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City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

May 7, 2025

City of Toronto announces Fort York and The Bentway for its FIFA Fan Festival™ location

The City of Toronto has confirmed Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway as the official venues for FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto, marking a milestone in the city's preparations to welcome the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

The FIFA Fan Festival™ will bring fans together to celebrate the world’s largest sporting spectacle, showcasing Toronto’s unique cultural vibrancy through art, music and food while offering a free and inclusive space for residents and visitors to connect through the power of sport.

FIFA Fan Festival™

The FIFA Fan Festival™ is a global celebration of soccer, culture and community, designed for fans to enjoy free live broadcasts of FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches while experiencing the excitement of an official FIFA World Cup™ atmosphere.

The FIFA Fan Festival™ will run between Thursday, June 11 and Sunday, July 19, 2026 and will feature live match broadcasts on large screens, diverse cultural performances, interactive installations and a variety of local food experiences. Specific operating days and hours will be available at a later date. This celebration will highlight Toronto’s unmatched diversity, talent and global appeal, reinforcing the city’s reputation as being the “World in a City.”

The City is committed to keeping the community including local residents, businesses and Indigenous groups well-informed and actively engaged throughout the planning process for the FIFA Fan Festival™. The City will continue collaborating closely with these groups to ensure meaningful participation and dialogue. An information session for area residents and businesses is planned in the coming months. Details will be available on the City’s website: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/fifa-world-cup-26.

About the venues
Fort York National Historic Site was built in 1793 and is best known as the location of the Battle of York during the War of 1812. The Fort served as the city’s primary harbour defence between the 1790s and 1880s and was the home of a military garrison until the 1930s. Today, Fort York is preserved as a 43-acre archeological park and encloses Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings. Every year, thousands of people visit the site to explore its fascinating history and enjoy its public programs. Fort York was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1923.

A stunning outdoor public space located below the elevated Gardiner Expressway in west downtown Toronto, The Bentway has become known as a both a beloved backyard park and one of the city’s top creative destinations. As operators and programmers of the site, The Bentway Conservancy is an independent not-for-profit and registered charity fuelled by a mission to ignite the urban imagination. Bentway programming uses the city as site, subject and canvas for a range of artist installations, performances, experiments and community celebrations.

In addition to their rich cultural offerings, both locations are ideal for the FIFA Fan Festival™ thanks to their proximity to transit and to Toronto Stadium.

FIFA World Cup 26™
Toronto will host six matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, beginning with the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup™ match on Canadian soil on Friday, June 12, 2026 and a round of 32 match on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Funding and services provided by the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario will contribute to enhancing the necessary infrastructure and logistics in delivering Toronto’s matches and ancillary events for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

In December 2024, FIFA released an economic impact assessment, prepared by Deloitte Canada, estimating that FIFA World Cup 26™ could generate up to $940 million in positive economic output for the Greater Toronto Area. This includes a projected $520 million in GDP growth, $340 million in labor income and $25 million in government revenue. The tournament is also expected to create more than 6,600 jobs between June 2023 and August 2026, providing a substantial boost to the region’s economy.

Quotes:
“Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway offer the ideal setting for Toronto’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Festival™. This iconic venue reflects our city’s rich history while providing a dynamic space for fans to connect and celebrate their love of soccer, right in the heart of our city. We’re excited to welcome Torontonians and visitors alike to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in this memorable location.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow

“Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Festival™ at Fort York and The Bentway provides us with the opportunity to highlight Ontario's rich heritage and vibrant culture, while creating a truly unique fan experience. This festival promises to be a memorable event, as we welcome soccer fans from near and far to experience the World Cup in one of the most diverse and dynamic cities on earth.”
– Neil Lumsden, Ontario Minister of Sport

“Fort York is a significant historic landmark, and alongside The Bentway, is a vibrant community hub in our city. The FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Festival™ is an opportunity to celebrate Toronto’s rich heritage alongside the global excitement of the FIFA World Cup™. As a city, we’re excited to welcome soccer fans from all walks of life to gather and enjoy the games here!
– Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, Councillor for Spadina–Fort York

“Toronto is the world in a city— and in 2026, we look forward to welcoming the world to celebrate the biggest FIFA World Cup™ in history. Hosting the FIFA Fan Festival™ at this historic landmark will create a hub where fans can share their passion for the beautiful game — and where Torontonians can bring Toronto’s energy to life.”
– Peter Montopoli, Chief Tournament Officer, FIFA26 Canada

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at www.x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca

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