Toronto’s BMO Field Is Now Ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – Here Is Everything You Need to Know
Something really exciting is happening right here in Toronto this summer. The city is getting ready to host six matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the stadium where it all happens just completed a massive transformation. All major updates to Toronto Stadium, normally known as BMO Field, are now finished ahead of the World Cup games this summer. If you live in Toronto or anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area, this is your moment to be part of one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.
Here is everything you need to know about the stadium, the matches, and how you can be a part of it.
A Quick Summary
- BMO Field has been expanded from 28,000 to 45,000 seats for the World Cup
- 17,000 new temporary seats added in the north and south ends
- Total renovation cost was $157.9 million
- The stadium will be called Toronto Stadium during the tournament
- Toronto is hosting six matches including Canada’s opening game on June 12
- Temporary seats come down after the tournament but all other upgrades are permanent
- The World Cup could bring up to $940 million in economic output to the GTA
BMO Field Has Been Expanded from 28,000 to 45,000 Seats
The latest modifications to the stadium included a temporary expansion of 17,000 seats that increases capacity to 45,000 in total, alongside a new FIFA-regulation grass pitch, new dugout and upgraded player areas.
To put that simply, the stadium has grown by more than 17,000 seats. Ten thousand of the new temporary seats are in the north end, with the other 7,000 in the south end.
The new seats are one of the few things that will not be permanent upgrades but were required by FIFA to have a minimum capacity of 45,000. So once the tournament ends, the temporary seats will come down and the stadium will return to its regular size. But everything else, the new technology, the upgraded facilities, the better fan experience, all stay permanently.
How Much Did This Cost and Who Paid for It?
The total project cost was $157.9 million, with $132.9 million coming from the city and $25 million from MLSE. MLSE stands for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the company that owns Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts.
The upgrades happened in two phases:
Phase 1 (completed in 2025)
- Four new LED screens in each corner of the stadium
- Upgraded audio and Wi-Fi throughout
- New lighting system
- Expanded lounge and hospitality spaces
- New and improved kitchens
Phase 2 (completed March 2026)
- 17,000 new temporary seats
- Brand new FIFA-regulation grass pitch
- New dugouts and upgraded player dressing rooms
- 32 new suites and 4,000 hospitality seats added
- Broadcast infrastructure upgrades to meet FIFA requirements
While the temporary seating will be removed, the city said the other upgrades within the stadium will remain after the tournament ends. So, Toronto residents and sports fans will continue to enjoy a much better stadium long after the World Cup is done.
What Matches Will Be Played in Toronto?
Toronto is hosting six FIFA World Cup matches in total. Here is what is confirmed:
- June 12, 2026 — Canada vs. their opponent in the opening group stage match. This is Canada’s very first ever men’s FIFA World Cup match on home soil.
- Five group stage matches in June
- July 2, 2026 — A round of 32 knockout match
Toronto FC’s sold-out game against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on May 9 will essentially double as a test event before the stadium is handed over to FIFA. So even before the World Cup starts, there is one massive event to look forward to.
The Stadium Will Have a New Name During the World Cup
You might be wondering why people keep saying Toronto Stadium instead of BMO Field. The arena will be called Toronto Stadium for the games in June and July, in accordance with FIFA’s policy on corporate-sponsored names. FIFA does not allow sponsor names on stadiums during its tournaments, so the Bank of Montreal branding is temporarily removed. After the World Cup ends, it goes back to being BMO Field.
What Makes This Special for Our Community
In December 2024, FIFA released an economic impact assessment estimating that FIFA World Cup 26 could generate up to $940 million in positive economic output for the Greater Toronto Area.
That means local businesses, restaurants, hotels, transport services, and communities across the GTA will feel the impact. For those of us who call Toronto home, this is a chance to experience the world coming to our doorstep.
MLSE’s chief operating officer Nick Eaves said that while BMO Field will be the smallest stadium of the 16 host cities, Toronto is the fourth-largest city in North America and will light up through June and July around the great game of soccer in ways no other World Cup city will.
Toronto is a city of immigrants, of communities from every corner of the world. The FIFA World Cup brings all of that together in one place. Whether your home country is playing or you are cheering for Canada, this is something we all get to share together.
We at WIAURA are especially excited for our Malayalee community across Canada. If you are planning to attend a match, cheer from a fan zone, or simply soak in the energy of the city this summer, we want to hear from you.
How to Get Tickets and Plan Your Visit
Tickets for the World Cup matches are available through the official FIFA ticketing platform at Demand is extremely high, so if you have not already registered, do so as soon as possible.
A few practical things to plan for:
- Transit and traffic — The city is developing a full mobility plan to manage the crowds. Expect major congestion around Exhibition Place on match days. Using the TTC is strongly recommended.
- Fan zones — The City of Toronto is expected to set up official fan zones across the city where you can watch matches for free.
- Accommodation — If family or friends are visiting from out of town for the matches, book early as hotels in Toronto will fill up fast.
Stay connected with us at WIAURA for updates, community watch parties, and everything happening around the World Cup in Toronto. Visit us at wiaura.ca to stay in the loop.
This is a once-in-a-generation moment for Toronto and for Canada. If you are part of the Malayalee community in Canada, this is one more reason to be proud of the city and country we have made our home.
Join WIAURA, our community for Malayalees across Canada, to stay informed and connected with everything happening in our community. This is our community, and moments like this are ours to celebrate together. Find us at wiaura.ca.
