A record 45,000 people are expected to attend a Toronto FC game featuring Lionel Messi this weekend, providing a “real life test” for the city’s preparedness for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Mayor Olivia Chow says.
The game against Inter Miami is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday.
It marks the first time that fans will be allowed to sit in the new temporary seats that have expanded BMO Field’s capacity by approximately 17,000 for the World Cup.
It also coincides with an already busy weekend in the city with two Blue Jays home games and the annual Sporting Life 10K also expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the downtown core. The Don Valley Parkway is also closed for maintenance all weekend and city officials are urging residents to utilize public transit.
“This weekend will serve as a real life test run with a number of high attendance sporting events in town,” Chow said during a news conference on Friday.
Chow’s remarks on Friday came as officials provide new details about the TTC’s World Cup transit plans.
The TTC says it will deploy more than 600 event ambassadors across Toronto for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The transit agency says that ambassadors, identifiable by red TTC jerseys, will be stationed at “high-traffic locations” during the tournament to answer questions, and offer on-the-spot support.
“We are expecting over 2 million more TTC trips than usual throughout the World Cup,” Chow said.
TTC CEO Mandeep S. Lali said transit service will be central to the city’s tournament operations.
“We’ve been preparing for this moment for many months, and our focus is clear: deliver the service our customers need, provide simple and reliable information, and respond decisively as conditions evolve,” he said. “We are ready.”
The TTC says it will also increase service during the tournament, including on the 509 Harbourfront, 511 Bathurst, 29/929 Dufferin and 504 King routes, along with expanded subway service on Lines 1 and 2.
The agency is also working with the City of Toronto on transit priority measures, including new RapidTO lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin streets. Officials say more than 50,000 riders are already benefiting, with trips shortened by up to seven minutes.
Chow is urging commuters that transit is still the best choice to get around.
“For Torontonians, whether you’re lucky enough to be headed to the stadium for a match or going down to the Fan Fest or watch party in the pub, party or local streets, transit will be the way to go,” she said.
With just over 30 days until kickoff, the TTC says it is finalizing and testing service plans. The Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami CF match on Saturday will be used as a full-scale dry run to test readiness, service levels and coordination ahead of the tournament.
