Toronto is hosting six World Cup matches between June 12 and July 2 at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), plus the FIFA Fan Festival runs June 11–July 19 at Fort York and The Bentway. The city expects 300,000 out-of-town visitors and up to 45,000 fans per match.
Here's exactly what's closing, when, and what you can do instead.
Closures in Effect the ENTIRE Tournament (June 11 – July 19)
These aren't just match day disruptions — they're in place for the full 22-day window.
🚫 Tournament-Long Closures
- Fleet Street (Angelique Ave to Strachan Ave) — TTC vehicles only. No regular car traffic for the duration.
- Fort York Boulevard (Angelique St to Lake Shore Blvd West) — Fully pedestrianized. Walk, don't drive.
- Garrison Crossing Bridge — The pedestrian bridge over the rail corridor is CLOSED for the entire Fan Festival period. Cross via Strachan Avenue or Bathurst Street instead.
- All Bike Share docks and bike racks near Exhibition Place, Toronto Stadium, and the Fan Festival — Removed entirely. Temporary Bike Share valet service and bike parking will be available outside Exhibition Place.
- No public parking at Toronto Stadium, Exhibition Place, or surrounding neighbourhoods, including Liberty Village and Fort York.
Match Day Closures (June 12, 17, 20, 23, 26, July 2)
On top of the tournament-long closures, these additional restrictions kick in on the six game days:
- Liberty Village — Local traffic only. If you don't live or work there, you're not driving through.
- Lake Shore Boulevard West (British Columbia Road to Bathurst Street) — Completely closed to regular traffic. Used for bus staging and official vehicles.
- Dufferin Street (south of Springhurst Avenue) — Closed.
- Exhibition GO Station — Becomes a customer-only zone. You need a valid GO Transit fare to access the area.
- Rideshare and taxi pick-up/drop-off — Limited to designated areas outside the restricted zones. Don't expect to get an Uber right at the stadium.
- Strachan Avenue (up to King Street) — The city is considering pedestrianizing this after games end.
- Street parking on Dundas Street West and King Street West — May be removed to keep streetcars moving.
Match Schedule: When Are the Game Days?
| Date | Time | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 12 | 3:00 PM | Canada vs. European Playoff A Winner |
| Wednesday, June 17 | 7:00 PM | Ghana vs. Panama |
| Saturday, June 20 | 4:00 PM | Germany vs. Côte d'Ivoire |
| Tuesday, June 23 | 7:00 PM | Croatia vs. Panama |
| Friday, June 26 | 3:00 PM | Senegal vs. FIFA Playoff 2 Winner |
| Thursday, July 2 | 7:00 PM | Round of 32: Group K vs. Group L |
Transit: What's Being Added
The city is calling this a "transit-first" approach. Here's what's actually happening:
- Harbourfront and Bathurst streetcars: Increased frequency, final stop moved to Fleet Street
- Dufferin and Ossington buses: Running more often
- Shuttle bus: Free service from St. Andrew Station to Fleet Street (connects to stadium and Fan Fest)
- TTC extending service hours on match days
- GO Transit: Increased service to Exhibition GO Station
Interactive Closure Map
See exactly which streets are affected, with match day and non-match day views
What to Do Instead of Driving
The city is blunt: don't drive downtown on match days. Here's what works instead:
1. TTC + Walk
Take the subway to St. Andrew Station, grab the free shuttle, or walk south on Strachan or Bathurst. Easiest and most reliable option.
2. GO Transit
Take GO to Exhibition Station — have your fare ready, it's a customer-only zone on match days. Best option if you're coming from the suburbs.
3. Streetcar
Harbourfront (509) or Bathurst (511) lines to Fleet Street. Both have increased frequency during the World Cup.
4. Bike
Lanes are open but there are no racks near venues. Use the temporary valet parking outside Exhibition Place.
5. Rideshare
Uber/Lyft drop-off at designated areas only. Expect surge pricing — walk north to King Street before requesting a ride after the match.
📅 Stay Updated
Sources
- City of Toronto Mobility Plan (March 26, 2026)
- CP24 Toronto
- CBC Toronto
- The Globe and Mail