Canada makes its first-ever appearance as a FIFA World Cup host in 2026 — and it is doing so across two of the most beautiful cities in North America. Toronto hosts Canada's historic opening match on June 12 at the expanded BMO Field (now Toronto Stadium), while Vancouver's iconic BC Place dome hosts 7 matches including a Round of 16. Together the two cities stage 13 of the tournament's 104 matches. This guide covers every logistics detail for both venues — transport, hotels, match schedules, and what to do between match days.
Canada is hosting its first-ever men's FIFA World Cup, having previously co-hosted the 1994 tournament (USA only). For 2026, BMO Field is being expanded from ~28,000 seats to 45,736 with 17,756 temporary seats added specifically for the tournament. Vancouver's BC Place retains its existing 54,000-seat retractable-roof configuration.
Source: FIFA / BMO Field official capacity expansion, 2026
Photo by Aditya Chinchure on Unsplash
Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) — World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
Toronto hosts Canada's historic first-ever home World Cup match on June 12 — the moment the entire country has been waiting for. BMO Field will be temporarily renamed Toronto Stadium per FIFA's corporate naming policy. Six matches total, including two featuring Canada's national team and a Round of 32 knockout.
| Date | Match | Group / Round | Kick-off ET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, June 12 | Canada vs. UEFA Playoff A Winner | Group B | 3:00 PM |
| Wed, June 17 | Ghana vs. Panama | Group L | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, June 20 | Germany vs. Côte d'Ivoire | Group E | 4:00 PM |
| Tue, June 23 | Croatia vs. Panama | Group L | 7:00 PM |
| Fri, June 26 | Senegal vs. FIFA Playoff 2 Winner | Group I | 3:00 PM |
| Thu, July 2 | Group K Runner-Up vs. Group L Runner-Up | Round of 32 | 7:00 PM |
Getting to BMO Field — Toronto Transit Guide
BMO Field sits at Exhibition Place on Toronto's waterfront, easily reached from Union Station by streetcar or GO Train. Union Station is the central hub for all of downtown Toronto's transit — most major hotels are within walking distance of it. Allow 45 minutes from hotel to gate including security queues on match days.
- TTC Streetcar (best option): 509 Harbourfront or 511 Bathurst from Union Station to Exhibition Loop — 15 minutes, $3.30 CAD single fare or TTC day pass
- GO Transit (match day trains): Lakeshore West line direct to Exhibition GO Station — 3-minute walk to BMO Field; operates 3 hours before and after each match
- Walking: BMO Field is a 25-minute walk from Union Station along the waterfront — excellent on a clear June evening
- Hotel X Toronto: the only hotel physically adjacent to Exhibition Place — walkable to BMO Field in under 5 minutes
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): drop-off on Princes' Boulevard — expect surge pricing of CAD $25–$60 from downtown on match days
- Driving: parking very limited — Exhibition Place has some lots but GO Transit and TTC are strongly recommended
Best Hotels Near BMO Field — Toronto World Cup 2026
The best hotel strategy for Toronto World Cup matches is to stay near Union Station — the transit hub that connects directly to Exhibition Place in 15 minutes by streetcar. The downtown core and King West neighbourhoods have the widest range of hotels, restaurants, and bar districts for pre- and post-match entertainment.
- Hotel X Toronto — the only hotel adjacent to Exhibition Place; walking distance to BMO Field; upscale, rooftop pool, Book early
- Fairmont Royal York — landmark hotel directly above Union Station; most convenient for GO Train and TTC to BMO Field
- Marriott Toronto City Centre — connected to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, steps from Union Station
- Sheraton Centre Toronto — large event hotel, 10 min walk to Union Station, extensive meeting/event facilities
- Thompson Toronto (King West) — boutique option, rooftop bar, 20 min walk to Union Station, excellent dining neighbourhood
Book Your Toronto World Cup Hotel
Match-date hotel availability in downtown Toronto is extremely limited — June 12 (Canada's opening match) is the most in-demand night in the city's history. Book now.
BC Place Vancouver — World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
BC Place hosts 7 matches — more than any other Canadian venue — including two of Canada's group stage games and a Round of 16 knockout. The stadium's distinctive white retractable roof makes it one of the most recognisable venues in the tournament. BC Place sits on the edge of False Creek in Downtown Vancouver, walkable from most city-centre hotels.
| Date | Match | Group / Round | Kick-off PT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, June 13 | Australia vs. UEFA Playoff D Winner | Group D | 9:00 PM |
| Wed, June 18 | Canada vs. Qatar | Group B | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, June 21 | New Zealand vs. Egypt | Group G | 6:00 PM |
| Tue, June 24 | Switzerland vs. Canada | Group B | 12:00 PM |
| Thu, June 26 | New Zealand vs. Belgium | Group G | 8:00 PM |
| Thu, July 2 | Round of 32 (TBD) | Round of 32 | 8:00 PM |
| Mon, July 7 | Round of 16 (TBD) | Round of 16 | 1:00 PM |
Getting to BC Place — Vancouver Transit Guide
Vancouver has one of the best public transit systems of any World Cup host city. The SkyTrain Expo Line stops at Stadium–Chinatown Station directly adjacent to BC Place — a 2-minute walk from the turnstiles. TransLink will operate extra SkyTrain frequency on all 7 World Cup match days. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) connects via the Canada Line (25 min to Waterfront, then Expo Line to Stadium) in approximately 40 minutes total.
- SkyTrain Expo Line (recommended): Stadium–Chinatown Station — 2-minute walk to BC Place; trains every 3–5 min on match days
- From YVR Airport: Canada Line to Waterfront (25 min) → transfer to Expo Line → Stadium–Chinatown (8 min). Total: ~35 min
- From Downtown/Yaletown: 5–12 minute walk or 1-stop SkyTrain from Granville or Burrard Stations
- From Surrey (Civic Hotel, Surrey Central): Expo Line direct, approximately 35–45 minutes
- Cycling: separated bike lanes run directly to BC Place — Vancouver's bike share (Mobi by Shaw Go) available across the city
- Driving: not recommended on match days — parking near stadium is extremely limited and expensive
- Extra SkyTrain and bus services confirmed by TransLink for all 7 match days at BC Place
Photo by Ishfaq Ahmed on Unsplash
Best Hotels Near BC Place — Vancouver World Cup 2026
Downtown Vancouver and Yaletown are both walkable to BC Place — this is the one World Cup host venue where staying within walking distance of the stadium is genuinely practical. The SkyTrain also makes suburbs like Burnaby and Surrey viable lower-cost bases for fans on a tighter budget.
- JW Marriott Parq Vancouver — luxury, connected to entertainment complex, 5-minute walk to BC Place
- The DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection — design hotel directly adjacent to BC Place; the closest upscale option
- OPUS Vancouver (Yaletown) — boutique, vibrant neighbourhood, 12-minute walk or 1-stop SkyTrain to stadium
- Sandman Hotel Vancouver City Centre — mid-range, downtown location, good value for multi-night stays
- Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Metrotown (Burnaby) — budget-friendly, direct SkyTrain Expo Line to stadium (~12 min), breakfast included
- Civic Hotel Surrey City Centre — value option, Surrey Central SkyTrain directly across the street, 35–45 min to BC Place
Book Your Vancouver World Cup Hotel
Downtown Vancouver hotels near BC Place are the fastest-selling in Canada for World Cup match dates. SkyTrain-connected Burnaby and Surrey options still have availability at better rates.
Toronto vs. Vancouver — Which Canadian City Is Right for Your Trip?
Both cities are exceptional World Cup destinations. This comparison helps fans choosing between the two — or deciding whether to combine both.
| Factor | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|
| Stadium | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) — 45,736 capacity, open-air | Vancouver Stadium (BC Place) — 54,000 capacity, retractable roof |
| Matches hosted | 6 matches — incl. Canada's historic home opener (June 12) | 7 matches — incl. Canada vs. Qatar, Round of 16 |
| Weather (June/July) | 70–80°F (21–27°C), can be humid; occasional thunderstorms | 65–72°F (18–22°C), mild and dry, coolest Canadian host city |
| Transit to stadium | TTC Streetcar / GO Train from Union Station — 15 min | SkyTrain Expo Line to Stadium-Chinatown — 2-min walk |
| Best area to stay | Downtown near Union Station — King West, Entertainment District | Downtown / Yaletown — walkable to BC Place and False Creek waterfront |
| Best day out (non-match) | Niagara Falls day trip (1.5 hrs), Toronto Islands, Distillery District | Stanley Park, Whistler (2 hrs), Granville Island, North Shore mountains |
| Average hotel (match night) | CAD $280–$600/night (mid-range) | CAD $300–$650/night (mid-range) |
| Best for | Fans wanting Canada's home-soil atmosphere and a world-class urban experience | Fans wanting scenic coastal beauty, outdoor adventures, and the most matches |
Canada Entry Reminder — eTA Required for Most International Fans
Most international fans need a Canadian eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter Canada — it costs CAD $7 and takes minutes to apply at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship. It is separate from the US ESTA — having one does not grant entry to Canada. Citizens of India, China, and some other nationalities need a full Canadian Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), which takes 4–8 weeks. Apply before you book flights. For the full breakdown by nationality, see our World Cup 2026 Visa Requirements guide.
Explore Toronto & Vancouver World Cup Tours
Make the most of the world-class cities surrounding both venues — stadium tours, food experiences, guided city walks, and day trips to Niagara Falls or Whistler.
World Cup 2026 Toronto & Vancouver — Frequently Asked Questions
Stay connected across all 16 host cities — no roaming fees
Attending matches in multiple cities? An eSIM lets you activate local data before you land with no physical SIM swap required. Airalo covers 200+ countries with instant digital delivery.
Secure your connection on public Wi-Fi
Fan zones, airports, hotels, and stadium concourses all run shared public networks. A VPN protects your connection when booking tickets, managing banking apps, or accessing travel accounts on the go.