Toronto

It's one of only two cities in Canada chosen as a host city.

Jun 3, 2025 - 02:50

2026 World Cup Guide: Toronto

Photo: fred344 /Shutterstock

The world’s biggest sporting event is coming to Canada for the first time, and Toronto is one of two Canadian cities — alongside Vancouver — set to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The city will stage six fixtures at BMO Field, including the historic opener featuring the Canadian Men’s National Team.

BMO Field sits along Lake Ontario in Exhibition Place, a hub for major events. It’s being upgraded with temporary seating to expand capacity from around 30,000 to over 40,000, plus enhancements to video boards, lighting, and concessions to handle increased crowds. The stadium is one of the easiest to access in any host city, connected by TTC streetcars, GO Transit at Exhibition Station, and walkable routes from Liberty Village and Parkdale. It’s also just minutes from downtown, waterfront parks, and restaurants. It’s a natural fit for hosting FIFA World Cup matches, especially given its vibrant, multi-cultural neighborhoods, and history of hosting major events.

Venue: BMO Field (Toronto Stadium)

Capacity: 45,736

Match Dates

Toronto will host six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at BMO Field. Exact kickoff times will be announced closer to the tournament.

Friday, June 12, 2026: Group Stage (Canada’s opening match)
Wednesday, June 17, 2026: Group Stage
Saturday, June 20, 2026: Group Stage
Tuesday, June 23, 2026: Group Stage
Friday, June 26, 2026: Group Stage
Thursday, July 2, 2026: Round of 32

How to get to BMO Field from downtown Toronto

Photo: ACHPF/Shutterstock

BMO Field is in western Toronto, on the water within Exhibition Place. It’s pretty easy to reach on public transportation from most hotels in the city. The fastest and most popular option is the GO Train from Union Station to Exhibition GO Station. Trains run every 30 minutes and take less than 10 minutes, followed by a quick three-minute walk to the stadium. Several bus routes, including the 307 and 363, also stop nearby.

If you feel like stretching your legs, you can also walk to the stadium. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour from Union Station.

Driving is possible, but you’ll find the usual problems with cities, including a lack of parking and hevay traffic. Given how easy the stadium is to reach on public transportation, driving is probably your worst option. A better bet could be a taxis or rideshares, though you’ll want to walk about 15-20 minutes from the stadium after the match to have a better chance of catching a taxi (and not sitting in return traffic).

The Toronto World Cup Official Fan Zone

Photo: The Bentway

Toronto’s official FIFA Fan Festival will be at the Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway, two iconic venues just west of downtown and adjacent to one another. It’ll show all the matches between June 11 and July 19 and will be totally free to attend. Expect giant screens for watching the games, as well as plenty to do between games, like music and dance performances, art and interactive installations, and a whole host of food and drink vendors. It’s accessible by public transportation and fairly close to BMO Field.

For East Coasters, the Toronto World Cup matches will be some of the most fun to attend, especially if you want to avoid the peal heat Atlanta and Miami.

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More to do in Toronto

Photo: Shawn.ccf/Shutterstock

Toronto is so much more than just Niagara Falls. It’s a hub for arts, culture, and industry throughout Canada, surrounded by pretty green spaces, and absolutely brimming with fantastic international restaurants. Here’s more to get you excited for planning your Toronto World Cup trip.