Legacy Initiatives & Programs

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ has come to an end, but hosting six matches was just the beginning. Through We Are Toronto, the City is investing in a lasting legacy that strengthens communities, expands opportunities and builds a more inclusive, sustainable city for all.

This is a living commitment to people, places, and possibilities, designed to ensure the benefits of the World Cup are felt long after the final whistle.

Toronto is making meaningful, measurable investments in its legacy:

  • Investing in community programs and local celebrations
  • Expanded access to sport and recreation in underserved communities
  • Support for diverse businesses and inclusive workforce development
  • Environmental leadership through sustainable infrastructure and practices

Toronto’s legacy strategy is built on four interconnected pillars. Together, they shape how the city will grow, celebrate, and thrive for generations to come.

    Expanding access to sport, building community, and supporting healthy, active lives through:

    Creating a greener future through responsible and innovative actions through:

    • LEED-certified stadium and net-zero development
    • Zero food waste at major events
    • Reductions in single-use plastics

    Celebrating Toronto’s creativity and supporting local voices through:

    Community Celebration Support Fund

    The City of Toronto, with support from the Toronto Arts Council, invested $1.7 million in local community celebrations in summer 2026 during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ that celebrated Toronto’s host city theme, “The World in a City.” A variety of projects will turned areas throughout the city into vibrant hubs of activity during the tournament.

    Funding Recipients & Projects

    *Project supported by the Toronto Arts Council
    Organization Project Event Dates
    Alexandra Park Neighbourhood Learning Centre of Toronto Flavours of the Game: Community Celebration June 12 to July 19
    Arts Etobicoke Community Arts Celebration 2026* July 19
    AstroSankofa Arts Initiatives Cosmic Strikers: Kicking Goals, Painting Futures – A Downsview Art Walk Community Celebration* July 11, 12 and 15
    B.A.A.N.N. Theatre Centre The Theatre Centre Community BBQ July 17
    Beaches International Jazz Festival World Music 2026 July 10 to 12 and 17 to 19
    BIG Bloor Improvement Group Ceremony July 18 to 19
    Broadview Danforth BIA The World Within Our Neighbourhood June 12 to July 19
    Canadian Reggae Music Association Multicultural Day in Little Jamaica* June 27 to 28
    Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto One City, One Game, Many Cultures June 11 to July 2
    CityPlace and Fort York BIA Matching June 10 to July 30
    Cedarbrae Markham Lawrence Village BIA CML Village Fest: The World in One Day* June 20
    Columbus Centre of Toronto Columbus Centre Community Multicultural 2026 Soccer Festival June 11 to July 19
    Danforth Mosaic BIA Toronto East Welcomes the World June 11 to July 19
    Emmanuel Parish Celestial Church of Christ Celebrating Toronto: African Cultural Music Showcase for Toronto 2026* June 13 to 14
    Evergreen Football Watch Parties at Evergreen Brick Works July 2, 5, 11 and 19
    Game Arts International Network World In a City and Soccer-Adjacent Events for Toronto Games Week 2026 June 11 to 17
    Greektown on the Danforth BIA Philoxenia June 20 and June 27
    Guild Festival Theatre Many Stories One Scarborough July 11 to July 13
    Harbourfront Corporation World in City at Harbourfront Centre June 11 to July 19
    Hispanic Canadian Heritage Council Multicultural Latin Fair 2026 June 20 to 21
    InterAccess Vector Festival: AR Multi-Site Exhibition July 9 to 19
    Ipsita Nova Dance Projects Svāhā! On the Land* June 26 to 27
    Jamii Esplanade PASI June 11 to July 19
    Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Friendship through Culture and Sport June 11 to July 12
    Kensington Market BIA Kensington Market: The World in a City June 28
    Lakeshore Arts Mimico Arts Jam* June 20
    Liberty Village BIA Liberty Kicks: Where Toronto Comes to Celebrate June 1 to July 19
    Little Italy BIA Taste of Little Italy June 12 to 15
    LOVE SCARBOROUGH ORGANIZATION I Love Scarborough Festival June 12 to July 19
    Malvern Family Resource Centre Scarborough United: Art, Soccer & Community Celebration – Toronto 26* June 30
    Midtown Yonge BIA Arraia on Yonge 2026 June 20
    Mount Pleasant Village BIA Comedy Kicks! June 18 to July 23
    Cabbagetown BIA Cabbagetown Pop-Up Event Series June 11 to July 19
    Old Town Toronto BIA The Great Beaver Quest June 1 to August 17
    Parkway Centre Business Association Block Party at Parkway June 20
    Pride House Toronto Pride House Toronto 2026 June 11 to July 19
    Queen Street West BIA Queen West Celebrates the World June 20, 27, 28 and July 2
    R.I.S.E. Arts and Community Services Football and Mother Tongues: Presented by R.I.S.E. and the Spoken Soul Collective* June 11 to July 19
    Regal Heights Village BIA Kick It On St. Clair West June 13, 26 and July 4 
    Rexdale Community Health Centre The Foodie Festival June 12
    Riverside District BIA Game on East End June 20 to July 19
    Rogers Road BIA Community BBQ July 4
    Roncesvalles Village BIA Around the World on Roncy June 11 to July 19
    Rosedale Main Street BIA Rosedale's Family Fun Toronto 26 June 26
    Scarborough Arts Destination Scarborough: The World in a Plaza June 27 to 28
    Scarborough Arts A World in a Neighbourhood* June 12 to 13
    Small World Music Society Small World Music Festival 2026* June 26 to 28
    The Aga Khan Museum - Le Musée Aga Khan Rhythms of Canada Festival July 1
    The Bata Shoe Museum Foundation Soccer Sundays June 14, 21, 28, July 5, 12 and 19
    The inPrint Collective Inc. Wear Your City!* June 11 to July 19
    The Junction BIA Taste of the Junction 2026: A Creative Crossroads of Culture & Community June 27
    Toronto Downtown Jazz Society Sounds Like Toronto - Sounds Like the World June 19 to 28
    Toronto Downtown West BIA Toronto Downtown Fest 2026: Celebrating the World in a City June 11 to July 19
    Toronto Festival of Arts, Culture and Creativity Luminato at Sankofa Square June 12
    Toronto Outdoor Picture Show Cities in Motion June 26 to 28
    Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Project RA x NYA June 21 to 28
    Uma Nota Music and Production Together on Geary* June 27 to 28
    Uptown Yonge BIA World Music & Dance Night - Uptown Yonge Celebrates Toronto 26 June 28 to July 18
    Wavelength Music Arts Projects Wavelength @ St. Anne’s Block Party June 20 to 21
    Wexford Heights BIA Soccer for All July 3 to 5
    Yonge North York BIA Yonge North York, Soccer City Celebration June 20
    Yonge & St. Clair BIA Midtown Kickoff: A Global Celebration of Soccer June 11 to 13

     

    Supporting local businesses and strengthening Toronto’s economy through:

    • Investments in diverse suppliers and social enterprises
    • Opportunities for local businesses to grow and connect
    • Increased global exposure for Toronto

    INFOTOGO

    Three people standing in front of a pop-up trailers branded with "INFOTOGO" signs holding up pamphlets and posters.

    The INFOTOGO program purchased and staffed new trailers to provide visitors to Toronto with in-person consultations about navigating Toronto and it’s many tourist destinations. During the tournament one trailer was located in Nathan Phillips Square with another located near Fort York Boulevard and Bathurst Street, next to FIFA Fan Festival™. In June and July staff provided more than 15,000 consultations between the two locations:

    • 6061 consultations in 24 days at Fort York and Bathurst
    • 9416 consultations in 52 days at Nathan Philips Square

    INFOTOGO will continue to provide visitors to Toronto with information after the tournament through in-person consultations at Nathan Phillips Square and at David Pecaut Square outside of Metro Hall in peak tourist seasons for years to come.
    Date modified: August 11, 2026