Blue Jays make FIFA-related schedule change that not everyone will be happy about
The Toronto Blue Jays have made a scheduling change to avoid conflict with the FIFA World Cup.
But it will make getting to the ballpark a challenge for some fans.
The Blue Jays, who own a 16-21 record through their first 37 games of the 2026 season, are set to face the Houston Astros in a three-game homestand from June 22 to 24. It's the second of those three games on Tuesday, June 23 where fans will notice the change.
Rather than first pitch getting underway at 7:07 p.m. as initially planned, the game has been moved back to 4:07 p.m. The reason? There is a World Cup match between Croatia and Panama scheduled to take place at BMO Field at 7 p.m.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 7, 2026
"To help sports fans in the city avoid scheduling conflicts with the World Cup, the Toronto Blue Jays have moved the start time of the Houston @ Toronto game on Tuesday, June 23," the Blue Jays wrote in a statement.
"The new start time will make it easier for fans to enjoy both sporting events happening in Toronto that day without any overlap."
The Blue Jays also confirmed that all tickets for the June 23 game will remain valid for the updated start time. That hasn't appeased everyone, as some with tickets may be unable to make the early start time.
"So will people be offered refunds if they cannot make that time? People have jobs," one fan wrote on X.
Either way, the decision has been made to move the June 23 outing back, meaning that Blue Jays fans with tickets will need to ensure they get to the ballpark three hours earlier than initially planned.
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