Enjoying those empty seats?

[greatwhitenorf]

Still not at the vacancy rate of a Blue Jays or Argos game, but quite a few empty seats yesterday so a great chance to move around and try out some new locations and contemplate things from new perspectives. Front row of the upper west side is very nice. From there we scoped out other desirable empties and plopped quite comfortably in second half sunshine halfway up the east side at midfield.

It was nice to put the feet up on the empty seats in front and recall doing the same in the early days with the Jays at the old CNE Stadium. They'd only get 12-15,000 most games and it was always lovely to stretch out on the first base side and check out chicks in shorts and halter tops. They don't wear halter tops nowadays(are nipples outlawed?). I miss them. TFC should sell them in the merch stands. They'd help fill up the empty seats probably.

Don't like the chairs on the rails at the bottom of the east side. That low view is not for me. Nice to see and hear a bit of the biff-bang of play up close but higher views show the scope and span of the game much better. I also prefer viewing from the west side because the sun is behind those stands and you're not squinting into the light.

The new sound system is obnoxiously loud. The drummer boys in the southwest corner remain an intrusive and unnecessary irrelevancy.

Why do MLSE persist in not sharing any proper information with us about the players, especially the visiting team? I like it when I watch an English league game and just before kickoff they have a graphic to show the starting line-ups in their playing positions. This information is available for the MLS telecast before the game so why don't we, the paying customers, get that up on the scoreboard?

It's not like there's a solution available by spending money. I've bought programs before, but since they are probably printed well in advance, it just lists the players names and if there's a recent change or addition, it likely won't be included.

I might browse through MLS sites to get this info before coming to a game, but there's probably many more casual fans who don't and you would think making this info available would help them enjoy the game better. A small, simple step to make the game-day experience more enjoyable. Takes nothing more than an effort to accomplish this.

And still not spending Nickel One on food or merchandise. No point in feeding this money-hungry corporate monster when it doesn't produce a winning product. Anywhere. Tailgating or a pint at the Barking Barnacle continue to be more sensible options.

[Pookie]

I remember how we used to get match previews in emails before the game. Now, those are seemingly hit or miss. Sometimes we get a notice, other times not. Seems like such a simple thing to do. If I were in their marketing, I would be including links to chants and the like as well in order to promote the "atmosphere"

Why is that important? The "atmosphere" is about all there is to sell the casual fan on. CCL success aside, media outlets are simply reporting the team as winless in 3 MLS starts, which is true but doesn't convey the intense compete level we saw vs LA and again vs Santos.

And a further reason, if you look at some of the new Soccer Specific Stadiums going up around the league, BMO Field is an absolute hole. North end expansion brought a few new sight lines but Fans aren't sheltered from wind and rain. Wait for the bugs in May in the upper deck. The acoustics are dependent on which way the wind is blowing and parking at the best of times is a nightmare... assuming of course that it isn't limited to the countless prescheduled events in the area. The location is convenient for the TTC, when it is running, just not if you live anywhere north of the city.

sigh

That said, I did enjoy my new cup holder (seriously) in the North End and the sloped seating makes it a great sightline to view the game. I can only hope that the 10-15 year plan includes a better stadium (perhaps 2 levels enclosed with a roof with standing permitted on level 1 with sloped seating in level 2) in a better location.

The hassle associated with getting to the games is becoming more of a headache than the results on the pitch.

[ensco]

I like the extra bit of height/perspective you get low in the upper deck on the west side, and also in the north stands.

It is amazing how different the conditions (ie wind, temperature) can be for the fans in the east and west stands. In the San Jose game, the people in the west stands froze, the fans in the east stands not so much. But Wednesday night for Santos Laguna, it was the opposite.

The east is generally better spring and fall, when you want the direct sun. But the heat and glare in day games make the west side a lot better, in the summer.

[ryan]

I do despise trying to get to matches. I can't stand Fat Ford's notion of the "war on the car" when it takes me over 1 hour to get to BMO from Yonge & Eg, but I drove it yesterday in under 15 minutes.

I mean it does suck to drive during peak hours in the city (which is about half the day), but the TTC is a pretty shitty alternative, even with the new trains.


For me the non sellouts is a bit of a bonus, because as like the OP said, you can sit where you want. I got my SSH in 221. Managed to move down to the front row cause nobody wanted to sit near the camera guy, but that was no bother to me. Then moved to the front row of the North stand to watch the reds attack, much like I did during the San Jose match.

Lastly, I do second the drummers and being annoying. I will vacate to more northerly seating more frequently as long as they are rattling my ears off.

[Huyton]

After watching for three years from the top of 111 (row 31 or thereabouts), I'm enjoying life in row 15.

I also like section 127...very quick to exit the stadium, or get down to the beer garden after the match. At the Santos Laguna game, we were also somewhat sheltered. Although the rain came down, we didn't feel the rain. By comparison to some things I heard, we were quite comfortable.

We also don't get the sun in our eyes, and the team seems to like to play toward the North in the 2nd half.

We're also far enough away from the drummers that we can completely ignore them, apart from feeling very sorry for the people sitting close to them.


If I had any complaint about the game day experience, it would be the loud and totally obnoxious noise being emitted near the beer garden after a game.

I used to enjoy going for a pint and a chat about the game with my brother and a couple of friends while the parking lots emptied out and the traffic died down.

But we don't do this anymore. And it looks like a lot of others agree. The area by the Food Building used to be jammed with people enjoying a final beer before heading out, but it's not that this year.

After a game, my throat is sore from cheering, chanting, singing and yelling...the last thing I really want to do is to yell at the people around me.

[rocker]

The new sound system is definitely way too fucking loud. I sit a few sections over from where the new set of speakers are hanging on the light post north west end. I swear I have to put my mouth to the ear of my guest to have any sort of conversation before the game. We like to show up an hour before to watch the warmups and also have social time before the match. But both my dad and brother found it hard to hear what I was saying when were sitting next to each other. Why do they need to crank it so loud? is it to pump us up? I understand, but it's background music, so it should be at background music levels. It was at "concert levels" in the two games I've been to. I'm not attending a concert.

[Pookie]

^ maybe they want them loud so as to be able to fight through the wind which it typically blowing in off the lake?

Either or, point well taken. There are competing concerts too from the pre-game stuff to the stuff outside gate 1

[jazzy]

The new sound system is definitely way too fucking loud. I sit a few sections over from where the new set of speakers are hanging on the light post north west end. I swear I have to put my mouth to the ear of my guest to have any sort of conversation before the game. We like to show up an hour before to watch the warmups and also have social time before the match. But both my dad and brother found it hard to hear what I was saying when were sitting next to each other. Why do they need to crank it so loud? is it to pump us up? I understand, but it's background music, so it should be at background music levels. It was at "concert levels" in the two games I've been to. I'm not attending a concert.

thats sad, because we still can't hear the speakers much at the south and east end,...it seems instead of simply adding speakers at the south end, then lowering the volume, they simply pumped up the volume of the present speakers making them useless to everyone.......another cheap brainchild move of some overpaid FO...bum kisser. AND why even have the speakers if they only could add to the video screen incoming and outgoing substitutions....I've yet to understand any of it . It's simple hust insert simple graphics as on Tv...... also as mentioned above the starting line-ups with simple graphics....duh!

[lobo]

whats with all the hate in this thread for drummers and loud music? seriously. it ain't the public library.

[ensco]

whats with all the hate in this thread for drummers and loud music? seriously. it ain't the public library.

Disagree strongly. There is a line, and they are crossing over it.

Who is the genius at MLSE who thinks that everyone is looking for a nightclub experience at a sports event? There are a lot of people who aren't single and 20 years old, and who go as part of a social experience.

They've killed the ability of people to talk at the ACC too, and it's a huge factor in why the platinums are empty for the start of periods.

[Roogsy]

^ maybe they want them loud so as to be able to fight through the wind which it typically blowing in off the lake?

Either or, point well taken. There are competing concerts too from the pre-game stuff to the stuff outside gate 1

I know what will solve the problem. A roof.

[GBV]

I'm at almost every home game so don't often get to see them on TV.
Couldn't go to yesterday's. I was floored and slightly embarrassed with how empty it was. Wowza.
(Looking over from 114 when you're there ... it doesn't look quite so barren as it does with the straight-on camera shots.)

But you double season ticket prices in five years ... that's what you get.
(Thanks guys!)

[lobo]

Disagree strongly. There is a line, and they are crossing over it.

Who is the genius at MLSE who thinks that everyone is looking for a nightclub experience at a sports event? There are a lot of people who aren't single and 20 years old, and who go as part of a social experience.

They've killed the ability of people to talk at the ACC too, and it's a huge factor in why the platinums are empty for the start of periods.

you disagree with me, strongly ... so you think it IS the public library? who is crossing what line? really, i have no clue what all the complaints in this thread are all about ... my game day experience at BMO has only ever included love for the drummers, and i've never encountered music so loud that i could not talk to people nearby, and i'm far from my 20's, in fact i hardly even notice the background music, except i did sing along with 3 Little Birds during pre-game ... bmo field nightclub? we must be watching these games in 2 different stadiums. but seriously, acoustics are wacky in that place so not all that surprising. i still don't get the hate for drummers.

[Rudy]

you disagree with me, strongly ... so you think it IS the public library? who is crossing what line? really, i have no clue what all the complaints in this thread are all about ... my game day experience at BMO has only ever included love for the drummers, and i've never encountered music so loud that i could not talk to people nearby, and i'm far from my 20's, in fact i hardly even notice the background music, except i did sing along with 3 Little Birds during pre-game ... bmo field nightclub? we must be watching these games in 2 different stadiums. but seriously, acoustics are wacky in that place so not all that surprising. i still don't get the hate for drummers.

i agree with lobo. i'm near the north west end, and i dont think the sound system is loud at all. it's part of the atmosphere and the experience. i notice the drummers on occassion, but i dont think they're intrusive.

peope are getting way too sensitive. i happen to love the naming of the starting 11. and the louder and more energetic, the better.

[J .]

only going to get worse if the reds keep losing.

[DOMIN8R]

I think that there is some confusion about which sound system some people in this thread are talking about. It appears that there is a new "dance club" system that has been installed and is used post game to create some sort of nightclub vibe behind the north stands pre, and mostly post, match. It's very loud and impossible to have a conversation at the carlsberg wagon.

But I digress the original topic was empty seats.

[ensco]

i still don't get the hate for drummers.

No issue here with drummers.

[Kooper]

only going to get worse if the reds keep losing.

What do you mean 'Keep Loosing'? MLSE has a plan to put a winning team on the field.

[lobo]

The new sound system is obnoxiously loud. The drummer boys in the southwest corner remain an intrusive and unnecessary irrelevancy.

Lastly, I do second the drummers and being annoying. I will vacate to more northerly seating more frequently as long as they are rattling my ears off.

We're also far enough away from the drummers that we can completely ignore them, apart from feeling very sorry for the people sitting close to them.

No issue here with drummers.

sorry ensco ... my question was not specifically directed to you, but to the above commentary earlier in this thread

lots of drummers at BMO field, personally i'm glad for it

[J .]

What do you mean 'Keep Loosing'? MLSE has a plan to put a winning team on the field.

Im beginning to think this winning team they talk about is a myth along Sasquatch proportions.

[Brooker]

drummers... drummers....

what drummers are people talking about? i hope to god nobody is defending the tribal rhythm retards....

[james]

BMO field must have the worst weather effects in the League. Bad weather can often turn some fans away from attending games. Closing in the stadium and building roofs could help keep out the wind a bit, and rain off the fans. Another factor is tickets in some sections are way over priced specially when you consider how bad TFC have played over the passed 5 years (the bad start to this season makes me think this season will be no different) and how shitty our stadium is compared to some other stadiums in MLS, yet we STILL pay more for our tickets then most other team fans!

[james]

What do you mean 'Keep Loosing'? MLSE has a plan to put a winning team on the field.

seriously you haven't noticed we lost all 3 of our games this season??? I am not saying fire the coach and get all new players just yet, we have done that to much in the first 5 seasons, its time we actually try to build a decent team. But part of you must be thinking maybe MLSE have no idea how to create a winning team, maybe it just a big myth because the Leafs and Raptors have also been building a team for the last 3 years....where has it gotten them?? NO WHERE, THERE STILL SHIT!!!

[Darlofletch]

couldn't agree more about the dj they've got set up outside the north end beer garden. completely killed that off as a place to relax and meet people over a beer before or after the game. he was there last year as well with corporate sponsorship from miracle whip, that's disappeared, but he's still going. Inside the stadium, I'm right at the north west corner in front of the speakers, that one doesn't really bother me all that much.

I can take crappy football, or losing, it's this sort of shit, and moving the schedule around for friendlies that really turns me off the whole 'experience'.

I guess they see the empty seats as proof that the 'authentic football experience' without all this crap has no staying power, so they have to bring in all the extra bells and whistles and fully north americanise it. pricing isn't the problem, oh no.

[ryan]

It's the bullshit "value add" tactics that mostly spawned from Apple's rise from the grave. (perhaps someone else, i'm no business major)

Continue to overprice the shit out of your product, but add value to "justify it". So instead of reducing ticket price, just add value with DJ's and high profile friendlies, blah blah.

Everyone wants to be paying less because we generally have less than in years past, but no company can deal with that and expect to continue increasing profit year over year (anything less is unacceptable today), so thus you get value add junk you don't really want.

[Oldtimer]

I know what will solve the problem. A roof.

x1000

[DangerRed]

I know what will solve the problem. A roof.

Or winning. Winning solves everything. Run and tell that.

[Chris Wren]

A roof would be nice for acoustics, but I certainly loved the sunshine on Saturday. In our cooler months it's a nice bonus. I thought there was a good atmosphere at the game, 18 000 to see a bad team play early season with horrible transit issues, AGAIN!, isn't bad. It's going to take some wins to get people itching to get to BMO. Toronto sports fans are feeling a bit shell shocked at the moment, rightfully so.

[gomesv]

A roof would be nice for acoustics, but I certainly loved the sunshine on Saturday. In our cooler months it's a nice bonus. I thought there was a good atmosphere at the game, 18 000 to see a bad team play early season with horrible transit issues, AGAIN!, isn't bad. It's going to take some wins to get people itching to get to BMO. Toronto sports fans are feeling a bit shell shocked at the moment, rightfully so.

I don't believe there was 18,000 at this game for one second......maybe 15.....don't believe MLSE and their numbers...

[Roogsy]

Or winning. Winning solves everything. Run and tell that.

Winning? We talkin' about winning?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI