Originally posted on RBB site Toronto FC announced Monday, that two world-renowned football clubs will be making their debut at BMO Field playing in two different International Friendlies against Toronto FC. Wednesday May 23, Benfica will kick off against TFC. The Portuguese club based in Lisbon was founded in 1908 and remains one of the big three clubs in Portugal. Benfica has the biggest fan base and the largest number of registered associates among Portuguese clubs, also having the largest number of supporters outside of its own country numbering 12 million worldwide. Currently sitting third in the SuperLiga, they are managed by Fernando Santos and boast big name players such as Nuno Gomes, Rui Costa and Simao. “We are ecstatic to bring one of the most recognizable clubs in Portugal to Toronto”, said Toronto FC Director of Team Operations Paul Beirne. “We are aware of the number of supporters Benfica has outside of Portugal, and we know a lot of them are right here in our city, making this a perfect fit for Toronto FC.” On Wednesday July 25, Aston Villa will visit BMO Field. Villa is one of the most oldest and storied football clubs in England. Founding members of the Football League in 1888 and a member of the Premier League since 1992, Aston Villa will prepare for their 2007-08 Premiership season with a stop in Toronto. “Obviously, anytime you can bring a Premiership team to North America, it is a major event. We couldn’t be happier to host Aston Villa and we hope our fans will be just as pleased,” said Beirne. “Toronto FC is committed to bringing in quality international teams, and we know both Villa, and Benfica fit that bill.” Lead by Manager Martin O’Neill, Aston Villa currently sits 11th in the Premiership and have numerous honours to their credit. European Cup Winners in 1982, European Super Cup Winners in 1982-83, InterToto Cup Winners in 2001, and they boast seven FA Cup titles. Villa features international talent such as Thomas Sorensen, Gareth Barry, and Olof Mellberg. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Saturday May 12, when the BMO Field Box Office will open at 9 am. Following that, tickets can be purchased on-line at www.ticketmaster.ca beginning at noon.
Great to hear about some key teams, that mean so much to so many, are coming to Toronto for a game with TFC.... This will no doubt help elevate the news about TFC and MLS in the city.....Noting that I like both teams coming, and would cheer for either in most all other games I watch, now they are coming to Toronto to play the only team that matters to this fan, I bleed RED all the way..... TFC.. GO RED!! Let's not forget who the home team is all!
For season ticketholders this is great, but they counted each game as 2 vouchers (A+B for Benfica, and C+D for Villa). That's 2 less games.
What do you mean they counted each game as two vouchers? So instead of 20 events like they advertised it would be 18? If thats the case I'd be pretty disapointed.
Here's the email I got: So I'm guessing Vouchers B+D are junk now and there will be no more friendlies this year.
Wow. That's a bit of a bummer...and the third game you get as part of the package isn't even a TFC game! U20 Canada-Argentina, 2 international friendlies and 15 MLS home games for the price of 20 games What about the people that bought the "international" game package? There was only 5 MLS games and the U20 friendly plus 4 international games, what happens to those packages?
Im gonna say something really cheap now. I think I should get some sort of a refund. I know $200 for 18 events that are gonna be awesome is a great deal. But I dont think its right for MLSE to advertise something and not fully deliver. I mean I don't care if they could get two more international opponants that are not the level of AV and Beneficia. Im not an expert but how hard would it be to organize a friendly with a team in South America?
It was stated previously that unused tickets will be credited towards your ticket purchase for the next season.
But they're not unused tickets. They are null and void. I don't think there will be any credits. The truth is that these matches are worth twice the average cost per ticket. Granted, that can get expensive for those pricey tickets but where else in the world am I going to get to see Benfica or Villa for $10 x 2. It may not be quite as originally advertised but in all honesty, I'm surprised we were able to get teams with this history and prestige. B
Ill bet they still schedule more friendlies; But they'll be against high profile clubs and MLSE will charge out the ass for them. Toronto-Celtic is going to be 200 bucks a ticket.
Maybe next year. I'm sure they thought that they were going to be able to sell more tickets at a hiked premium but then season tickets went through the roof and presto, the international friendlies were not quite the cash cow they'd hoped they would be due to those $10 tickets. Ah well. Live and learn. It will be interesting to see how this first year experience will influence their ticketing systems next season. B
I'm a season ticket holder and my seats cost around $45 each for TFC games. The Benfica and Aston Villa games are $130 for the same seats! I guess that makes up for the 2 internationals instead of 5... The Canada vs Argentina game should be sweet too...they should organize more or these. The Canada U-20 should be hosting Portugal or Brazil...
Considering the prices for the friendlies: I think the season tickets were a great deal. My seats say $48 each on the voucher, but they would go for $154 each for the friendly. But I still wish we had two more friendlies.
It is EXACTLY as advertised. They've always advertised it as "up to 20 games", which left the possibility open that it would be less.
The Villa game will be a good one. I'm not a fan of theirs but have seen quite a bit of them this season and would go so far as to predict a top six, European, place for them next season. Martin O'Neil is doing a great job and with additional investment I can see them challenging Man. U, Chelsea, Liverpool & Arsenal for a Champion's league slot in 2007/08.
Actually, when they advertised, they indicated "up to 5 Friendlies". They could have only had 1. While I am disappointed, I will still be happy to see Toronto FC beat Aston Villa
Looking to sell my seats to both games, i have 2 pairs of seats for each game. section 113, row 3, seats 2&3 (in corner) section 223, row 12, seats 3&4 (midfield)
Check this out! From what I was told by a season ticket holder, the prices are off the chart for this game!! Supposedly, the cheapest would be around $105 in the boonies! Is it worth it when you know that the best players are injured and not playing.... How much for your tickets?
people, I would keep your tickets to these games until Monday. I think by then, both games will be sold out and the demand for them will be so much. I have 2 seats in the $154/ticket range. I think if it sells out, I can get at least $200/each.
I have four tickets located in Section 223 Row 22 for the Toronto FC vs Benfica if any of you are interested, all seated together. They are dead centre and just looking to sell them for what I paid which is $591.25 (ticketmaster cost that I paid). Send me a PM if you are interested. Thanks, EC
section 113, row 3, seats 2&3 (in corner $110.00 per seat each game) section 223, row 12, seats 3&4 (midfield $195.oo per seat each game) i may be looking to unload both games so message me if you are interested
I posted on another thread a mesage about what I consider to be price gouging by Toronto FC. My first team has been, and always will be, Aston Villa. Although I have purchased tickets for the Villa friendly precisely because I am a Villa fan, I wouldn't pay prices that are 3,4,5 times what the same seat would cost for a regular-season game to see anyone else. This has also had the effect of turning me off supporting Toronto F.C. I will NOT even consider going to any games this season and, at the moment, I won't even bother watching on TV! Besides losing a potential fan, Toronto FC are sending a dangerous message. With such markups, are they saying that MLS games are only worth a fraction of an exhibition game against a 'real' team?