Several people were injured last night prior to the
Celtics-Raptors preseason game at the SkyDome "after
thousands of fans rushed through the gates" to take
advantage of the free seats offered on a first-come, first-
serve basis, according to Josh Brown of the TORONTO STAR.
The "surge" at the entrance "created a mini-stampede" that
left several women and children in tears as well as smashed
doors and broken turnstiles. Fans started lining up outside
the doors of the SkyDome as much as seven hours before the
game to get free seats on the upper level. But the line
turned into an "uncontrollable mob" when thousands of fans
arrived later in the day, causing people to get stuck
between the doors when they opened at 5:30pm ET and trip
over each other as they tried to claim one of the 10,000
free tickets. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment President
Richard Peddie: "It's unfortunate. We never anticipated
this kind of a turnout." After the confusion, about 8,000
fans filled the free seats in the upper level along with
8,000 season-ticket holders who occupied the lower bowl.
Overall, fans agreed the free game was a "nice gesture," but
called it "unorganized." Fan Ryan Hinkson: "Security was
lacking big-time. What's a free game if it's not organized
properly?" (TORONTO STAR, 1/27). In Toronto, Bill Harris
reports that only one gate was open at the SkyDome with
access to the upper level because lower level seats were
reserved for season-ticket holders. Peddie: "People keep
talking about NBA fan apathy, but we didn't see it (last
night)" (TORONTO SUN, 1/27). The team had expected about
3,000-4,000 fans to use the free tickets (GLOBE & MAIL,
1/27). The total attendance was listed at 25,001.
