If your not going to have a game in Toronto then what's the point? Not sound like a self centrerd Torontonian, but you might as well not have it in Canada at all.
If your not going to have a game in Toronto then what's the point? Not sound like a self centrerd Torontonian, but you might as well not have it in Canada at all.
This is FIFA’s game. They use their leverage to force people to build big stadiums. It’s their core business model. It’s not corrupt either.Originally Posted by Richard
"There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics. With most players, tactics are missing. You can divide tactics into insight, trust, and daring." - Johan Cruyff
World Cup Venues
Kaliningrad Stadium 31,484 for 2018 World Cup
Central Stadium 35,000 for 2018 World Cup
Mordovia Arena 40,441 for 2018 World Cup
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium 41,042 for 2018 World Cup
Volgograd Arena 40,479 for 2018 World Cup
Rostov Arena 40,709 for 2018 World Cup
Kazan Arena 41,338 for 2018 World Cup
Cosmos Arena 40,882 for 2018 World Cup
Fisht Olympic Stadium 43,480 for 2018 World Cup
Otkritie Arena 41,465 for 2018 World Cup
Only two of Russia's Venues are over 45k in seating.
Khalifa International Stadium 40,000 for 2022 World Cup
Qatar Foundation Stadium 40,000 for 2022 World Cup
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium 40,000 for 2022 World Cup
Al Thumama Stadium 40,000 for 2022 World Cup
Al Wakrah Stadium 40,000 for 2022 World Cup
Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium 44,740 for 2022 World Cup
Only two of Qatar's Venues will be over 45k in seating.
I honestly don't think FIFA would care if we just said screw it we'll raise it to 36k only. There are so many large stadiums in the Bid FIFA is seeing dollar signs already they won't worry about the Venue size of BMO or the smaller Mexican Stadiums. If what you were concerned about were valid than I'm sure Russia wouldn't be allowed to be using 2 stadiums under 40k
Last edited by Kaz; 06-14-2018 at 11:13 AM.
Thanks Kaz, I was about to post something similar.
Here's a link with the 2018 WC stadium capacities: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_F...d_Cup#Stadiums
Here's a link to the same for 2014: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_F...rld_Cup#Venues
In soccer-mad Brazil, 6 stadiums had capacities under 45k.
2010 South Africa similar. I realize that's a bit different, they shouldn't expect quite as much from a soccer development project like South Africa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_F...rld_Cup#Venues
But how about 2006, in wealthy soccer-mad Germany? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_F...rld_Cup#Venues
Almost the same thing: 5 venues in the low-to mid 40k's.
There is a ton of precedent for having especially preliminary-round games in venues similar to the size that BMO Field will have, including temp seating. No-brainer for the largest city in Canada to be included, and the only one of three stadiums in Canada that's soccer-specific which has some benefits. We might get fewer games than Edmonton/Montreal and many US cities. We also might not get Canada games or other big draws, where FIFA will feel they can sell more tickets at a high demand & a high cost in Edmonton or Montreal. But I bet we will get some games in Toronto.
Sure there are lots of bigger stadiums in the NA united bid. However there are plenty of low-drawing games in the first rounds that might be risky in some huge stadiums in the US back country. They will probably still sell well, but how well? FIFA doesn't like seeing the empty seats and low sale/resale value that we have seen at some recent World Cup games.
Last edited by Auzzy; 06-14-2018 at 11:49 AM.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote