Today, the City of Toronto shared details for FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto at the Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway that includes renderings, early programming highlights and event details. General admission is free, with advance registration required.
Mayor Olivia Chow was joined by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik (Spadina–Fort York), the Honourable Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport, Toronto hip-hop legend Kardinal Offishall and festival partners.
FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto
FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto will take place over 22 event days from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, July 19, aligning with tournament match days, offering public viewing of matches. The schedule and days of operation are available at www.torontofwc26.ca/FIFAFanFestival.
FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto is the central fan destination, featuring 46 live match broadcasts alongside performances, cultural programming, art and food that reflect Toronto as “The World in a City.” Residents and visitors alike can look forward to an all-ages celebration that captures the passion of the tournament from the first whistle to the final match.
Programming highlights
The festival will feature live music, cultural showcases and community programming that celebrate both the tournament’s global teams and Toronto’s diverse communities.
To anchor the energy and electricity across all 22 days of the festival, Toronto-based hip-hop legend Kardinal Offishall presents: Soundclash Society, a curated supergroup of Toronto’s top DJs and special guests. This cultural collective will bring the heartbeat of Toronto to the festival’s stage.
The initial line-up of performers and DJs includes AHI, Alessia Cara, Allied Nations, Anna Sofia, Bedouin Soundclash, Big Wreck, The Brokes, Choir! Choir! Choir!, Classic Roots, Deborah Cox, Dwayne Gretzky, Ikky, k-os, MICO, Murda Beatz, Nimkii and the Niniis, Shawn Desman, SHOUT! the band, Skratch Bastid, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, The Strumbellas, TOBi, Tyler Shaw and Walk off the Earth, with other announcements to come.
The festival’s cultural and community programming will also spotlight global entertainment and traditions through Toronto-based performers, including Andrés Valiente Proyecciones Folklóricas (Panama), Ballet Folklórico Puro México and Mariachi Vientos del Norte (Mexico), Esie Mensah & The Black Stars Collective (Ghana), HanBeat Nanta (Korea), Nagata Shachu (Japan), Sky Dancers (First Nations), Spring Creek Dancers (First Nations) and SuperDogs, with more to come.
With support from Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto will spotlight diverse and emerging Canadian artists throughout the festival’s programming.
On-site features
Fans can enjoy a range of on-site experiences across the festival. Highlights include a dynamic mix of street food and flavours that reflect the richness of Toronto’s global culinary scene, along with playful public artworks celebrating fandom curated by programming partner The Bentway.
Additional features include a custom soccer mini-pitch featuring the artwork of Indigenous artist Alanah Astehtsi’ Otsistóhkwaˀ Jewel, a family-friendly play area and Tkaronto Market, which will feature five spaces of Indigenous vendors. Visitors can also take guided tours of Fort York and explore “Ontario Campus” fan activations hosted by the Government of Ontario and Host City Supporters.
Ticketing
General admission to FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto is free with tickets required in advance to support capacity management, safety planning and the overall event experience.
Tickets will provide full-day access to match broadcasts, performances and activities.
Five hundred tickets per day will be reserved for community distribution through local youth and community organizations to support access.
Fans can enhance their experience through three distinct premium packages, each offering an elevated and immersive way to experience FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto.
Tickets go on sale May 6. Learn more at www.torontofwc26.ca/FIFAFanFestival
Event overview
FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto is expected to attract residents and visitors while supporting local businesses.
The City engaged a joint operation of vendors via competitive procurement to operate FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto, comprising of The Fifth, CANDICE&ALISON, One Twenty Eight and LOFT Entertainment, with Paquin Artists Agency. This collective group brings deep expertise that spans hospitality, culinary programming, large-scale event production, cultural and live entertainment programming, artist relations, and interactive and elevated experiences.
Host City Supporter
The City has signed Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) as the fourth Official Toronto World Cup™ 2026 Host City Supporter, joining Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Humber Polytechnic and Toronto FC. Through this partnership, OLG will support grassroots investment and drive fan experiences, including through activations at FIFA Fan Festival™.
Media accreditation
Media accreditation will be managed by the City, with the application portal expected to open in May. Accreditation is limited to recognized media and working journalists, with freelance reporters required to provide an assignment letter from a recognized media outlet.
FIFA World Cup 2026™
FIFA World Cup 2026 begins in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11 and concludes with the final in New York/New Jersey on Sunday, July 19. Toronto will host six matches, including the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup™ match on Canadian soil on Friday, June 12 and a round of 32 match on Thursday, July 2. Funding approved by Toronto City Council forms part of the City’s host city budget, with support from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
In December 2024, FIFA released an economic impact assessment prepared by Deloitte Canada, estimating the tournament could generate up to $940 million in economic output across the Greater Toronto Area and support more than 6,600 jobs.
Quotes:
“FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto will bring residents and visitors together to celebrate the game and our city. Keeping this free was important, so everyone has the opportunity to take part and feel part of this historic moment. This is an opportunity to showcase Toronto as a safe, affordable and caring city, while creating space for communities to connect and celebrate together.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“As Canada prepares to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ this summer, initiatives like FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto will help bring the excitement of the tournament from the stadium to the city’s neighbourhoods and beyond. 2026 is Canada’s Year of Sport, and moments like this show how sport can bring people together, strengthen our communities and showcase the very best of who we are. The Government of Canada is proud to support opportunities for Canadians to come together, celebrate our diversity and be part of this historic moment.”
– The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport) and Canada’s FIFA Sherpa
“Ontario is proud to support the delivery of FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto as a cornerstone celebration on the world’s biggest sporting stage this summer. Our government is excited to take part in an unforgettable tournament experience that will create a safe, inclusive and high-energy space, bringing communities together, driving economic activity and showcasing the best of Ontario and Toronto to the world.”
– Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport
“Fort York and the Bentway are two iconic sites in our city, where fans from near and far will be able to get a real feel for the best of our city at FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto. From this historic site to communities across the city, the festival will bring people together to connect, celebrate and be part of the FIFA World Cup™ experience.”
– Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
“The Bentway is a year-round vibrant destination where culture and recreation intersect, and we’re excited to bring that same spirit to the FIFA Fan Festival™. With interactive, family-friendly art installations, creative gathering areas that spark social connection, and signature works that celebrate Toronto’s creativity and diversity, we’re looking forward to creating an unforgettable fan experience.”
– Ilana Altman, CEO, The Bentway
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.