What to know
- Alessia Cara will perform at Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival on Wednesday, June 24.
- Kiesza is scheduled to take the stage on Friday, June 26.
- The performances coincide with major FIFA World Cup match screenings, including Canada versus Switzerland on Wednesday.
- The festival is taking place at Fort York and The Bentway and remains free to attend with advance registration.
- The Fan Festival has already featured Indigenous performers, Shawn Desman, Jully Black and other Canadian artists since opening.
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival is turning into one of the city’s hottest summer concert venues.
After welcoming thousands of soccer fans through its gates during the opening weeks of the FIFA World Cup, the free festival is keeping the momentum going with two major Canadian performers taking the stage this week.
Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Alessia Cara will headline Wednesday’s festivities, while international dance-pop star Kiesza is set to perform Friday.
Both performances will take place alongside live World Cup match screenings at Fort York and The Bentway, where fans have been gathering daily to watch games, celebrate different cultures and take in live entertainment.
Alessia Cara takes the stage Wednesday
Wednesday could be one of the biggest days of the tournament so far for Canadian soccer fans.
Alessia Cara is scheduled to perform at the FIFA Fan Festival before Canada takes on Switzerland in a crucial World Cup matchup.
Organizers have been promoting the event as one of the marquee days of the tournament, combining live music with a Team Canada watch party atmosphere.
The Brampton-born singer rose to international fame with hits including Here, Scars to Your Beautiful and Stay, and remains one of Canada’s most recognizable music exports.
Kiesza headlines Friday
The party continues Friday when Calgary-born singer Kiesza brings her high-energy performance to the Fan Festival stage.
Known for dance hits such as Hideaway, Kiesza is expected to cap off a full day of World Cup action on the festival’s giant screens.
Festival organizers released a fresh batch of free tickets for Friday earlier this week, encouraging fans to secure spots ahead of what is expected to be another busy day.
Indigenous performers highlighted over the weekend
The festival also used the weekend to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Sunday’s programming featured music, dance and cultural performances presented by TKMF Productions, including appearances from Allied Nations, Classic Roots, Nimkii and the Niniis, and Sky Dancers.
Indigenous artists and vendors were also showcased throughout the day as part of the celebrations.
Who has performed so far?
Since opening earlier this month, the FIFA Fan Festival has welcomed a growing list of Canadian performers.
Among the artists who have already appeared are French Montana, Jessie Reyes. Shawn Desman and Jully Black, while Indigenous performers took over the stage during National Indigenous Peoples Day programming.
With Alessia Cara and Kiesza still to come this week, the festival continues to blend soccer, music and culture into one of Toronto’s largest public gatherings of the summer.
The FIFA Fan Festival runs throughout the tournament at Fort York and The Bentway, offering free match screenings, cultural programming, food vendors and live entertainment as Toronto hosts matches during the FIFA World Cup.
