What to know
- Toronto is hosting a variety of World Cup-themed activations and installations as Canada prepares for its second tournament match.
- TMU students created KICKOFF, a giant soccer-ball installation in Trinity Square Park that lights up in team colours when goals are scored.
- The Great Beaver Quest invites participants to search for 52 soccer-themed beaver statues across Old Town Toronto for a chance to win prizes.
- PASI, a large-scale outdoor photography exhibit at The Esplanade, celebrates cultural diversity and connection through soccer-inspired artwork.
- Fans can also take part in hands-on soccer activities at Downtown Yonge InPlay! and explore the sport through a themed adventure at the ROM.
As Canada prepares to face Qatar in its second World Cup match, Toronto is well into the soccer season, with multiple sports-related installations fans can check out this summer.
The home team might be playing in Vancouver on Thursday, but there are still plenty of ways to cheer them up and soak up the tournament’s energy in Toronto.
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KICKOFF
Behind the Eaton Centre in Trinity Square, a project led by Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) architectural science students in partnership with Yonge Downtown BIA aims to unite soccer fans and create excitement for the event.
The installation, named KICKOFF, consists of a large structure shaped like a soccer ball that includes dynamic LED lighting that lights up into different team colours whenever they score during a live game.
“The idea was just to capture Canada’s love for soccer, honestly, because obviously soccer is such as a way that brings people together and no barriers behind that, we just wanted to foster that as well and add to that community of Yonge Downtown,” Jose-Miguel Calle, a TMU student and project lead told Now Toronto.
According to Calle, the project was also supported by members of the TMU engineering department, who helped to develop the system that allows the installation to light up. In order to change into the colours of the scoring teams, the project includes an online software that collects data from the game and automatically translates it into the corresponding LED lights.
On top of being an exciting installation that reflects the energy of the tournament, KICKOFF is also an opportunity for students in the program to take on hands-on projects while in university.
“It was a great opportunity, especially for first years, given the fact that we’ve only just finished our first year. It’s definitely an opportunity that we’re beyond grateful for, and getting to have contributed something like this, and having hands-on experience, is definitely very unforgettable,” Zeina Khalil, a TMU student and project team member, said.
KICKOFF was first unveiled on June 11 at Trinity Square Park and will remain onsite for about a month and a half, according to project leads.
The Great Beaver Quest
Diving into the competitive spirit, this installation turns World Cup enthusiasm into a fun competition.
Taking place around Old Town Toronto, the Great Beaver Quest invites residents and visitors to explore the neighbourhood and win gift cards for businesses in the area.
Participants must look out for 51 beaver statues dressed up in the colours of the countries playing in the tournament, plus one special beaver representing all the nations, which are placed throughout the neighbourhood.
To play, they must access the digital scavenger hunt app, find the beaver statues using the available clues, and complete the proposed challenges to earn extra points.
The winners will have the chance to score several prizes throughout the summer, including gift cards to Old Town businesses, and three major grand prizes at the end of the quest.
The scavenger hunt is taking place until Aug. 16, and more information can be found at the Old Town Toronto website.
PASI
Aiming to capture the unifying spirit of the World Cup, a large-scale outdoor photo exhibition at The Esplanade reflects how people from around the world are side by side during the event.
The exhibition features portraits of 48 community participants symbolically passing a soccer ball from one image to the next, also reflecting the name of the project PASI, which means “a soccer pass” in Swahili.
The installation will also be animated with live performances, stiltwalker appearances, and cultural moments that aim to encourage residents and visitors to slow down and experience the city differently.
The installation is located between the Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market, and will be onsite until July.
Downtown Yonge InPlay!
Watching global teams play is an essential part of the World Cup fun, this activation invites fans for a hands-on soccer experience.
Participants can head to Downtown Yonge to practice their soccer skills with interactive games, challenges, and family-friendly activities all summer long.
On June 18, June 24, and July 8, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., the area transforms into a training field, where participants are invited to participate in a soccer skill session to develop their sport abilities.
To celebrate the end of the tournament, from July 12–19, the area is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drop-in play and public use.
For more information, visit the activation’s website.
Kickoff Quest: ROM Soccer-Fueled Adventure
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is also getting into the soccer spirit, inviting visitors to take part in an exciting journey that unites soccer and art.
Visitors have the chance to explore the museum in a whole new way, following the provided clues and scoring trivia goals along the way.
This event will take place at ROM from June 6–July 26 every Saturday and Sunday, and admission is $5. For more information, visit the ROM website.
