For the third time in club history, Toronto FC will host Pride Night on Friday, June 7, when the team faces Sporting Kansas City at BMO Field. The night will support You Can Play, a project dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans. The night is part of MLS WORKS’ Soccer For All month, which takes place from May 22 to June 30 and showcases the collective efforts taking play throughout the League to foster more inclusive communities. Soccer For All signifies that everyone is welcome to MLS, regardless of race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status and emphasizes the League’s commitment to end discrimination.
“We are proud to welcome fans to BMO Field for our third annual Pride Night,” said Bill Manning, President, Toronto FC. “Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment values diversity, equality and inclusion across all our teams as well as on and off the field with Toronto FC. We look forward to celebrating Pride Night and driving positive social change with our passionate fans and the City of Toronto.”
Throughout the evening, Toronto FC and BMO Field will feature numerous elements to celebrate Pride Night including rainbow-themed ceremonial flags and corner flags. Members of You Can Play will attend and be involved in pre-match ceremonies. During the match, a You Can Play table will be in the concourse to provide fans with more information about the organization, along with an auction of signed and player worn Pride pre-match tops. A public service announcement featuring Toronto FC players will also be shown in-arena and shared on Toronto FC’s social media channels.
"Our valued partners at Toronto FC and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment have been a powerful voice in promoting an inclusive sport culture for LGBTQ athletes and fans,” says Ryan Pettengill, Executive Director, You Can Play. “Pride nights are an important part of that process, demonstrating that diversity should be celebrated, and that sport should be a welcoming place for all.”
Toronto FC players will wear specialty Pride apparel during warmups in support of MLS WORKS’ Soccer For All Campaign. Fans can bid on the player-worn Pride warmup apparel with proceeds going towards You Can Play. Toronto FC-branded Pride items will be available for purchase in the team store, with a percentage of proceeds going towards You Can Play. In addition, $5 from every ticket purchased at torontofc.ca/ticketpass using the promo code ALLFORONE will be donated to You Can Play.
For more information about You Can Play, click here. Fans can learn more about MLS WORKS’ Soccer For All campaign here.
