Where to Eat, Play, and Stay During the 2026 Toronto World Cup Games

Toronto is Canada’s largest city, known for its economic strength, multicultural influences, and exciting urban draws. As of mid-2024, the population of the Greater Toronto Area was more than 7 million, making it not only the most populous city in Canada, but also one of the fastest-growing urban centers in all of North America. The rapid growth is fueled mostly by a steady influx of international immigrants: Toronto has the largest share of foreign-born residents of any city on the continent — which means you’ll find huge fan bases across the city for all 48 teams playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Soccer is deeply woven into Toronto’s culture, with roots stretching back 150 years. The first recorded game of “association football” in Canada was on October 21, 1876, between the Carlton Cricket Club and Toronto Lacrosse Club. Just months later, the first organized soccer body outside of Britain (the Dominion Football Association) was founded in Toronto, cementing its role as Canada’s first true soccer city.

Soccer’s popularity in Toronto grew quickly in the early 1900s, as immigrants from Europe brought with them their love for the game fueled by waves of immigrants from Britain and Europe who brought their love for the game. The Toronto & District League, founded in 1908, and the National Soccer League (NSL), established in 1926, were early competitive outlets, with clubs like Toronto Ulster United (1913-1962) achieving quite a bit of success.

Today, Toronto is home to Toronto FC, one of only three MLS teams in Canada. (Vancouver and Montreal have the other two). It’s also home to AFC Toronto, which plays in the Northern Super League, and Toronto FCII, one of the country’s best farm teams.

For East Coasters traveling to the games, the Toronto World Cup matches could be some of the most fun to attend, especially if you want to avoid the crowds of Boston and New York (as well as the heat of Atlanta and Miami). Here’s what you need to start your Toronto World Cup trip planning.

We hope you love the spaces and activities we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay or tour. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Toronto is arguably Canada’s most cosmopolitan city, known especially well for its vibrant food scene. Most travelers gravitate toward highlights like the CN Tower’s panoramic views, seeing the historic St. Lawrence Market, and exploring the cobblestone lanes of the Distillery District. But if you’re in Toronto for the World Cup matches, consider activities with a sportier angle: catch a match at BMO Field, visit the Hockey Hall of Fame, or join fellow fans at the official FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York and The Bentway, where games will be broadcast on large screens alongside cultural performances and local food vendors.

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Yes, Toronto is a soccer town — but there’s no denying it’s one of the biggest hockey towns in the world, too. The Hockey Hall of Fame was established in 1943 and relocated to Toronto in 1958, but moved to its current downtown location in 1993. It covers more than 60,000 square feet with exhibits on the sport, with 15 distinct collection areas displaying artifacts, multimedia displays, and interactive ways to explore. The Esso Great Hall (often called the “hockey cathedral,” has dozens of portraits and biographies of inductees, as well as the Stanley Cup, stored in a bank vault. Interesting exhibits include one on the evolution of the goalie mask, a close-up look at championship rings, and a replica of the Montreal Canadiens’ locker room. Tickets start at $25 Canadian, or about $20 US.

Hockey Hall of Fame: 30 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5E 1X8

Photo: ACHPF/Shutterstock

Catching a Toronto Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre is a quintessential city experience, with a retractable-roof stadium that keeps fans dry even in summer rain. It seats up to 45,000 fans, and tickets are accessible, starting as low as $9 for regular games. If you’re there in the summer, swing by the newly opened Corona Rooftop Patio, with lawn games and outdoor seating, or catch the views from the WestJet Flight Deck. During most baseball games, there’s live music, interactive contests, and the chance to catch a home run ball in Rogers Landing. The Blue Jays season won’t be impacted by the Toronto World Cup Games, making it an excellent way to see another sporting event in town on days where you didn’t snag soccer tickets.

Rogers Centre: 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON M5V 1J3

Photo: Erman Gunes/Shutterstock

Toronto’s official FIFA Fan Festival for the 2026 World Cup will be at Fort York National Historic Site, running from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It’ll be completely free and open to all ages, with live broadcasts of every game, not just the Toronto World Cup matches. Though the giant screens will be the center of attention, the festival will also likely have musical performances, cultural showcases, interactive art installations, and local food vendors. The nearest TTC (public transit) stations to Fort York National Historic Site are Bathurst Station (Bloor-Danforth Line) and Bathurst St at King St West. More details will likely be announced in the coming months at the official City of Toronto’s FIFA World Cup page.

History buff? Fort York is home to Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings with guided tours that take guests through the history of the fort, what life was like for soldiers, and why the Battle of York mattered. Tours are offered multiple times per day, though the schedule could get interupted when the FIFA Fan Festival is underway.

Fort York National Historic Site: 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3K9

Photo: Shawn.ccf/Shutterstock

The Toronto World Cup game are in the middle of summer, so it’s probably going to be hot. That makes this Airbnb Experience sunset paddling tour an inviting way to spend an afternoon. It’s a one-hour guided canoe tour of the Toronto Islands, paddling past the city’s best green spaces on a beginner-friendly route. It leaves from the Centre Island ferry dock, very close to Toronto Stadium. Participants will paddle through tranquil lagoons, past a bird sanctuary, and along a waterway with views of the islands’ flora and fauna. Along the route, the host shares stories and insights about the islands’ ecology and history. It costs $90 CAD per guest, or about $70 US, and includes all necessary equipment, though you’ll want to bring your own sunscreen and water.

Photo: mshirani/Shutterstock

Rouge National Urban Park is Canada’s first national urban park and one of the largest in the world, covering more than 30 square miles in Toronto. Its boundaries stretch from Lake Ontario in the south to the Oak Ridges Moraine in the north, protecting wetlands, forests, meadows, and farmland. The park is home to more than 1,700 species of plants and animals and contains some of the last remaining working farms within a protected urban area anywhere in in North America. There’s a network of trails for hiking and birding, but since the Toronto World Cup games are in the summer, it’s the perfect season for paddling the park’s Rouge River, too.

The main visitor entrance is near the Toronto Zoom where you’ll find trail maps, restrooms, and parking. Admission is free.

Rogue National Urban Park: 7277 14th Ave, Markham, ON L6B 1A8

Toronto has a well-earned reputation for its excellent soccer bars, offering everything from massive screens and raucous crowds to club-specific supporters’ atmospheres. Whether you’re seeking an inclusive, international scene or a die-hard footy sanctuary, the city delivers. Here are some of the top soccer bars in Toronto and what makes them stand out for fans of the world’s most popular sport.

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Scotland Yard Pub is widely recognized as Toronto’s top soccer sanctuary, especially for Tottenham Hotspur supporters. It’s the official home of the Toronto Spurs and regularly full of fans. It’s a reliable spot to catch Premier League, Champions League, and international matches, and a welcoming, inclusive environment — thought perhaps not if you’re an Arsenal fan. The pub’s dedication to soccer gives it an unmatched matchday atmosphere, making it a must-visit for serious fans. It’s very close to Union Station, and has bottomless mimosa breakfasts on weekends from 9AM-1PM.

Scotland Yard Pub: 56 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5E 1A6

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Real Sports next to Scotiabank Arena is one of Toronto’s largest sports bars. It covers roughly 25,000 square feet and is used to having large crowds during soccer games. It has nearly 200 TVs split among several themed zones, including areas inspired by basketball, hockey, and soccer. But the biggest screen — and, supposedly, the largest of any screen in a bar in North America — is the 39-foot-wide Arena screen, in the Arena room. It ensures everyone can see the action from just about anywhere in the bar, even when it’s packed.

Real Sports Bar & Grill: 15 York St, Toronto, ON M5J 2Z2

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The Dock Ellis is the official home of Arsenal Canada’s Toronto supporters and is known for its dedicated soccer crowd, especially on Premier League matchdays. The bar offers a spartan, sports-focused setting with plenty of draft beers and the usual pub-type fare. Its reputation as a hub for Gooners (a.k.a., Arsenal football fans) and other serious soccer fans makes it a great place for anyone whose serious about watching Toronto’s World Cup games and wants to talk shop.

The Dock Ellis: 1280 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1X7

Photo: Airbnb

With BMO Field so central to the city, you can make your decision of where to stay based more on what neighborhood speaks to you, more than logistics. Summer is the busy season in Toronto, so it’s always advisable to make your lodging reservations as soon as possible.

Check out Matador‘s full guide to the best hotels near BMO Field.

This Airbnb is definitely a splurge, but it’d be a fun place to spend a few days with friends while you’re in the area for the Toronto World Cup matches. It’s just a 15-minute walk from Lake Ontario, and has five bedrooms — one of which has been turned into a game room, complete with a ping-pong table, huge couch, and a TV project. It sleeps up to 14 people and starts around $450 Canadian per night (about $350).

This Airbnb is ideal for a traveling coupe, with one bedroom with lake views and access to a shared outdoor pool and sauna. It’s on the waterfront, meaning you can walk both to BMO Field for the Toronto World Cup matches, and to draws like restaurants and nightlife. It starts around $300 Canadian (about $225) in the summer of 2025, though rates could go up for summer 2026, given its great location.