This place will never be repeated. Not in this configuration, not in this materiality, not in this context. This venue is unique, unrepeatable — I don’t mean this in a poetic way, it’s a fact. I kept reminding me this every single day, every single match in Toronto. This idea of “Once Upon a Stadium” is one I fell in love almost immediately.
You don’t have to share this view with me, but it’s a big part of what made the already amazing experience that is working the FIFA 2025 World Cup, so unique to me — the ephemeral nature of this venue. Because in the future, several years down the line, when people see the pictures of the stadium on the robust World Cup version, they will wonder what it was like, and all of us who were there will smile and remember every little detail.
How loud it was, how intense and close to the pitch the fans were, how every single match was sold out, and from the pitch to the top level was alive. How we all went from the very cold weather and gray rainy skies to the colorful, vibrant and hot days in the blink of an eye. We as broadcast went from 6 people to literally hundreds, two production teams, so many names, smiles, stories.
Taking this venue to a world stage level, has everything to do, and would have never been possible with out Hayley Hitchcock and the amazing team around her. Every single day, like a clock, from dawn to —the very late— dusk, always with answers, always with a smile, always very well caffeinated.
Toronto takes it. Culturally, its architecture, museums, culinary offer, nature and people are a perfect blend. A city I will never forget, as well as working every single day with that skyline as a companion.
Last but definitely not least: the people. It always comes down to the team turning into a community, the workforce to a friendship. If we’re gonna spend close to a trimester of our lives together, let’s make it fun and worthwhile. Meeting new professionals, learning from them and their ways. Sharing as much as possible with the volunteers and newcomers, as well as “going down the rabbit hole” with old friends once again.
Toronto was full of great surprises. Working along with Nerrys as VPM was such a smooth experience. We lucked out on an amazing Drone Crew with Holly, Jordan and Jon. Felipe and his amazing logistics team, Helena and the chillest critical power operation. Getting to work and spend a good amount of time with Jim panouusis and developing a great camaraderie. Seeing Cyrille and getting to chat for a bit after years. So many people that I can’t mention all.
Being deputy to Nancy de Kort our Broadcast Venue Manager, a person from whom I’ve learned a lot, regardless of our different approaches to things, we managed to find the common denominators and build on top of that, we both believe that there’s enrichment to a process to be found in variety, diversity and mutual respect. Also, she can bike! f you ever plan on biking back from the venue to the hotel with her, bring your A game.
The memory bank is full and I’m pretty sure every single memory I share will bring back that idea to my mind; Once upon a stadium…
