So you have your tickets, or plan to get them prior to kickoff, to see Canada take on Panama tonight at BMO Field. Now you might be wondering to yourself what sort of things can you do to take today from going to a match and turn it into an experience you won't soon forget. Well there are a number of options to explore.
Canada's official supporters group, the Voyageurs, would gladly welcome anyone to their pregame events since if you support Canada you are already a Voyageur whether you like it or not! The first option is to head down to Lamport Stadium between 1:30 and 2 if you are interested in joining in on a supporters pick up game (bring red and white shirts, $10) or if you just want to watch the game and meet some friendly faces they will be playing from 2-3.
Once the supporters game is over things move down to the Exhibition grounds where the official pregame gather is set to kick off at Gossip running from 4 until just before 7 when the supporters march will take place. The venue will be serving beer, burgers, and pizza but it is sure to be a very big crowd so if you are looking to claim some space the sooner you arrive the better.
There will also be a number of different bars around the area with a good crowd of supporters if you are not one for the larger crowd and more raucous atmosphere that will be at Gossip. It is a safe bet that any bar you can find filled with TFC supporters on game day will have at least some sort of Canadian contingent tonight.
Tonight the CSA will be holding a bit more of a pregame than they usually do which will include the chance to meet most of the members of Canada's bronze medal winning women's soccer team. They will be signing autographs and meeting fans outside of Gate 1 starting at 6 before heading in to the stadium to be honoured briefly just before the match kicks off.
Even if you don't come down for any pregame events do try and be in your seat in time to celebrate the women before kickoff and then cheer on the men for the entire 90 minutes of what is a massive game.