Toronto FC made an announcement today saying that the match between TFC and Real Madrid on August 7th at BMO Field is sold out. Not surprising really, but nice to see.
"We're excited to host one of the most popular and successful football teams in the world,” said Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. "Our players are looking forward to the challenge of playing against a club of Real Madrid's caliber.”
“The Real Madrid friendly will be an unforgettable experience for Toronto FC and soccer supporters. It’s a great once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch this summer’s hottest event in one of the best and most intimate stadiums in North America.”
The other item of note is that Real Madrid must play their "stars" for at least 45 minutes. Meaning fans will get a chance to see Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. Here's the rest of the Toronto FC press release:
Toronto FC’s friendly match agreement will have Real Madrid summer transfers play a minimum of 45 minutes unless injured. With the recent addition of 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year, the Toronto FC versus Real Madrid game gives soccer supporters a chance to see the best in the world in Toronto.
Anselmi added that given the magnitude of this event, it will contribute significant economic impact and tourism dollars to the City of Toronto.
Last summer’s 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game hosted by Toronto FC at BMO Field generated more than $23 million in economic contribution and tourism for the city. It’s expected that the Real Madrid game will eclipse that mark.
For this special event, Toronto FC will install a temporary natural grass playing surface on top of BMO Field's existing FieldTurf. The investment will cost the club approximately $250,000 for the single-use installation.
GOLTV Canada also announced that it will produce and broadcast the Toronto FC versus Real Madrid friendly in High-Definition.
As Canada’s all-soccer network dedicated to the Canadian perspective on the global game, GOLTV will be available in freeview on all major cable carriers for the month of August. Presently, more than five million households across the country who subscribe to digital television will have access to the channel. ESPN will also broadcast the friendly match in the United States. ESPN is carried in 96 million households.
The “Spanish Giants” become the sixth international visitor to BMO Field. Real Madrid, the most successful team in Spanish football has won a record 31 La Liga (Spanish first division) titles, 17 Spanish Cups, and a record nine European Cups (now referred to as UEFA Champions League) and two UEFA Cups (now referred to as UEFA Europa League).
The other note of interest to soccer fans is that GOLTV will be broadcasting the game. No surprise really since MLSE owns most of the TV station, but it will be on free preview. Great to see that they will bring some nice programming in that free time.
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Article says that GOL TV will produce the match in HD. But GOl TV does not have a HD channel? Big surprise coming our way - I hope???
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