If you're visiting the city this year, why not watch a Toronto FC match?
You might not expect it but Toronto has a love for soccer — football, fútbol, footy, or calcio, as it's known in some countries — and you can experience that at a TFC game.
Whether you're coming from another part of Canada, somewhere in the U.S., or a country around the world, add a TFC match to your itinerary!
Here's what you need to know about attending a TFC game if you're visiting Toronto and want to experience "The Beautiful Game" in this city.
When does Toronto FC play?
The 2024 MLS regular season takes place across nine months of the year so you have lots of chances to see TFC play in the city.
Every team in the league plays 34 regular season games — 17 home and 17 away — with most matches kicking off on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. local time.
This year, the regular season runs from February 21 to October 19.
If you're in Toronto from July 26 to August 25, you'll be limited when it comes to watching a TFC game at BMO Field.
That's because MLS pauses for the Leagues Cup, a World Cup-style club competition featuring all LIGA MX and MLS teams.
TFC's only home game of the group stage is on Sunday, August 4.
You could catch more Leagues Cup matches in Toronto if the team advances in the tournament.
TFC's final regular season game will happen on Saturday, October 5 in Toronto.
After the regular season ends in October, there are the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
MLS Cup Playoffs include Wild Card games, Round One games, Conference Semifinals games, Conference Final games and an MLS Cup game.
The postseason ends with the MLS Cup 2024 on Saturday, December 7.
So, you could watch a game in Toronto through October, November and even December if TFC makes it all the way.
Where does Toronto FC play?
TFC doesn't play right in the downtown core like the Blue Jays, Raptors and Maple Leafs.
The team's home stadium is BMO Field, located between Liberty Village and Lake Ontario in Exhibition Place at 170 Princes’ Boulevard.
Since the stadium is by the lake, be prepared for changing weather conditions and temperatures that can be quite cooler than downtown.
Also, BMO Field is a cash-free venue and only debit and credit cards — including contactless and mobile payment methods — are accepted.
How do you get Toronto FC tickets?
You can buy TFC tickets a few ways if you're visiting Toronto and want to watch a game.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, the Toronto FC app, and in person at BMO Field.
If you want to buy a ticket at the stadium, go to the BMO Field Ticket Office located on the northwest corner of the building by Gate 1.
It's open on game days, starting three hours before kick-off.
All tickets for TFC games are digital and will be scanned from your mobile devices at your entrance gate,
When buying through Ticketmaster, TFC ticket prices are typically around $20, $48, $74, $93, $125 and $130 depending on where the seats are.
Thinking of going to the TFC versus Inter Miami game to watch Lionel Messi? Get ready to pay hundreds of dollars more than usual for tickets.
How do you get to a Toronto FC game?
The cheapest way to get to a TFC game is walking, if you're able and not too far from the stadium.
If you'd rather take public transit, the TTC costs $3.35 for a single fare or $3.30 when using credit or debit cards.
You can take the subway to Union Station and then walk — it's around 50 minutes — or take the 509 streetcar to BMO Field.
The 509 streetcar, 511 streetcar, 307 bus and 363 bus go to the Exhibition Loop stop which is just a two-minute walk to BMO Field.
That's an option if you're coming from the east.
Also, the 501 streetcar, 29 bus, 329 bus and 929 bus go to the Dufferin Gate Loop stop at Dufferin Street and Springhurst Avenue if you're coming from the west.
It's about a 10-minute walk to BMO Field.
GO Transit operates trains to and from Exhibition Station, right across from BMO Field.
Exhibition Station is on the Lakeshore West line which you can take in Toronto from Mimico Station in Etobicoke or from Union Station in the downtown core.
Union Station is Toronto's transit hub and you can get there with the GO Train from other parts of the city including:
- Rouge Hill, Guildwood, Eglington, Scarborough and Danforth Stations on the Lakeshore East line
- Downsview Park station on the Barrie Line
- Old Cummer and Oriole Stations on the Richmond Hill line
- Milliken, Agincourt and Kennedy Stations on the Stouffville line
It costs around $3 to $9 for a single fare, depending on where you start the trip.
There are also Bike Share Toronto locations around the city where you can rent a bike and ride to BMO Field.
It costs $1 to unlock the bike and then $0.12 per minute for classic bicycles or $0.20 per minute for e-bikes.
If you want a bike for the whole day, it costs $15 for a Day Pass that gets you unlimited 90-minute rides on a bicycle for 24 hours.
What is there to do at a Toronto FC game?
If you don't just want to watch a TFC game when you're at BMO Field, you can eat and drink at the stadium.
There are so many places to get food throughout the stadium that have flavours showcasing many of the cultures that make up Toronto.
Food Junction locations in sections 105, 107, 116, 127, and 208 offer:
- all-dressed crispy fried chicken sandwich on a butter-toasted brioche bun
- grilled beef burger topped with bacon and caramelized onion relish
- foot-long taquito stuffed with in-house braised pork birria and cheese
Food Junction also has stadium staples like chicken tenders, hot dogs, nachos and popcorn.
Panini stands in sections 107, 124, and 206 offer:
- carved-to-order porchetta sandwich
- braised beef grilled cheese
- smoked meat sandwich on an onion bun
- smoked turkey club
- vegan mushroom focaccia
- steak banh mi with Asian slaw
Frites stand in section 110 serves triple-cooked, house-cut fries, including:
- jerk chicken poutine
- steak and ale pie chips
- vegan curry chips
- braised pork birria fries
- classic poutine
Also, Real Sports At The Game offers BBQ-style items including smoked brisket sandwiches and riblets with fries.
When it comes to drinks, the King Club bar located in section 107 serves local craft beer and cider from Toronto's Mill St. Brewery and Brickworks Ciderhouse.
Concession stands serve bottled non-alcoholic beverages and Tim Hortons coffee.
You can get merch at the game to commemorate your visit to Toronto or to get into the supporter's spirit at the match.
TFC products, like jerseys and scarves, are available at nine merchandise locations in BMO Field.
If you're going to a TFC game between August 16 and September 2, you could visit the Canadian National Exhibition — known as the CNE and The Ex to locals — which happens right outside the stadium.
It's a massive fair that features rides, games, food, concerts, shopping, exhibits, air shows, and more.
Enjoy!
