The Toronto FIFA Fan Festival stopped letting people in on Saturday evening after its 20,000-people capacity was reached.
A post from organizers on social media said, “entry will resume once space opens up.” They did not provide a specific time when that would be.
A spokesperson for the city confirmed to CP24 that Saturday was the first time the venue was at capacity.
“Once capacity is reached, no additional guests can enter. Entry was paused to keep attendees, staff and volunteers safe — that remains our top priority," the spokesperson said in a statement.
“We know this is disappointing and thank fans for their patience.”
A CP24 assignment editor who was in line to enter the Fan Festival said ticketholders who were barred from entering were angry, describing the scene as “pure chaos.”
He said police are turning away people at the entrance.
“If you have a free ticket, there’s nothing we can do, that’s the nature of the beast,” one staff member using a megaphone is heard telling the crowd that has formed at the entrance of the venue.
Saturday’s live match broadcasts featured the final World Cup group contests: Panama vs. England, Croatia vs. Ghana and Colombia vs. Portugal.
Police briefly closed the roads outside of the venue for vehicles.
