TORONTO -- Mitchell Gale and Wallace Miles ensured the Toronto Argonauts' BMO Field debut was a successful one.

Gale hit Miles on a five-yard TD strike with under three minutes remaining to earn Toronto a 25-16 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the exhibition opener for both teams on a warm, sunny afternoon.

The attendance wasn't announced but the stadium appeared roughly half full.

Gale, who appeared in one game last year with Hamilton, signed with Toronto on Saturday and was the fourth quarterback used after Logan Kilgore, Ricky Ray and rookie Cody Fajardo. The Argos appeared to cement the win earlier when with under 10 minutes remaining Thomas Gordon had an interception return TD but it was nullified by an offside penalty.

The game was Toronto's first at the refurbished BMO Field. The Argos -- under the new ownership of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum and Bell Canada -- moved in after 27 seasons at Rogers Centre.

Rogers Centre had a capacity exceeding 52,000 for football -- 53,208 watched Toronto win the 100th Grey Cup there in 2012 -- but the Argos annually struggled to attract spectators. Their attendance last year dropped to 12,431 after averaging 17,791 in 2014 and fans often complained about the proximity of the field and lack of atmosphere at the dome.

The football capacity at BMO Field -- owned by the City of Toronto and operated by MLSE, the owners of Major League Soccer's Toronto FC -- is about 28,000. The stadium certainly felt cozy and there was a lot more atmosphere present as fans were much more engaged, even for an exhibition game.

And a select few participated in the Argos' tailgate party in parking lots near BMO Field. It will be limited to about 250 vehicles, and while beer and other beverages will be sold, bringing booze from home won't be allowed due to Ontario's strict liquor laws.

For many, the move to BMO Field signifies a return to the Argos' heyday when they played outdoors at Exhibition Stadium. The franchise spent 30 seasons on the CNE grounds before relocating to Rogers Centre in '89.

Both Hamilton and Toronto have some decisions to make as CFL teams must cut down to 65 players by Tuesday. Clubs then make their final cuts to the league-mandated 46-man roster limit by Sunday.

Hamilton and Toronto play their final exhibition games Friday. The Ticats host Ottawa while the Argos visit Montreal.

The Argos and Ticats will kick off the 2016 regular season June 23 at BMO Field.

Vidal Hazelton had Toronto's other touchdown. Lirim Hajrullah booted a field goal and convert while Zack Medeiros kicked two field goals and a convert. The other points came on a safety.

Tiquan Underwood scored Hamilton's touchdown. Brett Maher added two field goals and a convert while Cody Mandell kicked a field goal.

Maher's 30-yard field goal at 14:49 of the second staked Hamilton to a 13-10 half-time advantage. Quarterback Jeff Mathews engineered the 13-point quarter in rallying Ticats from an early 10-point deficit.

Mathews hit Underwood on a 50-yard touchdown pass at 4:05 before driving the Ticats to the Toronto 28- and 23-yard line, setting up Maher field goals of 35 and 37 yards. Mathews was 8-of-14 passing for 176 yards but also had two interceptions.

Hamilton starter Jeremiah Masoli was 6-of-9 passing for 43 yards.

Kilgore capped the game's opening 14-play, 77-yard drive with a 17-yard TD strike to Hazelton at 8:03 of the first. He then marched the offence to the Hamilton 30 before Hajrullah hit from 37 yards out at 14:42.

Ray played two series in the second, completing 1-of-3 passes for six yards. Ray missed much of last season following off-season shoulder injury but has been pain-free since the start of training camp.