Plan your ultimate FIFA Toronto experience

Excitement is building as Toronto prepares to host Canada’s opening match of the FIFA World Cup 26 on July 12, 2026, making BMO Field (which will be renamed Toronto Field for the duration of the games) the first Canadian venue to host a FIFA World Cup game.

It’s the perfect city for this honour, having welcomed people—and their cultures—from every corner of the world for generations. This sense of diversity and community defines Toronto, which you’ll witness in every neighbourhood as the locals cheer for their home country’s team.

There are endless things to do in Toronto. What makes Toronto truly special is how close everything you need for an incredible FIFA adventure is to the World Cup’s main venue. It’s a highly walkable city with some of its hippest neighbourhoods, best restaurants and iconic landmarks like the CN Tower all within walking distance of BMO Field and downtown.

But before you visit, be sure to get your FIFA tickets well in advance! You can register your interest in FIFA World Cup 26 tickets here.

The venue and how to get there

Cheer alongside thousands of FIFA World Cup fans at the centrepiece of the historic Exhibition Place grounds. BMO Fields was originally built in 2007 for the FIFA U-20 World Cup and is now home to the Toronto FC soccer team. Toronto’s passion for soccer is obvious, with over 22,000 fans filling the stands for every Toronto FC match.

BMO Field is easily accessible by car, bike and public transit. From downtown, take the westbound TTC subway to Dufferin Station and switch to the Dufferin 29 bus, which stops at the field. If you’re arriving from outside the city, the GO commuter train stops conveniently at Exhibition Place—with the stadium just a few minutes away by foot. Exhibition Place has 5,000 parking spots but they fill up quickly, so if you're driving to the game, plan to arrive well in advance.

Feel the FIFA excitement everywhere you go 

Ontarians just can’t get enough soccer! If you don’t have tickets to the match, just find the nearest big-screen TV. The city offers amazing alternative viewing spots where you can enjoy some food and watch the game:

Real Sports (RS): Next door to Scotiabank Arena, this incredible venue boasts 199 screens, including a 39-foot high-definition screen—the largest in Toronto. Book your table early. Reservations can be made up to three weeks in advance.

Score on King: This downtown favourite is known for its wall-to-wall TVs, towering burgers and famous chicken.

Brazen Head: Located in Liberty Village and within walking distance of BMO Field, this lively pub offers traditional British vibes with Canadian energy.

Gear up for the game with official Team Canada apparel from lululemon online or at their massive flagship store at the intersection of Yonge and Bloor. Toronto FC hats, jerseys and more are available at Real Sports Apparel (located at Gate 1 in Scotiabank Arena Galleria) and Toronto FC MLS Shop located in SportChek at the Eaton Centre as well as other stores throughout the city. 

Where to stay in Toronto and the surrounding areas

Just steps from BMO Field is Hotel X, a modern gem located on the waterfront inside the Exhibition Grounds. A cultural cornerstone of Queen West, The Drake Hotel is perfect for those seeking a hip and artsy vibe—the nearby Gladstone House is rich in history, creativity and energy.

A fashionable mid-range option is Hotel Ocho, where Queen West meets Chinatown. Residence Inn by Marriott offers affordable extended stays with contemporary kitchens in the Entertainment District.

Near the Toronto Pearson International Airport, nothing is more convenient than the Sheraton Gateway Hotel—in fact, it’s right inside the airport. Not far away, Alt Hotel Toronto Airport is known for its perfect mix of style and practicality. A quick 25-minute ride on the UP Express Train connects the airport to Union Station downtown, making it easy to get to Toronto and the soccer field.

You can find more affordable accommodations and experience a completely different big city vibe less than 45 minutes away from Toronto in nearby Mississauga and Oakville. Mississauga is a very modern city and Ontario’s third-largest; make yourself at home at the Residence Inn Toronto Mississauga Southwest. Whether you’re staying a few nights or just visiting for the day, you’ll find endless things to see and do. Further west is Oakville, known for its scenic waterfront parks and charming downtown lined with one-of-a-kind shops, comfortable cafes and endless eateries. Fairfield by Marriott is a favourite among visitors here. 

Check out the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods and vibrant nightlife 

Toronto’s many unique neighbourhoods are brimming with energy and personality, and four of the most popular are just minutes away from BMO Field.

Liberty Village is so close by you can hear the cheers from the stadium. Discover amazing restaurants near BMO Field in this bustling hub of townhouses, high rises, shops and craft breweries. The Brazen Head is the go-to pub for game-day excitement.

The epicentre of Toronto’s creative scene, Queen West is filled with art galleries, fashion boutiques and top-notch restaurants. Spend a glorious summer’s evening on the historic Drake Hotel’s rooftop patio.

Running north from Queen West is Ossington Avenue. Named by Time Out Magazine as one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, locals flock there for its lively patio culture and incredible food.

Spanning several blocks of King Street West between BMO Field and University Avenue is the Entertainment District, the hub of the city’s nightlife. From stylish clubs, bars and top-rated downtown Toronto restaurants to world-class entertainment venues such as the Princess of Wales and Royal Alexandra theatres and the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, this happening stretch has it all. Popular new food/retail spaces include the recently built Waterworks Food Hall and The Well.

Getting around Toronto is easy by foot or bike; other popular neighbourhoods include Old Town Toronto, Yorkville Village and The Beaches (or just the Beach as locals call it).

Explore Toronto and see the world

Toronto’s diversity shines through in its many multicultural communities. Mingle among the locals wearing their national FIFA team colours during World Cup 26, and discover some of the best food in Toronto.

On College Street West, Toronto’s Little Italy blends decades-old traditions with 21st-century vibes and is home to the Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe, Toronto’s oldest gelateria.

Running parallel to Little Italy on Dundas Street West are Little Brazil and Little Portugal. Stop by Brazil Bakery & Pastry for authentic Portuguese custard tarts and rich, steaming dark roast coffee.

You don’t have to go far beyond downtown to globetrot and experience a taste of the world. Next up, visit Little India, Greektown, Koreatown and Chinatown. Each neighbourhood has its own sounds, aromas and energy. 

Take a delicious detour to Toronto’s top restaurants

Toronto’s food scene is waiting to be savoured. Diversity of dining defines this city, offering visitors a menu that few other world-class cities can. And you’ll find sixteen MICHELIN-starred restaurantsin and around Toronto.

The literal height of dining in Toronto may be the rotating 360 The Restaurant at the top of the CN Tower, with the most magnificent, everchanging panoramic view of the city imaginable.

Book your table well in advance. The top restaurants in Toronto will be especially popular during FIFA. 

Go on an exciting and eclectic shopping spree (or two or three) 

At the heart of downtown Toronto’s main thoroughfare, Yonge Street, is the Eaton Centre, a sprawling indoor mall featuring flagship stores such as H&M, the Apple Store and Roots. Just across the street is unique, high-end shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue in the historic sandstone Hudson Bay Building, home of The Bay.

Take the subway four stops north from Dundas to Bloor Station and you’re in super-chic and trendy Yorkville Village, where storefronts for Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton open their doors for a leisurely browse.   

For something off the beaten path, visit eclectic and bohemian, Kensington Market, the place for vintage finds and international street food. The Distillery District, with its unique boutiques and eateries, is a modern reimagining of the Gooderham & Worts distillery site. Originally established in 1860, distilling came to an end in the mid-1950s and the grounds lay dormant for years until it was finally rejuvenated in 2003 as a dynamic, defining part of the city. 

On the upper edge of the city just off the main highway 401 at Dufferin Avenue is Yorkdale Mall, Toronto’s second-largest shopping centre, providing the ultimate retail therapy. 

Head west on the QEW to downtown Mississauga and Square One Shopping Centre with its more than 330 stores and services offering everything from A (Abercrombie & Fitch) to Z (Zara).

Bring your selfie stick to these iconic Toronto landmarks

You haven’t been to Toronto until you’ve visited these must-sees. Take lots of photos!

CN Tower and Rogers Centre: Side-by-side are North America’s tallest free-standing structure and the first stadium in the world to have a fully retractable roof. Rogers Centre is also home to the Toronto Blue Jays major league baseball team.

Toronto Islands: Take the ferry from the Toronto waterfront and escape to a leisurely car-free community on one of the three Toronto Islands, perfect for cycling or relaxing on the beach.

Little Canada: Located at the intersection of Yonge and Dundas, you can explore the entire country in miniature form. It’s so detailed, you’ll think you travelled from Halifax to Vancouver in one afternoon.

Casa Loma: A historic, Gothic Revival-style castle where the elegant BlueBlood Steakhouse resides.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) are celebrated destinations for lovers of art and history. 

Explore more of Ontario as part of your FIFA experience 

When there’s no match happening and you’re feeling a bit adventurous, there are many things to see and do in Ontario. Plan a roadtrip to experience everything this incredible province offers within driving distance, from dynamic cities to nature at its most magnificent.

Westbound to Niagara Falls: Awe-inspiring majesty 90 minutes away

An hour and a half from Toronto along the QEW is one of the top Ontario tourist attractions and the world’s greatest natural wonders. The thundering cascades of Niagara Falls attract thousands of people to its edge every day. Prepare to get drenched on a cruise taking you directly under the Falls. 

Few cities can compete with Niagara Falls when it comes to fun and entertainment—there’s everything from family-friendly Clifton Hill and Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park to the 24/7 energy of Fallsview Casino Resort.

On your way back to Toronto, discover the historic backroads of Niagara’s Wine Country with more than 100 wineries, most offering tastings and tours. While you’re in the area, revisit the Victorian era in the charming downtown of Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

Eastbound to Ottawa—Canada’s Capital City

Ottawa, Canada’s vibrant capital, is a leisurely five-hour road trip through charming small towns and the breathtaking natural terrain Ontario is known for. 

This is a city made for exploring. From Parliament Hill, the historic seat of government, to the shopping, dining, arts and entertainment scene of the ByWard Market, there are so many things to see and do in Ottawa.

And with more than 800+ kilometres of recreational pathways for strolling or cycling, something new is around every corner. No visit to Ottawa is complete without a cruise on the Rideau Canal. Flowing 202 kilometres from central downtown, the Rideau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For even more adventure, go white water rafting on the Ottawa River. 

Along the way, step back centuries and discover what’s made Canada the great nation it is at the Canadian Museum of History, one of the city’s seven national museums.

Summer means food, music and art festivals all across Ontario—with some of the biggest happening in Ottawa, including the world-renowned Ottawa Bluesfest and a massive party staged on Parliament Hill for Canada Day (Canada’s birthday!) on July 1.

Everywhere you turn—incomparable nature

Canada is known for its unspoiled, rugged beauty—a vast scenic landscape of pristine lakes, lush forests and fascinating wildlife—much of it in Ontario.

There are 105 stunning provincial parks with more than 7,500 square kilometres of freshwater lakes, interconnected riverways and forests to experience. Popular destinations include Ontario’s sprawling Algonquin Provincial Park with a bounty of forests, bogs, lakes and rivers. Or visit the sunny beaches and surreal sand dune formations of Sandbanks Provincial Park in picturesque Prince Edward County.     

Know before you go: Day passes are required at Ontario’s provincial parks. It’s wise to book in advance. 

Explore Ontario and you’ll find four UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves not far from Toronto. A little more than an hour by car is the town of Queenston and the eastern edge of the Niagara Escarpment, which ultimately stretches 900 kilometres to northern Tobermory. 

The stunning waterways of Ontario include over 250,000 lakes (including four of the five Great Lakes), endless rivers and historic canals. A three-hour drive from Toronto and close by to Kingston are the spectacular1,000 Islands, home to two UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves.

With all this water, a lakeside getaway is essential to your Ontario stay. Heading north of Toronto, the rustic Killarney Mountain Lodge sits surrounded by rugged quartzite mountains, clear waters and fresh northern Ontario air.

Or, nestle yourself among nature at one of Ontario’s many welcoming resorts. Comfortable accommodations, sumptuous dining and lively activities are all on the agenda, with Deerhurst Resort being a favourite of visitors to the province and those who live here. North to the Muskokas on the tranquil shores of Lake of Bays is Port Cunningham Lodge, the perfect setting for golf, kayaking, or simply soaking in the sun.  Take a look at the many resorts waiting to welcome you to Ontario at FIFA time!

Start planning your Toronto FIFA itinerary today!

Whether you’re on your feet cheering or taking advantage of all of the incredible things the city has to offer, your Toronto FIFA experience will be one you’ll never forget.

With so much to see and do—from iconic landmarks to multicultural neighbourhoods, world-class dining and eclectic shopping—the time to start planning your itinerary is now.

Embrace the excitement and discover why Toronto is the perfect host for FIFA World Cup 2026.