When the FIFA World Cup 2026 arrived in Canada, Toronto and Vancouver did far more than host matches. They transformed into vibrant celebration hubs that showcased Canadian culture, diversity, and hospitality to millions of fans from around the world. 

Canada’s host city matches demonstrated the critical role public transit plays in supporting major international events, with both the TTC and TransLink recording significant increases in ridership as fans chose sustainable ways to travel. 

From free fan festivals and live entertainment to community programming and enhanced public transit, Canada’s two host cities embraced the opportunity to create memorable experiences while leaving a lasting legacy for residents.  

 

Toronto: “The World in a City” 

Toronto hosted six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), but the celebration extended well beyond the pitch. 

At the heart of the festivities was the FIFA Fan Festival, held at Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway. Open throughout the tournament, the festival featured live match broadcasts, concerts, interactive exhibits, cultural programming, and more than 30 food vendors representing cuisines from around the world. The event reflected Toronto’s multicultural identity under the theme “The World in a City.” 

The excitement wasn’t limited to the official fan festival. Viewing parties and public watch events popped up across the city, including at Nathan Phillips Square and Harbourfront, where residents and visitors gathered to cheer on their favourite teams, watch matches on big screens, and experience the excitement of the tournament together. These community celebrations brought the World Cup atmosphere into neighbourhoods across Toronto, ensuring everyone could be part of the event, whether or not they had tickets to a match. 

The city also embraced the tournament through community events, public art, neighbourhood celebrations, and legacy initiatives designed to extend the benefits beyond the tournament itself. Investments included new soccer mini-pitches, expanded access to youth soccer programming, community grants supporting local celebrations, and workforce development opportunities for Indigenous, Black, and equity-deserving youth. 

A unique kickoff concert connected Toronto with Mexico City and Los Angeles through simultaneous live performances, highlighting the international nature of the tournament. 

 

TTC Scores Big During FIFA World Cup 2026 

Hosting hundreds of thousands of visitors required an equally ambitious transportation strategy, and the results reflected its success. 

During the FIFA World Cup, ridership on TTC routes serving Toronto Stadium and Exhibition Place increased by 42 per cent compared with the same period in 2025. More than 1.14 million customer trips were recorded across the tournament’s six Toronto matchdays, with Canada’s opening match generating the highest single-day ridership. The figures demonstrated the critical role public transit played in moving fans efficiently, safely, and sustainably throughout the tournament. 

The City of Toronto, TTC, Metrolinx, Toronto Police, and numerous partners developed a comprehensive FIFA World Cup Mobility Plan that prioritized public transit, walking, and cycling over private vehicles. Enhanced TTC and GO Transit service operated on match days, while additional customer ambassadors, wayfinding signage, and coordinated traffic management helped fans navigate the city efficiently. 

The TTC also embraced the excitement of the tournament by showcasing the people behind its transit system. Through a FIFA-themed social media campaign, transit operators and frontline employees shared their role at the TTC, the national team they were cheering for, and their favourite places to eat, visit, and explore in Toronto. The campaign gave visitors an authentic, local perspective on the city while recognizing the employees who helped keep Toronto moving throughout the tournament. 

To encourage sustainable travel, Toronto also offered a free bike valet near Toronto Stadium, giving fans a secure place to park their bicycles. The service complemented the extensive Bike Share Toronto network, with stations conveniently located around the stadium, fan festival, and key destinations, making cycling an easy and convenient option for travelling between matches, viewing parties, and celebrations across the city. 

Together, these initiatives demonstrated that Toronto’s transportation network was about more than moving people efficiently. It helped create a welcoming visitor experience while showcasing the city’s commitment to sustainable mobility and the dedicated people who make it possible. 

 

Vancouver: The World Meets Canada’s West Coast 

Vancouver welcomed the world with seven FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at BC Place while showcasing its spectacular natural setting and community spirit. 

The city’s centrepiece celebration was the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver at Hastings Park (PNE), a free festival running throughout the tournament. Fans gathered to watch matches on giant screens, enjoy live music, experience interactive football activities, and sample local and international cuisine. A newly constructed amphitheatre became the focal point for entertainment, creating one of the tournament’s signature gathering places. 

The festival emphasized accessibility and inclusivity, welcoming everyone, from devoted football supporters to families experiencing the World Cup atmosphere for the first time. Community planning also focused on minimizing neighbourhood impacts while creating a positive experience for both residents and visitors. 

Vancouver complemented the official programming with cultural events, exhibitions, public art, and community celebrations that reflected the city’s diversity while showcasing its identity as one of the world’s most scenic host cities. 

 

TransLink Nets Record Ridership 

Public transportation was central to Vancouver’s World Cup operations, and the tournament produced record-breaking results across Metro Vancouver’s transit network. 

On June 24, TransLink recorded nearly 1.4 million boardings, the highest single-day system-wide ridership since March 2020. Ridership increased across every mode of transit, with SkyTrain and SeaBus experiencing particularly strong demand as fans travelled between BC Place, the FIFA Fan Festival, Vancouver International Airport, and destinations throughout the region. SeaBus boardings increased by more than 80 per cent compared with a typical day, demonstrating the importance of the region’s integrated transit network in supporting one of the largest international events ever hosted in Metro Vancouver. 

To meet increased demand, TransLink added service on key routes, introduced dedicated shuttle buses serving the Fan Festival, extended customer service hours, increased staffing and security, and provided specialized trip-planning tools and real-time travel information. 

The agency also worked closely with regional partners to coordinate operations, ensuring visitors could move easily between venues, accommodations, and attractions while minimizing congestion. The tournament became an opportunity to showcase Metro Vancouver’s integrated transit network and demonstrate how public transportation can successfully support major international events. 

 

More Than a Tournament 

While unforgettable matches captured global attention, the FIFA World Cup also demonstrated how major sporting events can strengthen communities and showcase the value of public transit. In both Toronto and Vancouver, investments extended beyond stadiums as public spaces became gathering places, cultural programming celebrated Canada’s diversity, and transit systems connected millions of fans to the excitement. Record ridership on the TTC and TransLink highlighted the critical role of reliable, high-capacity public transit in reducing congestion, supporting sustainable travel, and creating a seamless visitor experience. The tournament showed that successful host cities are remembered not only for what happens on the field, but for how they welcome the world and leave a lasting legacy for residents.