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Fans clear the stands in heavy rain after the match was postposed due to a weather delay during the first half of the 2025 NSL final in Toronto, on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Threat of lightning forces players off the pitch in first half of NSL final

Nov 15, 2025 | 12:04 PM

TORONTO — The threat of lighting forced a weather delay late in the first half of Saturday’s Northern Super League final between AFC Toronto and the Vancouver Rise.

Toronto was leading 1-0 when the players came off the field in the 38th minute as rain fell. Play resumed some 40 minutes later.

The PA system at BMO Field played AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” as fans vacated the stand to take shelter in the concourse.

There had been an earlier lightning warning but the danger passed before the gates opened to let fans in.