City of Toronto opens first Soccer For All Legacy mini-pitch

Today in Scarborough Village Park, Mayor Olivia Chow and Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie (Scarborough-Guildwood) officially unveiled the first of four new soccer mini-pitches delivered as part of the City of Toronto’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ Soccer for All Legacy program.  

The soccer mini-pitches feature a fully enclosed, illuminated turf playing surface that provides a safe place for skill development and learning for all levels and abilities. 

Programming at the Soccer for All Legacy mini-pitches will include a tailored combination of free seasonal instructional programming, summer camp opportunities and open community access.  

As part of the Soccer for All Legacy program, four communities are receiving immediate infrastructure upgrades, including new soccer mini-pitches at: 

• Apted Park (Humber River – Black Creek) 
• Amesbury Park (York – South Weston) 
• Grandravine Park (York Centre) 
• Scarborough Village Park (Scarborough – Guildwood) 

These locations will feature brand new, high-quality soccer mini-pitches and immediate activation of targeted community programming.   

Upgrades were made possible through strong collaboration between the City, corporate and individual donors with support from the Champions Table – a committee of Toronto corporate leaders – as well as non-profit organizations, and local residents whose input and engagement helped shape these improvements. 

The mini-pitches and associated programming are funded through corporate donations, including a $1-million contribution from Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, parent company of Federated Insurance,   

Soccer For All Legacy program 

• The Soccer for All Legacy program is rooted in equity, access and opportunity, helping to create inclusive spaces where every young person can play, grow and thrive.  
• The program is designed to service the local community through a combination of free instructional programming, summer camps and open community access.  
• This work reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to investing in parks and public spaces that meet the needs of a growing, diverse population. 
• Soccer mini-pitch locations were selected using equity-focused criteria, balancing geographic distribution and access to sports infrastructure. 
• This initiative ensures that the FIFA World Cup 2026™ serves as a powerful catalyst for long-term local impact, inspiring the next generation, and leaving Toronto’s neighbourhoods stronger and more connected long after the final match. 
• This work reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to investing in parks and public spaces and aligns with the goals of the City’s Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan. 

Quotes: 

“I’m excited to unveil a new Soccer For All Legacy mini-pitch in Scarborough ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. This pitch will be one of four across Toronto that will provide free local programming for children and youth and open community access allowing for more residents to have the opportunity to get involved in soccer.”  
– Mayor Olivia Chow 

“Today, I hosted the City of Toronto’s announcement of a new soccer mini-pitch in Scarborough Village Park. We are excited that this pitch will provide local residents with a safe, high-quality place to play and learn soccer, and supports our vision for building a stronger community.”  
–  Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie (Scarborough-Guildwood)  

“Major global events like the FIFA World Cup should leave more than memories, they should leave meaningful community legacy. Through the Soccer for All Legacy Program, the Champions Table is helping create safe, accessible spaces for young people across Toronto to play, belong and grow for years to come. This is what’s possible when public, private and philanthropic leaders come together around a shared vision for our city.”
–  Larry Tanenbaum, Co-Chair of the Champions Table.  

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 an Official Host City for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and 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.