We did it, Toronto! We made it through 2025.
This year was anything but boring for the city, in fact, it was a rollercoaster ride filled with excitement, but of course also filled with drama.
Despite the ups and down, Torontonians pushed through every moment and every headline, some laughed, some cried, and many asked, what’s next?
While 2026 is already shaping up to be a year filled with similar moments, let’s take a look back at some of the top moments and headlines that shaped the city this year.
ROB FORD DOCUMENTARY
One of the most talked about moments this year was centred around one of the city’s most controversial mayor ever, that’s right, Rob Ford. Netflix subscribers might remember Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem, a Netflix documentary focusing on the late politician’s controversial time as the city’s mayor, including scandals that are still being discussed all these years later. The documentary was not welcomed by his brother and Premier of Ontario Doug Ford who called the documentary “disgusting.”
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ROGERS STADIUM OPENING
This year, Toronto was given a brand new concert venue, the biggest in the entire city in fact. Rogers Stadium opened its doors with a seating capacity of 50,000 and quickly welcomed acts like Coldplay, BLACKPINK, Chris Brown, and System Of A Down! But it wouldn’t be a grand opening without grand drama, fans immediately voiced concerns over the concert’s shaky seats, long wait times to exit the venue after the shows, and even noise complaints from locals. Flooding was also an issue after it poured during night one of Chris Brown’s two-day run in August. Despite that, the venue is still here and already announcing acts for next year.
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TIFF 50TH ANNIVERSARY
The Toronto International Film Festival returned for its big 50th birthday, and both the city and the stars showed up for a week filled with incredible films, interviews, and unforgettable red carpet moments. This year, the festival saw films like Frankenstein, John Candy: I Like Me, Ballad of A Small Player and many more steal the show with incredible stories and stunning reviews. Stars like Charli XCX, Jamilie Lee Curtis, The Rock, Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey, and more were out and about on the streets of Toronto. It was a perfect birthday for one of Toronto’s most beloved events, and the 51st edition is sure to bring a lot more memories.
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FIFA PREPARATIONS
We are less than a year away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Toronto is quickly preparing to welcome the world as Canada prepares to host six games in the city. This year, upgrades began on BMO field, which will temporarily be renamed Toronto Stadium, to meet FIFA requirements for the games. These upgrades include four new 50 x 30 video boards and a new 80-person capacity lounge. Phase 2 upgrades began in December, including the installation of 17,000 new temporary seats, which will bring the stadium’s capacity from 27,000 to 45,000.
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VYBZ KARTEL CONCERT
The King of Dancehall himself finally did what a lot of Caribbeans in the city thought he never would, Vybz Kartel performed live for the first time in Toronto. To add to the excitement, he performed three incredible nights in Toronto, even bringing out the Queen of dancehall, Spice, to perform their hit song “Romping Shop” on the final day, and brought out Toronto’s very own Drake on night one. This wasn’t just a concert, it was an epic cultural moment for the city’s Jamaican and Caribbean community who have longed to see the World Boss himself.
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THE WORLD SERIES
Toronto, did you hear that the Blue Jays made it to The World Series? Of course you did, the team’s legendary run this year not only shaped the city, but certainly brought the entire country together. Day after day, and week after week Canadians were on the edge of their seats as they watched the Jays do the unthinkable and make it to the World Series for the first time since 1993. Although they lost the title to the L.A. Dodgers, they won the hearts of Canadians everywhere.
@nowtoronto The #BlueJays may have missed their shot at the #WorldSeries tonight, but fans are still showing love for the team and hope for next season! 💙 #WANTITALL ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
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SPEED CAMERA DRAMA
Speed cameras were quite the talker this year, both in Toronto and all over the province. Here in Toronto there was one camera in particular that kept making headlines, that’s right, the Parkside Drive Speed camera was vandalized over and over again. The speed camera, which issued more than 66,000 tickets since 2022, was vandalized and chopped down several times this year. However, it’s something that Toronto police and the city won’t have to worry about any longer since the provincial government banned speed cameras as of Nov. 14.
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FINCH WEST LRT OPENING
The Finch West LRT finally opened! After years of delayed openings, the 11-km light-rail line welcomed passengers on Dec. 7, right before the new year, but its opening was anything but smooth, and everything but fast. Riders immediately grew frustrated over the vehicles’ slow speeds and constant stopping at red lights, the uproar grew so loud that city council quickly approved a motion by Mayor Olivia Chow to speed it up along with all LRT and streetcar lines in the city. Updates on that progress are expected in the new year.
@nowtoronto The long-awaited #FinchWestLRT has finally hit the tracks, marking the first new transit line to be unveiled in #Toronto since 2002. Hundreds of #TTC ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
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TORONTO TEMPO ANNOUNCEMENTS
Toronto sports fans just couldn’t get enough this year, and the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo certainly kept fans on their feet ahead of their first official season next year. This year, we saw the team announce Sandy Brondello as its first head coach. Brondello brings 27 years of WNBA experience as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. In addition, the team also revealed their stunning jerseys which features their team’s colours, Borealis Blue and Tempo Bordeaux. Fans can expect more announcements and updates as the team gears up for their big debut in May 2026.
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EGLINTON LRT DEADLINE MISSED… AGAIN
2025 has come and gone, but the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is still not in service. At one point, it really did appear as if the crosstown, which started construction in 2011, would finally open this year. Several updates by Metrolinx and the province over the summer pointed at an opening in the fall, but that did not happen. Luckily, the crosstown did complete its revenue service demonstration this year, and if Toronto is lucky, an opening in early 2026 is sounding more and more likely.
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