What to know
- Toronto’s Metro Toronto Convention Centre is hosting the 2026 World Poultry Congress from Monday to Friday, bringing together delegates from around 50 countries for the international event held every four years.
- The five-day conference marks Toronto’s first time hosting the World Poultry Congress and features scientific sessions, networking opportunities, student awards, a poster competition, and youth programming.
- Thousands of attendees are expected downtown, which could lead to heavier traffic and slower transit around Front Street, although no road closures are planned.
- The event also includes a gala at the Royal Ontario Museum, offering food, drinks, live music, and after-hours access to the museum’s exhibits.
If you’re planning on spending Toronto’s heat wave outdoors, you may be seeing extra foot traffic in the downtown area, as thousands are expected to visit the Metro Convention Centre for a unique multiday event – the 2026 World Poultry Congress.
The five-day event dedicates programming to the poultry field, bringing around 50 countries to the city, an opportunity that only comes once every four years.
The premier international event is run by the North American Branches of the World’s Poultry Science Association. It’s an opportunity for attendees to mingle and connect with like-minded businesses and professionals.
The location of the gathering changes every time. This year marks Toronto’s first time hosting the event in its 27-year stretch.
The global function was last hosted in Paris, France, and had more than 2,500 in attendance, with 1,993 in-person at the Palais des Congrès, and around 571 attending online, according to poultry production platform AviNews.
Travel impacts
No road closures around the Metro Convention Centre are expected during the course of the multiday event.
Alternatively, with a possible addition of more than two thousand people to the area, residents should account for more traffic and transit slowdowns on and around Front Street until the end of the week.
What attendees can expect?
Those actually attending the event, or those simply curious about what’s planned, can expect multiple activities throughout each day.
Scheduled will be daily scientific educational sessions on all things poultry, as well as a poster judging competition, speeches, an award ceremony for students within the industry, and a youth program to get them involved in the business.
Attendees can also attend the 2026 World’s Poultry Congress Gala at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) on Wednesday evening, enjoying a curated selection of food and drinks, live music, and exclusive after-hours access to the ROM’s exhibits.
The World Poultry Congress begins on Monday and runs until Friday.
