The FIFA World Cup is coming to Toronto next year — and a whole host of renovations are coming to the city’s biggest soccer stadium.
Today, the City and Toronto and MLSE provided further detail into the renovations at BMO Field, which is coming via a $123-million investment from the City and a $23-million investment from MLSE.
“Sport brings us together, as Torontonians and Canadians. As we prepare to host FIFA World Cup 26, we’re investing in infrastructure for Toronto’s future. We are supporting Team Canada while investing in the next generation of great Canadian athletes,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a release.
The biggest temporary change includes a previously announced 10,000 temporary seats added on the north grandstand and 7,000 on the south grandstand, bringing the capacity to 45,000 for the duration of the tournament.
Additional permanent changes include four new LED videoboards in the stadium’s corner columns, self-serve technology at select concession stands, stadium Wi-Fi upgrades, a new centre-field lounge on the west side of the stadium, and a ticketed rooftop patio with a 1,000-person capacity set to open after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The renovations began in December 2024 and are expected to be completed by March 2026.
“The exciting changes to the stadium… are also intentionally designed to permanently benefit Toronto sports fans for the future. We look forward to creating a lasting world-class sports experience for all fans entering the stadium for years to come,” said Nick Eaves, chief operating officer at MLSE.
The opening match involving Canada will take place in Toronto on June 12, 2026, with the final match in Toronto being a Round of 32 match on July 2, 2026.
BC Place in Vancouver is the only other Canadian venue for the World Cup, as they will host seven matches in the tournament, including a pair of knockout round matches concluding with a Round of 16 matchup on July 7, 2026.
