BMO Field - from 30k to 40k seats

[Hamilton_Red]

The one thing that no one has mentioned is the size and wealth of the Toronto market compared to Montreal and Edmonton. The fact of the matter is that Toronto is the largest and wealthiest market in Canada, as well as the financial and media capital with the most corporate head offices and the potential for corporate sponsorship. The reason Toronto is the only city in Canada to have both an NBA and MLB team is it is the only city which can support these teams. Montreal didn't support the Expos which is why they left town, and the support for the Impact is poor compared to the crowds TFC gets. You could charge triple the ticket prices for World Cup games in Toronto and still sell more seats (and generate more revenue) than in Montreal. The corporate sponsorship for stadium suite sales is in Toronto, not Montreal. Toronto is now the 4th largest city in North America, behind only Mexico City, New York and LA, and the GTA will continue to exhibit significant population growth given that Canada accepts approx 249,000 immigrants per year. Toronto has the population base, the fan base, and the corporate base. There is absolutely no way that World Cup games won't be held in Toronto.

If it is so big an wealthy then it should build a World Cup class stadium. If Toronto ever gets the Olympics it will be the 4th Canadian city to host it... Toronto's infrastructure is very poor and showing no signs of being rectified with the DF era about to unfold. If a Canadian city is dropped it will be Toronto. Montreal and Edmonton will have no trouble filling the games - having a French speaking host city will be very attractive. Corporate sponsors are a Global level with FIFA - companies in host cities don't matter. Also remember that this is a US hosted event with a few game outsourced to the poor weak neighbours.

Further to that the Canadian National team will want a home base...Edmonton is the better home base to get 75k Canadian fans out and not more away supporters.