Toronto Stadium is returning to BMO Field roots as temporary seating gets removed

Torontonians are sharing their experience at the FIFA games and how the city handled everything. Siobhan Morris reports.

Toronto’s World Cup run is now over, and so is its temporary makeover.

Toronto Stadium is shedding its FIFA branding and returning to its name locals know best: BMO Field. In a statement to CTV News, the City of Toronto said Toronto Stadium is being converted back to BMO Field starting Friday.

The arena had to opt for the more generic name for the duration of the World Cup due to FIFA’s strict marketing rules and underwent a $146-million renovation, adding 17,000 temporary seats to accommodate the 45,000-seat requirement.

The city says FIFA’s exclusive use period ends on July 9, however, which is when the organization is expected to fully clear its presence from the stadium. Weeks later on July 20, the day after the soccer tournament concludes, FIFA’s branding will be fully scrapped from “the overall grounds.”

“Removal of the temporary seating expansion and lounges installed for the tournament has also begun, with completion targeted by July 31,” the statement reads.

Toronto Stadium hosted six games, including Canada’s first men’s World Cup game on home soil. During those six matches, 15 goals were scored.

According to FIFA, a total of 258,088 people attended the six matches at Toronto Stadium.

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is also starting to restore BMO Field to its original, pre-tournament state by bringing in its original signage and branding.

Though there are no more matches being held in Toronto, soccer fans can still experience the World Cup at the FIFA Fan Festival up until July 19. The city says some matches will continue to be broadcasted at Nathan Phillips Square.

With files from CTV News Toronto’s Phil Tsekouras