The FIFA World Cup is coming to Toronto this summer. Six matches at BMO Field (Toronto Stadium for the tournament) between June 12 and July 2. Tens of thousands of people descending on a neighbourhood that is not built for tens of thousands of people.
If you have kids and you live here, or you’re thinking about making the trip, you’re probably wondering whether this is actually worth doing as a family. The honest answer is: it depends entirely on how you go in.
TL;DR: Toronto is hosting 6 World Cup matches at BMO Field from June 12 to July 2. Tickets are largely gone and expensive. The free FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York runs June 11 to July 19. For most families, the fan fest is the smarter call. Plan your transit early, bring snacks, and set your expectations before your kids do.
First, the reality on tickets
Primary tickets are mostly gone. What’s left on the secondary market is expensive. We’re talking $500 a seat as a starting point, closer to $1,500 and up for the Canada matches. For a family of four, that’s a real number.
A few other things worth knowing before you decide to chase them.
Kids don’t get a discount. FIFA charges full price for every seat, regardless of age. Children under 2 who sit on a lap don’t need a ticket, but everyone else pays the same as an adult.
No re-entry. Once you’re in, you’re in. There’s no stepping out to take a breather or grab something from the car. Plan accordingly.
Bag policy is strict. One clear bag, maximum 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a small clutch. Diaper bags count toward this limit and must also be clear. If you’re bringing a kid who needs a full kit of supplies, figure out your bag situation before you get to the gate.
None of this means don’t go. It means go with eyes open.
The Fan Festival is probably your move
Fort York and The Bentway are hosting the official FIFA Fan Festival from June 11 to July 19. Free admission. Big screens. Food, live entertainment, and the full World Cup atmosphere without the ticket cost or the stadium logistics.
This is where most Toronto families are actually going to experience the World Cup, and there’s nothing second-class about it.
I’ve been to enough big Toronto events to know that sometimes the thing happening outside the main event is the better day. The Raptors championship parade in 2019 was one of the best things I’ve done in this city with my kids. Nobody needed a ticket. It was just a massive crowd of people who all wanted to be somewhere together, and the energy was unlike anything else. Hot, packed, and completely worth it.
The fan fest is that, with shade structures and a schedule.
If you’re only going once, pick a match day. The atmosphere will be completely different when there’s a game on versus a quiet weekday in the middle of the tournament.
Getting there
BMO Field is not on the subway. It never has been. If you’ve been to a Toronto FC game, you already know this.
On match days, Lake Shore Boulevard West will be fully closed. The surrounding streets around Liberty Village and Fort York will be restricted to local traffic. Driving is not your plan. Rideshares drop you off at designated zones outside the closure area, which means you’re walking the last stretch anyway.
The TTC is adding service on the 504 King and 511 Bathurst streetcars, and on the Dufferin bus. It will still be packed. Build in more time than you think you need.
If you live within walking distance, walk. This is one of those situations where being close to the stadium is a genuine advantage. The Raptors parade was wall-to-wall people for blocks in every direction, and the only thing that made it manageable was not having to think about a car.
What the day actually looks like with kids
World Cup matches run about two hours of play, plus stoppage time, plus halftime. You’re looking at close to three hours in a venue with 45,000 people, loud music, and food lines.
Kids who are genuinely into soccer will probably be fine. Kids who are tired after the first goal are a different calculation.
A few things worth thinking through before you go.
Eat before you get there. Food at the stadium and at the fan fest is going to be expensive, and the lines will be long. A hungry kid at hour two of a match is not a problem you want to solve in real time.
Have an exit plan. Not because you expect it to go wrong, but because knowing you can leave if you need to makes the whole day less stressful. The no re-entry rule at the stadium makes this matter more than usual: once you commit, you’re committed.
Dress for June in Toronto. Hot and humid is the most likely outcome, but this city will give you a thunderstorm on a Tuesday afternoon without much notice. Layers and sunscreen are both reasonable.
Bring water. Especially if kids are younger. Especially if it’s hot. This is the advice nobody thinks about until they’re standing in the sun at noon.
For families visiting Toronto
If you’re coming from out of town specifically for the World Cup, a few things are worth knowing.
Hotel prices are high. Significantly higher than normal, with some properties running two to three times their usual rate on match days, and minimum stay requirements are common. If you haven’t booked, looking slightly outside downtown, Mississauga, Vaughan, or even Hamilton, will get you a better rate and a manageable commute.
The city is going to feel different for the whole month. It won’t just be match days. The fan fest runs for 22 days, international visitors will be around for weeks, and the general energy is going to be present whether you’re near the stadium or not.
That’s actually worth leaning into if you’re visiting with kids who want the full experience. You don’t have to center every day around a match. The city itself becomes part of the trip.
Go to a pub. Go to a watch party. I remember one summer for the Euro Championships, there were TV’s outside everywhere. Especially if you are in a neighbourhood that clearly backs a certain nationality.
Best places to watch the World Cup in Toronto if you don’t have tickets
Is it worth it?
If you have tickets: yes, go. Know your logistics, set realistic expectations, and let the kids soak it up. This is a genuinely rare thing. Canada has never hosted a Men’s World Cup.
If you’re going to the fan fest: also yes. Pick a match day, get there early enough to find a good spot, eat before you arrive, and treat it like the CNE. Fun if you spend the day wisely. A grind if you go in without a plan.
If you’re on the fence about whether to bother at all: the World Cup is happening in your city whether you participate or not. At a minimum, take the kids down to the neighbourhood on a match day and let them feel it. You don’t need tickets, a plan, or a budget. You just need to show up.
There are events that happen in a city once in a generation. This is one of them.
FAQ
Do kids need a ticket for World Cup matches in Toronto?
Yes, unless they’re under 2 and sitting on a lap. FIFA does not offer youth discounts. Every other age pays full adult price.
Is the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto free?
Yes. The official fan fest at Fort York and The Bentway runs June 11 to July 19 and is free to attend.
How do I get to BMO Field for a World Cup match?
Transit is your best option. The TTC is adding extra service on the 504 King, 511 Bathurst, and Dufferin bus routes. Lake Shore Boulevard West will be closed on match days, so driving and rideshare drop-off are both limited.
What should I bring to a World Cup match with kids?
Snacks, water, and a clear bag. FIFA’s bag policy allows one clear bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Diaper bags count toward this limit and must also be clear. No re-entry is permitted once inside.
Are there last-minute tickets still available?
Some resale inventory exists but prices are high. Canada matches are listed around $1,500 per seat. Group stage games for other teams are lower but still well above face value.
Don’t get mad at me if some of this information isn’t quite right, I’m just a guy trying to help.
Looking for other ideas on how to explore Toronto this summer with your kids? I’ve listed over 100 outings when you just don’t feel like thinking.
