Background: BMO Field is the home of Toronto FC and I think it’s the best venue in MLS. Why? Well, because (A) it’s a modern marvel, (B) it’s fan friendly, and (C) it’s always filled to capacity with fanatics screaming their heads off. It’s Canada’s answer to the HDC and it is truly the finest field in MLS in my humble opinion. Reds’ fans should be delighted.
Construction: After a one year build and scores of millions of Canadian dollars were invested, BMO field opened in 2007 with much fanfare. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. complied with Commissioner Don Garber’s wishes by making the stadium soccer specific and ensuring it would be a “state of the art” venue. Now, it’s MLS’s best.
Features: BMO Field has it all (luxury suites, great design for viewing, etc. etc.). The one place it sort of sucks is its pitch, which is made of FieldTurf rather than natural grass. Mr. Beckham himself expressed his displeasure with the surface. But, despite this one glaring flaw, I think BMO Field still deserves top honors, and the next category is why.
Fans: There is simply no better atmosphere in MLS than BMO Field. Toronto‘s fans are insane about their team, and their joy during games is simply unparalleled. In fact, it is sold out for every game, and there are so many tens of thousands of people on the waiting list for season tickets, the owners are going to add another 6,000 seats. It’s the best place to watch MLS soccer because of this fanatical environment, so that’s why it’s #1 on this list.
I hope you all have enjoyed this ranking of the five finest venues in MLS soccer. Please let me know in the comments if I omitted your favorite stadium. Until then, keep coming back to STO for the best news and commentary on the vast interwebs. Peace.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Have you been there? It’s not fan friendly, it’s small, it’s cheaply constructed, the fans aren’t that loud, the team stinks, and the turf is a complete joke.
turf. not the best. its turf.
best atmosphere, sure
nice stadium design, sure
pitch, one of the worst
so how do you judge a venue based on a teams fans? i think you should judge the team on its fans, and the venue on its inherent qualities, and frankly BMO is really lacking here
The original criteria were:
Does the venue successfully showcase soccer?
Did the venue’s creation further popularize MLS?
Are the fans who frequent the venue pleased with its features?
Base on those, how on earth did you leave QWest Field and Sounders FC fans and atmosphere created off the list entirely???? Who else sells out all 28,000 seats with fans who are on their feet the entire time?
You’re wide of the goal, mate!
How could you give a stadium in canadia, with a turf field the #1 spot? I mean props to their fans and all, but come on…