Rogers Centre slow to fill as long lines develop at ALCS Game 5

Long security lines created a nightmare for Blue Jays fans before Game 5 of the ALCS.

The Toronto crowd was sparse at the start of Wednesday’s ALCS Game 5, but it wasn’t the fans’ fault. 

Long security lines developed outside Rogers Centre ahead of the 4 p.m. ET start, leaving the stadium half-empty at first pitch. Reporters on the scene and viewers at home commented on the lack of people in the seats. 

Several fans outside the stadium documented the large crowds gathering by security. 

@AndrewStoeten 4:30 at gate 14 pic.twitter.com/6NgGSoacHB

— Kerri Huffman (@KerriHuffman) October 19, 2016

@RogersCentre @BlueJays everyone call in sick? pic.twitter.com/cC752JdeAD

— Bower (@brianwdbower) October 19, 2016

.@BlueJays @RogersCentre @MLB It's 45 min into the game and I'm waiting in this... Certainly not worth the crazy ticket prices. #postseason pic.twitter.com/u3ZjptA2l0

— Mark Kryshtalskyj 🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@mkryshtalskyj) October 19, 2016

This is the crowd still waiting to get on. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/Aeebru70lA

— CA_in_TO (@CA_in_TO) October 19, 2016

Watching the #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/sjzH0aXgLa

— Katie Ch (@K8tCh) October 19, 2016

Circumstances of a 4pm start mean many leaving work a bit early still outside the Dome #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/7jTEfRyjAR

— Katie Ch (@K8tCh) October 19, 2016

@BlueJays looks like there will be a few fans out tonight #OurMoment pic.twitter.com/WdDRldSMVZ

— Derek Kent (@dkent1) October 19, 2016

7 mins until 1st pitch. Let's MOVE 'Em. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/gGcBy47j5P

— Joel Gallant (@SportsCamDude) October 19, 2016

By the fourth inning, it appeared that most of the fans had made it inside the stadium. By that time, the Indians had already taken a 3–0 lead. 

The Jays need to win Game 5 to force a Game 6 back in Cleveland on Friday.