City of Toronto urges fans to leave car at home during FIFA World Cup

The city is encouraging residents and fans to take transit, walk or cycle because there will be road closures during scheduled games

Published Jun 05, 2026  •  Last updated 23 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

The City of Toronto unveiled its FIFA World Cup preparations. on Friday morning at city hall. The message was clear: leave the car at home. Photo by Gordon Anderson/Toronto Sun

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With nine teams and thousands of people expected to arrive in Toronto for the World Cup, the city sent out its collective message on Friday for those taking part in the festivities.

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The message was quite simple: leave the car at home.

“The plan promotes a transit first approach, encouraging residents and fans to take transit, walk or cycle,” said Sharon Bollenbach, the city’s World Cup executive director.

As always, check the individual websites for updates and changes, and check the city’s website for updates and key information.

Soccer pitches at Nathan Phillips Square on Friday morning. Photo by Gordon Anderson/Toronto Sun

Here are key highlights and updates from various agencies in the city:

TTC

In response to the more-than-likely increase in demand, the city’s transit service is ready to respond with increased service along selected routes.

“We are boosting service across all (points), that includes more streetcar service on key routes such as the 509 Harbourfront, 511 Bathurst, the 29 or 929, Dufferin bus and the 504 King,” TTC chief operations and infrastructure officer Fortunato Monaco said. “We are expanding subway service on Lines 1 and 2, including extending late night service on select nights and deploying dedicated shuttle services on match days.”

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Over 600 TTC special event ambassadors will be stationed in locations – including Kipling, Dufferin, Bathurst, Union and St Andrews stations – answering questions providing directions.

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Capital coordination

Again, driving will be restricted, especially during game days.

“There will be changes on the roads, especially near key venues like the Toronto Stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival as well as the waterfront,” said Andrew Posluns, the city’s chief congestion officer and executive director of strategic capital coordination. “On match days, some neighbourhoods, like Liberty Village and Fort York, will be limited to local access only.”

All road closures take effect hours prior to scheduled games and many hours after.

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“There will be some targeted road closures near the venue,” Posluns said. “This includes Dufferin from Springhurst Avenue south to Saskatchewan Drive, Strachan Avenue from east of Liberty Street and down to the Lakeshore, and Lakeshore Boulevard East from Bathurst Street to British Columbia Drive. These closures will start five hours ahead of the kick-off and they will be wrapped up three hours after the match concludes, and drivers who use these routes should be aware and plan ahead.”

Here is a display of the FIFA Fan Festival. The location of the site is at the Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway Photo by Gordon Anderson/Toronto Sun

Toronto Police Service

Toronto Police will be out in full force, with some additional help from around the Greater Toronto Area.

“Tens of thousands of officers will be deployed and, depending on the day and what else is happening in the city, you will see officers from neighbouring police services,” Toronto Police Deputy Chief Robert Johnson said. “There will be officers here from Peel Region, York Regional Police, the Durham Regional Police Service, the OPP, and the RCMP.”

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Johnson also referenced the airspace around the venue and pyrotechnics.

“Drones remain restricted in and around Toronto Stadium, FIFA Fan Festival, Centennial Park and Downsview Park,” he said. “It is a federally designated no-fly zone for all drones.”

“Fireworks are strictly prohibited on the street, in Toronto Stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival,” Johnson added. “Using pyrotechnics of any kind could result in a fine of up to $1,000.”

Metrolinx

“The service plan is ready to go,” Metrolinx COO Sean Fuller said. “Metrolinx is ready to go, and it starts this coming Wednesday. From June 10 to July 5, we will be doing additional FIFA service for the duration.”

Metrolinx will increase train service on the Lakeshore line with 15-minute intervals, along with regional tourist destinations will have regional bus trips to accommodate visitors.

Fuller says to pay attention to the signage around the Exhibition stop as things will change.

“Exhibition Stadium will look different with additional customer service people on site, and safety staff,” Fuller said. “Please follow the signage and everything will be laid out. It is very safe to move people into the event but also post event as well.”

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