Stadium Experiences - Tim Horton's Field and BMO Field

[ALuCsRED]

This week I've been travelling and had the opportunity to catch the Ottawa Redblacks vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Horton's Field yesterday.  It was my first time watching a game in Hamilton.  Today, I caught my second game ever in Toronto (Alouettes at Argos).  Last year I got to see the Bombers win @ BMO Field.   I wanted to share my experiences at both venues.  

For both venues, I bought tickets on StubHub.  Tickets supplied are printable pdf's, but both stadiums could scan them off my phone.  There were no Apple wallet or scan code options for either ticket.

Tim Horton's Field

Area and Parking: The drive into the stadium went through a heavy industrial area into  a residential neighbourhood of older row homes.  I got to the game very early (2.5hrs before game time).  Parking was easy to find for $15, about 2 blocks from the stadium at a local grocery store parking lot (Freshco).   Other parking in the area was $20, some of which is on the front yards of the residential properties.

First 1/2 hour: The stadium south gates open 1 1/2  hrs before gametime, but you couldn't walk into seats of the stadium until 1 hr before game time.  The announcer reminds everyone every 10 minutes before the game.  The south concourse was open and had a steam whistle which blew throughout the game, beer gardens with picnic tables (ticketed area), and plenty of open air beer vendors.

1 Hour to Game time: I was seated on the east grandstands.  Walking through the concourse on the east side, I went through a lounge area of patio furniture with an eclectic band (bass, washboard, and guitar?), through a craft beer area with standing bar tables, picked up some fresh chicken tacos, walked past the Coor Light Bar (with DJ and it's own music) and found my seat.  

Gametime:  Big Canada flag, 10 yr old anthem singer (she was very good), flyover with a Hercules midway through the anthem, then again before kickoff.   The game looked like it was the two worst teams in the league playing.  Wait, it was the two worst teams in the league playing.  The seats were comfy.  I was near the 10 yard line.  The seats could be turned towards center field, but aren't.

Crowd: The crowd was all dressed in Ti-cat wear, was loud, thirsty, and boisterous.  The crowd does not deserve an 0-7 team.  They were friendly considering I was decked in Bomber Blue.  

Scoreboard: The only Video board is at the north end and was used in full resolution (no stats or ads on the board).  The music and videos were well produced throughout the evening. There were lots of contests, crowd involvement, videos, and entertainment.

Hamilton "Go-To" Sing Along Song - Like a Rhinestone Cowboy 

Pet Peeve - The DJ's music could be heard at my seat the whole game.  I don't know how this isn't considered artificial noise in the stadium.  It was as loud as bass of  the music between the plays (from the PA system)

Traffic leaving - quick and easy to get out of the area.  

 

BMO Field

Area and Parking: I took the Go Train to the stadium from Mississauga as the Exhibition (CNE) was on.   It's Toronto's version of the Red River Ex.  The train worked well ($14 return), and it was a quick walk into the game. The web was showing $25 to $30 for parking.

1 Hour to Game time:  Walked into the stadium, no tailgating in the normal area due to the lot being taken over for the CNE.  The food was good (chicken tenders) and the 28 oz Stellas beer for $16.25 hit the spot.  The cup, with it's unique lid is great (Look ma, no spills).

Gametime:  Small contingent on the field, much smaller flag pulled out across a part of the field.  Rickey Ray was on fire (vintage 2003 Eskie Rickey Ray finding holes in D).  Durant had one good drive but gave up the INT.  Toronto special teams looked good, MTL not so much (gave up kick return fumble for a quick score TD).  2nd half was only about killing time.  Seats are uncomfortable and there are no cup holders.   

Crowd:  West side looked quite empty.  Upper deck on the east side was more filled.  The seats on the east side at field level looked sweet.  Some guy on the west side had an air horn which he pumped.  You could hear the thing through the whole stadium.a

Scoreboard:  I was further away, but the board is much smaller at BMO.  Only one screen at the north end.  T

Toronto "Go-To" Sing Along Song - didn't notice one

Pet Peeve - I had to go to the main concourse for 50/50 tickets.  Apparently the wifi didn't work at the upper levels.  A runner up pet peeve is that the 28 oz beers are not sold after halftime.  

Traffic leaving - Busy lineups at the train, but with the CNE, not sure whether everyone was from the game or the fair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mark H.]

Nice report. You should've hooked up with Bluto @ BMO. He be good people. 

[ALuCsRED]

13 hours ago, Mark H. said:

Nice report. You should've hooked up with Bluto @ BMO. He be good people. 

I tried last year when I went to the Bombers game at BMO field.  He wasn't checking the MBB board all that much at that time.  It all worked out though.  I ended up spending halftime chatting with Wade Miller and Ryan Fry in a suite.  

[bearpants]

On 8/20/2017 at 0:39 PM, ALuCsRED said:

I tried last year when I went to the Bombers game at BMO field.  He wasn't checking the MBB board all that much at that time.  It all worked out though.  I ended up spending halftime chatting with Wade Miller and Ryan Fry in a suite.  

Ryan Fry was in a suit?... Wade Miller was in a suit?.... you were in a suit???.... EVERYONE WAS WEARING A SUIT!?!

these are all questions that need answering IMMEDIATELY!!

[ALuCsRED]

Suite.  

Learn English better.  Or as a guy in my high school wrote at the top of his essay... Inglish.

 

[blue_gold_84]

Attended the GC in Toronto last year and I absolutely loved BMO Field as a venue. Getting to and from the game was easy, the facility itself is really nice with solid amenities and a clean layout. The seats, at least in the endzone, felt cheap, though.

[Brandon]

No cupholders?!?!?

[bearpants]

15 hours ago, ALuCsRED said:

Suite.  

Learn English better.  Or as a guy in my high school wrote at the top of his essay... Inglish.

 

me inglish not the goodest yesterdays...

[JCon]

8 minutes ago, bearpants said:

me inglish not the goodest yesterdays...

your not the only won.

[blue_gold_84]

11 hours ago, Brandon said:

No cupholders?!?!?

Yeah, it's ridiculous. I still don't understand how something so obvious was overlooked.

[johnzo]

On 8/19/2017 at 9:16 PM, ALuCsRED said:

Crowd: The crowd was all dressed in Ti-cat wear, was loud, thirsty, and boisterous.  The crowd does not deserve an 0-7 team.  They were friendly considering I was decked in Bomber Blue. 

y'know, I've met TiCat fans in Ottawa, Montreal, and BC for the Grey Cup.  They love their team but they've also been good folks to hang with.

[Fraser]

On 20/08/2017 at 1:39 PM, ALuCsRED said:

I tried last year when I went to the Bombers game at BMO field.  He wasn't checking the MBB board all that much at that time.  It all worked out though.  I ended up spending halftime chatting with Wade Miller and Ryan Fry in a suite.  

How  did you swing that? 

 

I was at Tim Horton field for the last bomber game and thought  many of the  same things. I parked about  10 minutes away on the street for free though.

Edited August 22, 2017 by Fraser

[Booch]

I just think Hamilton dropped the ball building THF....very low end looking and does nothing for creating a real professional look and feel...on the field or in the stands.

Seen and been in JUCO and high school stadiums that seemed and looked nicer and more "pro" looking

[ALuCsRED]

3 hours ago, Fraser said:

How  did you swing that? 

 

I was at Tim Horton field for the last bomber game and thought  many of the  same things. I parked about  10 minutes away on the street for free though.

Just lucky to sneak into the the right section (my ticket was for the upper deck).  

I ended up sitting behind the bench (instead of the upper deck) and was decked out in Bombers gear.  As I went to the concourse for another 28 oz Stella, I had to walk past the suite and Wade started thanking me for supporting the Bombers.   During the small talk, he said little Fry was with him in the suite.  I asked for a picture with Fry as my Dad was a big curling fan.  Next thing, I was invited into the suite while Wade took our picture with my phone.   

 

Edited August 22, 2017 by ALuCsRED

[bearpants]

14 hours ago, ALuCsRED said:

Just lucky to sneak into the the right section (my ticket was for the upper deck).  

I ended up sitting behind the bench (instead of the upper deck) and was decked out in Bombers gear.  As I went to the concourse for another 28 oz Stella, I had to walk past the suite and Wade started thanking me for supporting the Bombers.   During the small talk, he said little Fry was with him in the suite.  I asked for a picture with Fry as my Dad was a big curling fan.  Next thing, I was invited into the suite while Wade took our picture with my phone.   

 

Ryan Fry might be short.... but I wouldn't call him little! (I'm assuming that was Wade's description)

The only really stupid thing about THF has gotta be putting both teams on the same sideline... it just looks so peewee...

[ALuCsRED]

Ryan Fry is little to me.

Argos have both teams on the same sideline.  Same with Ottawa.

I'm at the TOronto FC game at BMO tonight.  Much livelier place.  Still no cup holders and uncomfortable chairs.

Edited August 24, 2017 by ALuCsRED

[Jpan85]

All the east teams have both teams on same side

[SpeedFlex27]

On ‎8‎/‎22‎/‎2017 at 3:43 PM, Booch said:

I just think Hamilton dropped the ball building THF....very low end looking and does nothing for creating a real professional look and feel...on the field or in the stands.

Seen and been in JUCO and high school stadiums that seemed and looked nicer and more "pro" looking

Ours is a palace compared to THF.  And Winnipeg is cheap. Now we know there's a city who is cheaper.

[Noeller]

11 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Ours is a palace compared to THF.  And Winnipeg is cheap. Now we know there's a city who is cheaper.

Not to go there again, but YOURS is a giant **** hole that needs to be bulldozed.....

[blue_gold_84]

14 hours ago, Jpan85 said:

All the east teams have both teams on same side

I can't stand that. Just seems bush league.

[SpeedFlex27]

13 hours ago, Noeller said:

Not to go there again, but YOURS is a giant **** hole that needs to be bulldozed.....

No, you're right & Calgary is tuck with it. I refuse to go to a game at McMahon anymore. I think a lot of fans are staying away because the stadium is a dump.

Edited August 25, 2017 by SpeedFlex27