Toronto
BMO Field was expanded for the World Cup, set on Toronto's waterfront. Half of Toronto's population was born outside Canada, so most visiting teams will find a local crowd.
💱 Currency in Toronto
Stadiums in Toronto
Matches in Toronto
Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities on earth: over 200 languages spoken, half of all residents born outside Canada. That makes it a remarkable food city for World Cup visitors who want to eat their way around the world in an afternoon. FIFA confirmed BMO Field (temporarily renamed 'Toronto Stadium' per FIFA naming policy) as the host venue, expanded to 45,736 seats with temporary stands. The stadium sits at Exhibition Place on the western lakeshore.
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
From budget classics to Michelin-grade splurges. Each name opens in Google Maps.
📍 Spadina / Queen West
Canada's #1 restaurant five years running (Canada's 100 Best). Michelin-starred. Chef Patrick Kriss's blind tasting menu in a heritage rooftop space is among the finest meals in North America. Book well in advance.
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📍 Financial District (54th floor)
Panoramic views of Lake Ontario and the skyline paired with a menu that celebrates Canadian ingredients (Arctic char, venison, fiddleheads). A classic Toronto special-occasion restaurant. Michelin-recognised.
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📍 Old Town / St. Lawrence
The definitive peameal bacon sandwich in the city that invented it. A simple, cheap lunch that every first-time Toronto visitor owes themselves before the match.
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📍 Yorkville
The hardest reservation in Toronto. One of the most lauded omakase counters in North America. Chef Masaki Saito earned Michelin stars; the restaurant is routinely compared to Tokyo's best.
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📍 Entertainment District
The most popular Thai restaurant in Canada. Long lines all the time (they don't take reservations). The khao soi and larb genuinely represent northern Thai cooking.
📍 View on Google MapsWhat to See
Each name opens in Google Maps.
CN Tower
Observation towerAt 553 m, the CN Tower anchors Toronto's skyline. Glass floor walkway and the EdgeWalk (an outdoor hands-free circumnavigation). At a minimum, take the elevator up once to grasp the city's lake-to-suburbs scale.
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Art museumFrank Gehry-designed expansion houses one of North America's strongest collections of Canadian, Indigenous, and contemporary art. Free admission on the first Wednesday evening of the month (6–9 PM).
St. Lawrence Market
Historic food marketRanked by National Geographic as the world's best food market. Over 120 vendors. The South Market has been open since 1803. Peameal bacon sandwiches, artisanal cheese, and a density of Canadian pantry goods.
Distillery Historic District
Pedestrian heritage villageThe largest collection of preserved Victorian industrial architecture in North America. Fully pedestrianized, with independent galleries, restaurants, and Toronto's best atmosphere for a pre- or post-match evening.
Kensington Market
Multicultural neighborhood / marketA few walkable blocks of compressed multiculturalism. Caribbean, Portuguese, Mexican, Jewish, and Vietnamese food side by side. Best explored on foot on a weekend afternoon when the street energy peaks.
Local Food to Try
Getting Around
The TTC (subway, streetcar, bus) covers the city well. Load a PRESTO card ($4) at any subway station kiosk, or tap a contactless credit card directly. For BMO Field, take the GO Train from Union Station to Exhibition GO (8 minutes, $3–5 CAD) or the 509/511 streetcar from Union Station along the lakeshore. Do not drive on match days.
Quick Tips
- → Entry into Canada requires a valid passport. US citizens need a passport or NEXUS card (a driver's license is no longer sufficient for air entry). Non-US/EU visitors should verify eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) requirements at canada.ca before booking.
- → Currency is CAD (Canadian dollar). Prices will look similar to USD but $1 USD is roughly $1.37 CAD as of mid-2026. Virtually everywhere accepts Visa/Mastercard.
- → July in Toronto is humid. Expect 28–32°C with high humidity and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. A light rain jacket is useful. The lakeshore (near BMO Field) catches a cooling breeze.
- → Toronto has no sales-tax surprises on menus. Ontario HST (13%) is added at checkout. Tipping 18–20% is the local standard at sit-down restaurants.
- → The PRESTO card is the easiest way to use transit: one tap covers subway, bus, and streetcar with free transfers within 2 hours. Visitors can also tap a Visa/Mastercard contactless directly on TTC readers.
Match-day gear for Toronto
These help. Not affiliate-padded. Tested by the editor at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and updated for FIFA 2026 stadium rules.
Clear stadium bag (12 by 6 by 12 inches)
Compliant with the FIFA / NFL / MetLife clear-bag rule. Fits a wallet, phone, sunscreen, and a sealed water bottle.
10000 mAh power bank (USB-C, 20W)
One full phone recharge plus most of a second. Survives a triple-header day if you keep the screen dimmed.
Foam ear plugs (32 dB NRR, 50 pair)
Estadio Azteca and Lumen Field hit 110+ dB during goal celebrations. Bring two pairs in case one drops.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main airport for Toronto? +
Toronto's main airport is YYZ. From there, plan extra time on match days — expect heavier traffic, surge pricing, and longer transit times around stadium areas.
How do you get around in Toronto during the World Cup? +
Primary transit options: TTC Subway, GO Transit, UP Express. We recommend booking airport / stadium transfers in advance to avoid match-day surge pricing.
What is the weather like in Toronto in June and July 2026? +
Average daily temperatures sit around 21°C (70°F) during the tournament window. Pack for both stadium heat and air-conditioned indoor venues.
What currency is used in Toronto? +
CAD. Major venues accept international cards, but it's worth keeping some local cash for street food, public transit fares, and tips.
How many World Cup 2026 matches are being hosted in Toronto? +
Toronto hosts 6 matches during FIFA World Cup 2026, played at BMO Field.
Where should I stay in Toronto for the World Cup? +
Book early — World Cup match weeks see hotel prices spike 2-4x. Neighborhoods within 30 minutes of the stadium by transit offer the best balance of price and convenience. Use our hotel search to compare current rates.
Rest day in Toronto
Non-match day? Three or four picks the locals don't skip.
CN Tower EdgeWalk
Walk around the outside of the tower 116 stories up, tethered. The standard observation deck is fine without the EdgeWalk.
Get tickets →Niagara Falls day tour
90 minutes by car, full day commitment. The Hornblower boat into the mist is non-negotiable.
Get tickets →Toronto Islands ferry
15-minute ferry from Jack Layton terminal. Bike rentals at Centre Island. Half-day, free beach.
Get tickets →St Lawrence Market
Open since 1803. Peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Get tickets →Ready to book?
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Hotels in Toronto
Compare rooms across our partner network. Rates spike close to kickoff.
Search Toronto hotels →Flights to Toronto
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Find flights to Toronto →eSIM for arrival
No roaming fees in Canada. Saily plans run $4 to $25 for tournament-window data.
Browse Saily plans →Travel insurance
Match cancellation, missed connections, medical. SafetyWing tournament-window cover from $42.
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Sources (4)
- https://www.destinationtoronto.com/leisure-blog/post/fifa-world-cup-2026-visitors-guide/
- https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/toronto-stadium-host-canada-opening-match
- https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/ontario/toronto/restaurant/alo
- https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/news/2026/05/the-cbsa-shares-tips-on-travelling-to-toronto-for-fifa-world-cup-2026.html