Ontario Kicks off Interactive Experience at FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto
Province’s unique attractions, destinations and experiences will be brought to life at the Ontario Campus
June 11, 2026
Ministry of Sport
TORONTO — The Ontario government is launching the Ontario Campus, a dedicated community activation zone at FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto at Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway. Bringing together programming from Official Toronto World Cup Host City Supporters including Humber Polytechnic, OPG, OLG and Toronto FC, as well as representation from AFC Toronto, the Campus will highlight Ontario’s attractions, culture and tourism offerings for fans and visitors from around the world.
“We are ready for an unforgettable summer of sport in our province, anchored by the FIFA World Cup 2026™,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. "The Ontario Campus and Ontario Pitch will give residents and visitors a chance to experience the very best of our province while highlighting Ontario's strength as a premier destination for major sporting events."
At the heart of the Campus is the Ontario Pitch, a soccer-meets-mini-golf experience featuring a custom-designed course inspired by some of the province’s most iconic destinations, including Niagara Falls, cottage country and provincial parks. Visitors can also explore exhibits highlighting Ontario’s cultural attractions, vibrant communities and tourism destinations, inspiring future travel and helping guests discover all the province has to offer.
“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. Our government is proud to support the Ontario Campus at the FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto, encouraging fans and visitors to explore more of this incredible province.”
On June 20, the province and City of Toronto will celebrate Ontario Day at FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto. Taking place alongside the FIFA World Cup 2026™ match between Germany and Côte d’Ivoire at Toronto Stadium, Ontario Day will showcase the province’s people, places and talent to visitors from around the world. The celebration will feature live performances by previously announced Canadian artists including Canadian-Jamaican R&B singer-songwriter Aqyila, JUNO-Nominated DJ and record producer DJ Skratch Bastid, Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter and producer k-os, as well as interactive experiences and cultural programming that reflect Ontario’s diversity and creativity. The event will further highlight Ontario’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class events, helping to attract visitors, boost tourism and drive economic activity across the province.
To help fans travel to matches at Toronto Stadium and FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto, Metrolinx will increase service beginning June 10, 2026. GO Transit service on the Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West lines will operate every 15 minutes for most of the day, helping residents and visitors move efficiently across the region during the tournament. Across the network, nearly 3,000 weekly GO trips will be available throughout the competition.
Quick Facts
• Ontario is supporting the City of Toronto’s delivery of FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto from Thursday, June 11, to Sunday, July 19, at Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway. This free 22-day celebration is expected to attract up to 20,000 visitors per day.
• As part of the province's $97 million investment to support Toronto’s role as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Ontario invested $20 million to build the new Centennial Park sport training facility, which will serve as an official training site for the event before transitioning into a permanent community sport and recreation space.
• Hosting the tournament in Toronto will support over 8,700 jobs in Ontario and generate more than $1.3 billion in economic activity across the province.
• To support tourism and local businesses, Ontario is allowing licensed restaurants and bars to extend the sale and service of alcohol across the province until 4 a.m. during FIFA World Cup 2026™. The temporary extension will apply from June 11, 2026, to July 19, 2026.
• With the FIFA World Cup 2026™ expected to bring approximately half a million additional transit riders during the tournament, Ontario is increasing transit service to help keep people moving safely and efficiently across the region.
• Media interested in attending FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto must receive media accreditation through the City of Toronto.
• In 2025-26, the government invested nearly $200 million in the tourism sector through industry funding programs grants, Destination Ontario marketing, ministry attractions and tourism agencies.
• Ontario is Canada’s most-visited region. In 2024, there were 133 million visits to Ontario, generating $34 billion in economic activity and supporting 311,000 jobs. •
Quotes
"With FIFA World Cup 2026™ set to kick off, Toronto will soon be on the world stage as thousands of visitors travel into the city to catch a game. 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."
- Prabmeet Sarkaria
Minister of Transportation
"As Ontario prepares to welcome fans from around the globe for this world-class sporting event, we are continuing to advance a strong plan to showcase the very best of our province. Building on our government’s recent decision to extend last call until 4 a.m. during FIFA World Cup 2026™, from June 11 to July 19, dedicated community initiatives like the Ontario Campus and Ontario Pitch reflects the growing momentum that is building in advance of this once-in-a-generation opportunity. 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."
- Doug Downey
Attorney General
"As the FIFA World Cup 2026™ begins, the Ontario Campus will be an epicentre of Canadian pride, showcasing the best of what Ontario has to offer. Supported by world-class students from Humber Polytechnic, our government is ensuring an unforgettable experience at the FIFA Fan Festival™ while equipping students with the hands-on skills they need to thrive in their future careers, boosting Ontario’s tourism industry and driving our economy."
- Nolan Quinn
Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
"As Ontario hosts the world, Ontario’s Nuclear Advantage will power up the Games for every visitor and every Canadian. This is Ontario’s moment — from building the Western world’s first Small Modular Reactor to initiating the largest transit and nuclear expansion in North America. We are proud to host and promote Ontario’s story to the world as OPG continues to build on-time and on-budget."
- Stephen Lecce
Minister of Energy and Mines
"Toronto is proud to welcome the world to the Ontario Campus at FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto. We applaud the Government of Ontario for its leadership in bringing this experience to life and helping showcase our City and Province on the global stage. This is about more than soccer. It is about bringing people together, supporting local businesses, and providing a free and inclusive space where everyone can take part in this historic moment. We are excited to welcome residents and visitors to our City."
- Olivia Chow
Mayor of Toronto
"The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is an incredible opportunity to showcase Ontario to the world. The Ontario Campus will give fans a fun and memorable introduction to the destinations and experiences that make our province unique. 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."
- Vincenza Ronaldi
President and CEO, Destination Ontario
"As an Official Toronto World Cup 2026™ Host City Supporter, OLG is excited to bring even more energy to the fan experience. Visitors can step into the action on our high-energy, kick-to-win foosball pitch, where every goal turns into a winning moment. It’s a fun, interactive way to celebrate the beautiful game and OLG’s support of local soccer in communities across Ontario."
- Duncan Hannay
President and CEO, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
"Being part of the Ontario Campus is a great opportunity to demonstrate Ontario’s and OPG’s energy leadership to the world, and to remind Ontarians of the role they can play in the province’s energy future. OPG is leveraging the FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto to have real, two-way conversations focused on careers, skills, and OPG’s role in the electricity system – all in a fun and interactive environment."
- Nicolle Butcher
President and CEO, Ontario Power Generation
"As a polytechnic embedded in the life of this city, we are leveraging our expertise, our partnerships, and our students’ talent to help deliver experiences that reflect the best of Toronto. Humber students were involved in every aspect of our activation booth at FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto, including our Soccer Bots, and we look forward to welcoming people from across cultures, generations, and neighbourhoods to experience it firsthand."
- Ann Marie Vaughan
President and CEO, Humber Polytechnic
Additional Resources
• Learn about matches and events happening this summer
• Discover Ontario during the FIFA World Cup 2026™
• New Sport Training Centre at Centennial Park
• Alcohol sale and service extended to 4 a.m. to support local business
• Increasing provincial transit services for FIFA World Cup 2026™ •
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Wesley Austin 6/11/2026 |
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