The Ontario government has launched the Ontario Campus, an interactive fan zone at the FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto, aiming to give international visitors and local residents a taste of the province’s culture and attractions during the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The dedicated activation area is located at Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway.
The month-long global sporting event, which kicks off this week, presents a significant opportunity for the province to showcase itself on the world stage. Officials hope the campus will encourage visitors to explore Ontario more widely.
A showcase of provincial pride
At the core of the fan zone is the 'Ontario Pitch,' a unique attraction that combines soccer with mini-golf. The custom-designed course features nine holes, each inspired by an iconic provincial destination, including Niagara Falls, the pristine lakes of cottage country, and Ontario's expansive provincial parks. The goal is to offer a fun activity while subtly promoting tourism across the region.
Beyond the pitch, the campus features exhibits from various partners highlighting cultural attractions, diverse communities, and travel destinations throughout Ontario. Official Toronto World Cup Host City Supporters including Humber Polytechnic, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), and Toronto FC are all contributing to the programming.
“This summer, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ brings us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to introduce visitors from around the world to Ontario’s magic,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “From iconic attractions and cultural experiences to our vibrant communities and natural beauty, Ontario has so much to offer.”
The fan festival, which runs from June 11 to July 19, is a free, 22-day celebration expected to draw as many as 20,000 visitors daily.
Economic and tourism boost expected
Provincial officials project that hosting World Cup matches in Toronto will generate over $1.3 billion in economic activity and support more than 8,700 jobs in Ontario. The tournament is also expected to bring approximately half a million additional riders onto the region's public transit systems.
To capitalize on the influx of tourists and support the hospitality sector, the government is allowing licensed restaurants and bars to extend the sale and service of alcohol until 4 a.m. province-wide for the duration of the tournament, from June 11 to July 19.
“It’s another way we are supporting local businesses, strengthening our hospitality sector and delivering a vibrant, world-class experience for residents and visitors alike,” said Attorney General Doug Downey.
The province’s focus on leveraging the World Cup for economic benefit is part of a broader strategy. In the fiscal year 2025-26, the government invested nearly $200 million into the tourism sector through various grants and marketing initiatives. In 2024, Ontario recorded 133 million visits, which generated $34 billion in economic activity, demonstrating the importance of the industry to the provincial economy.
City-wide celebrations and collaborations
On June 20, the province and the City of Toronto will co-host Ontario Day at the fan festival. The event will coincide with the Germany vs. Côte d’Ivoire match taking place at Toronto Stadium and is designed to showcase the province's diverse talent, in the same vein as how Brampton celebrated the FIFA World Cup 2026. The celebration will feature live performances by Canadian artists, including R&B singer-songwriter Aqyila, DJ Skratch Bastid, and rapper k-os.
The fan campus is a collaborative effort involving several major Ontario organizations. OLG is hosting a “kick-to-win foosball pitch,” while OPG is using the event to engage with the public about careers in the energy sector. Humber Polytechnic students were involved in creating their institution's activation booth, including 'Soccer Bots'.
Getting to the games
To manage the significant increase in visitor traffic, Metrolinx is boosting its service starting June 10. GO Transit trains on the Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West lines will run every 15 minutes for most of the day. Across the entire network, nearly 3,000 weekly GO trips will be added to accommodate fans, tourists, and daily commuters.
“Our government is increasing GO Transit and UP Express service to keep people moving quickly and safely, and get fans, tourists, and commuters where they're going throughout the tournament period,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. He noted that efficient transit is crucial for the success of a large-scale international event. Information on navigating the city during the tournament is available on the city's official host website, torontofwc26.ca.
The province has invested $97 million to support Toronto's role as a host city. This includes a $20 million investment in the new Centennial Park sport training facility, which will be used as an official training site for teams during the World Cup. Following the tournament, the facility will become a permanent community sport and recreation space, serving as a lasting legacy of the event. The government has also previously made financial commitments to help municipalities, including with cutting housing development charges to spur growth alongside major infrastructure projects.
Vincenza Ronaldi, President and CEO of Destination Ontario, said the campus will give fans a 'fun and memorable introduction' to the province. “We know that tourism is a powerful economic driver, supporting local businesses, creating jobs and generating benefits for communities and we can’t wait to welcome the world to our beautiful province,” she said.
