What to know
- Toronto and Vancouver will host FIFA Fan Festivals for Canada’s match against Switzerland.
- Toronto’s festival at Fort York and The Bentway opens at 1:30 p.m. ET, with live music and match coverage.
- Vancouver’s festival at Hastings Park opens at 10 a.m. PT and will broadcast the game live at noon.
- Organizers in both cities are encouraging fans to use public transit due to expected crowds.
Canada is set to take on Switzerland in its third and highly anticipated FIFA World Cup match, and watch parties across the country are expected to be packed with fans cheering on Team Canada.
From Toronto to Vancouver, FIFA Fan Festivals are gearing up for what promises to be a memorable matchup. Here’s everything you need to know before heading out to support Canada.
Toronto FIFA Fan Festival
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival is taking place at Fort York and The Bentway, where fans can watch the match live on the big screen beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
Festival gates will open at 1:30 p.m., with programming running until 11:30 p.m.
Several musical performances are scheduled throughout the day, including appearances by Alessia Cara, SHOUT! The Band, and Snotty Nose Rez Kids.
Getting there
Organizers recommend using public transit to reach the festival.
Visitors can access the site through the following TTC routes:
- Dufferin Station: Transfer to the 29 Dufferin bus southbound to Dufferin Gate Loop, followed by a 20-minute walk.
- Bathurst Station: Transfer to the 511 Bathurst streetcar southbound to Fleet Street Hub, followed by a five-minute walk.
- Spadina Station: Transfer to the 510 Spadina streetcar to Fort York, followed by a 10-minute walk.
- St. Andrew or King Station: Walk south to Bremner Boulevard and head west toward Bathurst Street. The walk takes approximately 15 minutes.
- Union Station: Walk south to Queens Quay and continue west toward Bathurst Street, passing several FIFA World Cup activations along the way. Visitors can also take the 509 Harbourfront streetcar to Fleet Street Hub, followed by a five-minute walk.
GO Transit
Fans travelling from outside Toronto can take any GO Train to Union Station. From there, visitors can transfer to the TTC’s 509 Harbourfront streetcar or follow the official pedestrian route to the festival, which takes approximately 30 minutes.
Vancouver FIFA Fan Festival
For fans unable to attend the match at BC Place, Vancouver’s FIFA Fan Festival offers the next best thing.
Located at the PNE Grounds at Hastings Park, the festival will open at 10 a.m. PT and run until 10 p.m.
The Canada-Switzerland match will be broadcast live beginning at noon PT.
Festival-goers can also enjoy performances from Los Duendes, Bob Moses, and Sam Roberts Band throughout the day.
Getting there
With limited parking available, organizers are encouraging attendees to use public transit.
The 11 Fan Festival Express bus will operate between 29th Avenue Station on the Expo Line, Renfrew Station on the Millennium Line, and the FIFA Fan Festival throughout the day, with increased service during peak periods.
Additional bus routes and the R5 Hastings RapidBus also serve the festival grounds.
Guests are encouraged to plan their trip in advance using TransLink resources, including service updates, schedules, extended transit hours, and NightBus information.
