Canada versus Mexico soccer game attracts fans from all over the world
Fans were being asked to arrive at the stadium with plenty of time ahead of the game
Over 54,000 soccer fans descended on BC Place Friday afternoon to watch Canada's men's soccer team face off against Mexico in a FIFA qualifying match.
They were not shy about showing who they were cheering for.
Mexican fans bringing the noise before taking on Canada in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CONCACAF?src=hash">#CONCACAF</a> qualifier. <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcnewsbc">@cbcnewsbc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbc?src=hash">#cbc</a> <a href="https://t.co/yAyh6D7cVn">pic.twitter.com/yAyh6D7cVn</a>
—@KamilKaramaliBut Canada had a few supporters too.
Girls soccer team from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Surrey?src=hash">#Surrey</a> trying to bring the noise for Canada, despite being outnumbered. <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcnewsbc">@cbcnewsbc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbc?src=hash">#cbc</a> <a href="https://t.co/lIQWPHRJ1h">pic.twitter.com/lIQWPHRJ1h</a>
—@KamilKaramaliFans arrived from all over the place. Many drove from the U.S., mostly from Seattle, Oregon and California.
Others flew in from Toronto and Mexico, taking advantage of the long weekend.
For some Mexican fans, watching their favourite soccer players up close was a dream come true. A few were even lucky enough to see the Mexican soccer players waive from their hotel-room balcony from across the street.
Routine security
Fans were being asked to arrive at the stadium with plenty of time ahead of the game due to routine security procedures.
"We do want to let fans know that for this event, there will be pat-down procedures at the gate, and that's why we're asking them to arrive early," said Duncan Blomfield, manager of communications for BC Place Stadium.
The pat down and bag searches at the gate are policies the stadium implemented last year, and staff are well rehearsed on how to handle big events like this, said Blomfield.
BC Place hosted 60,000 fans last weekend for the Rugby Sevens World Series.
Tonight's game will be the second straight in Vancouver for the men's national team, with Toronto's BMO field being favoured as the usual home venue since 2007.
The games are part of the penultimate round of North American qualifying games for the 2018 FIFA World Cup hosted in Russia.
With files from Kamil Karamali
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