Toronto Gears Up to Host FIFA World Cup 2026: A 100-Day Countdown
Toronto is officially 100 days away from hosting matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026, a tournament shared across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The event, kicking off on June 11, is anticipated to bring significant economic and cultural impact to the city.
The Scale of the Event
As TSN’s Matthew Scianitti stated to CP24, “I want everyone in the city to realize: this is the biggest event there is on the planet and it’s coming to Toronto.” [Source: CP24] TSN is the official broadcaster of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What Fans Can Expect: The FIFA Fan Festival
Sharon Bollenbach, Executive Director for World Cup 2026 at the City of Toronto, highlighted the FIFA Fan Festival as a central hub for fans. “What people can expect at Fan Fest is to be able to watch live broadcasts of the matches, and not just the matches happening in Toronto, but matches from the other 15 host cities across Canada, U.S. And Mexico,” she explained. [Source: CP24] The 22-day festival will feature activations, food, and beverages, and can accommodate up to 20,000 people at a time.
Economic Impact: Tens of Thousands of Tourists Daily
Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, anticipates “tens of thousands” of visitors “on a daily basis” during June. [Source: CP24]
Toronto’s Match Schedule
Toronto Stadium (formerly BMO Field) will host six matches, including Team Canada’s first game on June 12. Canada’s opponent will be determined by a European playoff. The full schedule is as follows:
- June 12 – Team Canada vs. TBD
- June 17 – (Group L) Ghana vs. Panama
- June 20 – (Group E) Germany vs. Côte d’Ivoire
- June 23 – (Group L) Panama vs. Croatia
- June 26 – (Group I) Senegal vs. Bolivia/Iraq/Suriname (TBD)
- July 2 – Group K runners-up vs. Group L runners-up
Team Canada will also play Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24 in Vancouver.
Ticket Information
FIFA has concluded initial ticket sale draws, but last-minute sales will begin in early April on a first-come, first-serve basis. [Source: CP24] The FIFA resale and exchange marketplace will reopen on April 2 at 11 a.m. EST. Resale tickets are currently available on sites like StubHub.ca, with prices starting at $721 for some matches and exceeding $3,700 for Canada’s opening game.
City Preparations and Legacy
Work is underway at Centennial Park in Etobicoke to create a training facility consisting of a modern pitch and field house. [Source: Global News] Sharon Bollenbach, executive director, FIFA World Cup 2026, for the City of Toronto, stated, “Our work is specific to the soccer pitch and a field house.” [Source: Global News] Discussions are ongoing with local professional teams to utilize the facility post-tournament, ensuring community access as a key legacy element.
100-Day Countdown Celebration
Toronto is marking the 100-day countdown with a free public party at Rebel nightclub on Tuesday, featuring cultural programming and live performances, including a presence from Toronto FC. [Source: CP24] The event begins at 5:30 p.m.