Fans experienced mixed emotions after an unconventional version of the national anthem was performed ahead of Game 1 in the MLB World Series showdown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.

Gospel choir group The Voices of Fire, alongside renowned singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, took center stage at Rogers Centre to perform. Their rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner captured attention, followed by a unique presentation of the Canadian national anthem, setting a distinctive tone for the event.

Accompanied by musicians from a local Toronto orchestra, the choir brought “O Canada” to life in front of a full-capacity crowd. Clips of the performance, featuring the entire choir on the field, quickly spread across social media, sparking a lively debate among viewers.

Some fans were full of praise, with one writing: ‘Pharrell and Voices of Fire just set the tone absolutely electric national anthem before Game 1! The #WorldSeries energy is unmatched’.

Another, clearly emotional, fan wrote: ‘This is the best national anthem performance I’ve seen for the longest time throughout my sports watching life.

‘The choir was excellent — omg… the arrangement when it dipped a bit to minor for the US the harmonies. Honestly choirs should be doing national anthems more’. Another said: ‘Is this #WorldSeries National Anthem in the conversation for best anthem performance ever? It has to be right? That was Incredible! #Dodgers #Jays’

However, others were not so convinced. One disgruntled fan wrote: ‘Biggest waste of time ever’. In a series of blunt posts on X, fans wrote: ‘This was embarrassing’.

Others said: ‘Worst pregame gimmick ive ever seen’ and ‘Just muted it’. Despite some of those being underwhelmed by the display, others were simply pleased that neither anthem was boo’d by fans in attendance.

At a hockey game between the two nations earlier this year, the Star-Spangled Banner was jeered by Canadian fans in attendance.

Fans lined up by the hundreds to get into the arena more than 90 minutes before start time and also booed every time a US player was shown on video screens during pregame warmups.

The crazed atmosphere in the stands clearly filtered its way down to the ice because complete chaos broke out before the game had even started.