and then the continuation of business as usual. Bedlam.
There are a couple of drawbacks with the stadium, one being the pitch itself. It is artificial turf and though top of the line, it still is artificial. Though, given Toronto's climate and the costs associated with real turf, this can be forgiven. On the plus side, during the winters, a dome is placed over the field allowing several six-a-side games to carry on throughout the cold months. Speaking of miserable weather, don't bother bringing umbrellas to BMO Field if it's looking like rain. For security reasons, umbrellas are not allowed in the seats. Buy a poncho, make sure your shoes are Scotch-Guarded, and above all else, make sure you keep a lid on your beer.