The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off this month, and while Toronto and Vancouver are getting all the stadium action, one small Ontario town will have its own quieter claim to World Cup history.
The training sites for the 48 national teams playing in the World Cup were recently unveiled, and only two base camps will be located in Canada. Vancouver will host Canada’s men’s national team, while Panama’s men’s national team will train in a small New Tecumseth town nestled in Simcoe County.
Alliston is about an hour north of Toronto, and with the Panama team settling in from mid-to-late June, it makes for the perfect day trip or small-town weekend escape!
While in town, players will stay at the Nottawasaga Resort & Conference Centre, so it’s a great spot to book if you’re World Cup-curious. Panama’s training areas likely won’t be open to spectators, but the resort itself makes a great getaway, with two full 18-hole golf courses, on-site dining and an all-season country-resort setting.
For a first-time visit, head to Alliston’s downtown core. The main stretch around Victoria Street is packed with cute cafés and indie food stops, making for a much more low-key outing than downtown Toronto. Grab an Iced Mango Matcha or Salted Caramel Freddo at Coffee Culture Café & Eatery on Young St for an early morning pick-me-up before exploring one of Alliston’s biggest draws: Earl Rowe Provincial Park. It’s just minutes from town and is the perfect spot for hiking and canoeing.
The 1.5 km Fletcher’s Mill Pond Trail is the easiest trek at the site (bonus: it passes right by the park’s store, so you can stop in and grab an ice cream along the way), while Lookout Trail is a 4 km loop with a climb to scenic views over the surrounding countryside. The park also has day-use areas and picnic spots, so you can pack a lunch, find a spot to read a good book and enjoy the peaceful lakeside scenery.
The town is also filled with history. Head to the Museum on the Boyne on Fletcher Crescent to check out exhibits that trace the growth of South Simcoe from its early settlement days, then explore the town’s agricultural side at Murphy’s Farm Market and Bakery. The fifth-generation family farm is open year-round with local farm-fresh produce and made-from-scratch baked goods.
For lunch or dinner, William’s Restaurant is a good downtown pick for casual comfort food in a rustic, classy bistro setting with a year-round heated patio. For authentic Italian, head to da Grazia Ristorante on Victoria St East (the Calamarata ai Tre Peperoni is a must).
Save room for dessert. Alliston Cool Moose Creamery serves the most delicious soft-serve ice cream, including a sugar-free vanilla option for those who are more health-conscious.
End your stay with an adults-only stop: Beattie’s Distillers produces farm-crafted potato vodka with a farm-to-bottle approach, so grab a bottle of Blueberry Lemongrass or Sweet Potato vodka as a souvenir!
If you’re simply there for the soccer, Panama’s men’s national team is scheduled to play two of its group-stage matches in Toronto, facing Ghana on June 17 and Croatia on June 23 at Toronto Stadium at Exhibition Place (so maybe time your visit between those two match days).
After exploring Alliston, check out this Ontario beach town: it’s dripping with charm and has four stunning sandy beaches with dreamy Lake Erie views.
