What to see, do and eat in Toronto during the World Cup

Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY

Tue, June 9, 2026 at 2:50 PM UTC

Toronto is the economic and cultural epicenter of Canada, one of the three host countries (including the United States and Mexico) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Along with West Coast counterpart Vancouver, Toronto will be responsible for hosting half of the matches set to take place north of the U.S.-Canada border, which will provide visitors a chance to explore the cosmopolitan locale that is Canada's most-populated and multicultural city, with 200 nationalities represented.

Here's everything to know about Toronto and the World Cup:

What World Cup games are in Toronto?

There are six games that will be played in Toronto during the World Cup – five group-stage matches and one set for the round of 32.

June 12:Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Canada
June 17:Ghana vs. Panama
June 20:Germany vs. Ivory Coast
June 23:Panama vs. Croatia
June 26:Senegal vs. Iraq
July 2:Round of 32 (2L vs. 2K)

Where are the games in Toronto being played?

The city poured more than $150 million into upgrades for BMO Stadium, which will be known for the duration of the World Cup as "Toronto Stadium." The renovation helped add 17,756 seats, bringing total capacity to 45,736.

Toronto FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) call BMO Stadium home. The stadium is owned by the city and managed by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE).

How to get around in Toronto

Public transit will be the go-to option for visitors heading to Toronto during the World Cup. No public parking will be available at the stadium or the surrounding neighborhoods. Transit service adjustments on key routes – including the Harbourfront and Bathurst streetcars serving Exhibition Place – will be implemented to support increased demand, according to the city, and direct service to the stadium will be offered.

Toronto has three subway lines: the 1 (Yonge – University), 2 (Bloor – Danforth), and 4 (Sheppard). Get to Toronto's downtown core and access Toronto Stadium from the following stations:

Dufferin Station: transfer to the 29 Dufferin Bus South direct to the Dufferin Gate Loop. Walk 10 minutes.
St Andrew or King Station: transfer to 504 King Streetcar and get off at Strachan Avenue. Walk 10 minutes south to Princes' Gate.
Union Station: transfer to GO Train - Lakeshore West line and get off at Exhibition GO station. Walk 5 minutes.

TTC Buses & Streetcars

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) offers bus and streetcar routes to help fans access Toronto Stadium, including:

29 Dufferin Bus to Dufferin Gate Loop. Walk 10 minutes.
504 King Streetcar to Strachan Avenue. Walk 10 minutes south to Princes' Gate.

GO Transit is a regional train that serves Toronto and the surrounding areas, including suburbs Hamilton and Niagara. Prices vary by fare type, but children aged 12 and under ride free. Customers can transfer between GO Transit, TTC and other local transit options.

Getting to the stadium on the GO Train? Take the Lakeshore West line and get off at Exhibition GO station. Walk 5 minutes. Transferring from other lines happens at Union Station.

Fans flying in for matches will land at either the smaller downtown airport (Billy Bishop) or the larger one, Toronto Pearson International. An express train (UP) runs from Pearson to Union Station downtown. Taxis and ride shares also service both airports.

Some roads, including a stretch of Lake Shore Boulevard, will also be closed for up to 10 hours on match days.

Where to stay in Toronto

The New York Times recommends staying in the Trinity-Bellwoods neighborhood for those seeking short-term rentals.

The downtown Ace Hotel was built in 2022 and boasts an ideal location. Hotel X Toronto is the closest one to the stadium. The Fairmount Royal York is across from Union Station. The Parkdale, King Street West and Liberty Village neighborhoods are also close to the stadium.

Where to eat in Toronto

Toronto boasts an eclectic food scene because of the city's diversity. Any cuisine is never too far. But here are some quick highlights:

Found.Coffee. Four locations known for their "Aussie Flare" in the coffee.

St. Lawrence Market . Features more than 120 vendors with a variety of food options.

Cafe Boloud .French-inspired joint that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Sunny's Chinese .Located in the Kensington Market neighborhood, serves authentic family-style Chinese food.

Taverne Bernhardt's .A quaint neighborhood restaurant with innovative cuisine. Try the rotisserie plates.

White Lily Diner .An all-day spot that serves comfort food.

Cafe Diplomatico . Legendary soccer bar and one of the best places to catch matches if you're not attending in person.

What else to do in Toronto

There is no shortage of things to do in a place like Toronto.

The FIFA Fan Festival begins Thursday, June 11 and ends Sunday, July 19. A digital ticket is required and there is no parking. Public transit is the best way to avoid street closures and congestion.

For fans looking to keep the trip sports-related, the Blue Jays have home games from June 12-14 (vs. the New York Yankees) and June 22-July 1 (vs. the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and New York Mets).

For music fans, MGK (June 14), The Strokes (June 21) and Paul Simon (June 25) all have shows at the RCB Amphitheater.

The Pride Parade is scheduled for Sunday, June 28.

The Royal Ontario Museum is the largest in Canada with more than 18 million pieces of art, history and artifacts. A temporary exhibition, "Psychedelics: Art. Culture. Science," opened June 6. There's no shortage of museums, including the niche Gardiner Museum, which features ceramics.

Check out the Distillery District – abandoned buildings from the industrial era that have been converted into a hub of shopping, galleries, drinks and dining.

The CN Tower is Canada's iconic national landmark that should be a must-see for any Drake fans. Buy tickets in advance.

The Beach (also called the Beaches), on the city's eastern edge, is a neighborhood that lines Lake Ontario and features a wood-plank boardwalk.

Take in the view of downtown from Trillium Park .