City of Toronto and MLSE complete Phase 1 upgrades at Toronto Stadium ahead of FIFA World Cup 26™

The City of Toronto, in partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), has completed Phase 1 of upgrades at Toronto Stadium, marking a major milestone in the City’s preparations to host FIFA World Cup 26™. 

Phase 1 work included: 

• Installation of four new videoboards attached to the stadium’s corner columns, each upwards of 50’ by 30’ with improved resolution across more than 5 million LED pixels.  
• Upgraded and expanded Video Production Control Room, including an isolated sound booth, improved views of the pitch, control of the new videoboards and enhanced operation of the venue’s entertainment systems.  
• Expanded broadcast infrastructure to meet the needs of evolving audiovisual standards and anticipated volume of international television and media coverage 
• Improvements to concessions and concourse areas including self-serve technology and a new permanent kitchen on the west side which will serve fans more efficiently and effectively 
• Upgraded Wi-Fi to support additional fan capacity and connectivity 
• New Centre Field (“Coinbase”) lounge and west-side hospitality suite renovations  

With Phase 1 complete, attention is turning to the features to be added in Phase 2. Construction will start in December and includes:  

• Temporary seating expansion to increase capacity to 45,000, increasing capacity by 17,000 seats.
• LED stadium lighting to meet FIFA broadcast specifications and improve the gameday experience. 
• Upgrades to pitch and player spaces including new dugouts  
• Seat replacement on east and west sides  
• Additional temporary hospitality spaces 
• Broadcast infrastructure refinements 
• Other final preparations to welcome teams and fans from around the world

These investments, which include $123 million from the City and $23 million from MLSE, ensure that Toronto’s home stadium is ready to compete on the world stage and leave a legacy long after the final whistle of the tournament. 

New images and B-roll of the upgraded stadium will be available on the City’s newsroom webpage. 

FIFA World Cup 26™    

Toronto will host six FIFA World Cup 26™ matches, kicking off on Friday, June 12, 2026, with the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup match on Canadian soil, featuring Canada’s Men’s National Team. Toronto is also hosting a round of 32 match on Thursday, July 2, 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 labour 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.   

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 and 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 the City's website or follow us on X, Instagram or Facebook.