Canada World Cup 2026: The Complete Fan Guide to Both Host Cities

Last updated: Jun 22, 2026

Canada hosts 13 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches across Toronto and Vancouver from June 12 to July 7. As a first-time men’s World Cup host, Canada brings two compact, transit-friendly cities with the lowest safety risk of the three host nations. Here is everything you need to plan your trip to both Canadian host cities.

The Two Host Cities and Their Stadiums

Toronto: Toronto Stadium (BMO Field)

Toronto opens Canada’s World Cup campaign on June 12 with the host nation’s first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. BMO Field has been expanded to 45,736 seats after a CA$157.9 million renovation that added temporary stands at both ends of the ground.

The stadium sits at Exhibition Place on Toronto’s downtown waterfront, a short walk from Exhibition GO Station. Toronto hosts six matches total — five group stage games featuring Germany, Ghana, Panama, Croatia, and Senegal alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq, plus one Round of 32 knockout on July 2.

Vancouver: Vancouver Stadium (BC Place)

BC Place seats 54,500 under a retractable roof — the only weather-proof World Cup venue in Canada. The stadium sits in downtown Vancouver along False Creek.

Vancouver hosts seven matches, the most of any Canadian city. Five group stage games include Australia vs Türkiye, New Zealand vs Egypt, and New Zealand vs Belgium, alongside two Canada matches — against Qatar (June 18) and Switzerland (June 24). Two knockout rounds follow: a Round of 32 on July 2 and a Round of 16 on July 7.

For the full fixture list, see the complete match schedule. For details on all 16 venues, check our guide to World Cup stadiums.

Entry Requirements

Canada has no special FIFA visa. International fans enter as regular tourists using one of three pathways:

eTA (CA$7): for visa-exempt nationals flying into Canada — typically approved within minutes
Visitor visa (TRV): for citizens of visa-required countries — can take several weeks to process
Neither needed: US citizens and US permanent residents

Apply well in advance. A match ticket does not guarantee visa approval. In the eTA application, type “FIFA World Cup 26” in the free text field under Background Questions.

For a full breakdown by nationality, see our guides to Canada eTA vs visitor visa for GCC travellers and World Cup visa requirements across all three host countries. Crossing into the US as well? Check if you need FIFA PASS priority access.

Where to Stay

Toronto

Liberty Village, CityPlace, and the Entertainment District are all within walking distance of BMO Field. The King streetcar line runs directly to Exhibition Place. For hotel picks by budget and proximity, see our Toronto World Cup hotel guide.

Vancouver

Yaletown, Gastown, and the West End are closest to BC Place and well-connected by SkyTrain. Any Expo Line station puts you within 15 minutes of the stadium.

Host city hotel rates rise sharply closer to kickoff — book early. Compare options in our hotel price comparison across host cities, or search for hotels in Toronto and hotels in Vancouver on Wego.

Getting There and Getting Around

Flights Into Canada

Toronto Pearson (YYZ) is Canada’s busiest international airport, with direct routes from the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe via Air Canada, Emirates, and Qatar Airways. Vancouver International (YVR) is the Pacific gateway with strong connections from Asia.

The UP Express takes 28 minutes from Pearson to Union Station in downtown Toronto. The Canada Line SkyTrain runs from YVR to downtown Vancouver in about 25 minutes as well.

Search for flights to Toronto or flights to Vancouver on Wego. For route-specific guides, see our World Cup flight articles from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India.

Traveling Between Cities

Toronto and Vancouver are approximately 3,350 km apart by air — roughly the distance between London and Baghdad. Direct flights take about five hours, with Air Canada and WestJet running multiple daily services. There is no practical overland option between the two host cities.

Local Transit on Match Days

In Toronto, TTC streetcars (routes 509 and 511) run to BMO Field every five minutes throughout the tournament. GO Transit’s Exhibition Station sits steps from the stadium, and subway Lines 1 and 2 see increased service on match days.

In Vancouver, SkyTrain is the go-to option. Main Street–Science World Station offers the most direct walk to BC Place, with trains running every 2–2.5 minutes through downtown on match days. Service extends one hour later for late kickoffs. TransLink adds roughly 600 extra bus trips daily, and the SeaBus runs every 10–15 minutes.

Pick up a PRESTO card (Toronto) or Compass Card (Vancouver) at the airport to ride seamlessly.

Matchday Essentials

Tickets and Fan ID

All tickets are sold through FIFA’s official platform — do not buy from unofficial resellers. For pricing and availability, see our World Cup tickets guide.

You also need a FIFA Fan ID, which is free and required for stadium entry alongside your match ticket.

FIFA Fan Festivals

Both cities host free FIFA Fan Festivals with big-screen broadcasts, live music, and food vendors:

Toronto: Fort York and The Bentway, walking distance from BMO Field
Vancouver: Hastings Park (PNE grounds), with dedicated shuttles from Renfrew and 29th Avenue SkyTrain stations

For schedules and lineups, see our FIFA Fan Festival guide.

Safety and Practical Tips

Canada is the safest of the three World Cup host countries. Both Toronto and Vancouver consistently rank among the world’s most livable cities, with low crime rates and approachable police.

Key Things to Know

Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD) — cards and contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted almost everywhere, but carry cash for tips and small vendors
Weather: 15–28°C (60–82°F) in June and July — pack layers and a rain jacket, especially for Vancouver
Language: English throughout both cities
Health: no vaccination requirements for entry, but travel insurance is strongly recommended — hospital visits are expensive for non-residents
Connectivity: tap water is safe to drink, cell coverage is excellent, and free Wi-Fi is available on Toronto’s TTC and at Vancouver SkyTrain stations

For budgeting help, see our World Cup travel price guide.

Beyond Football: What to Do Between Matches

Toronto

Explore the Distillery District’s galleries and restaurants, catch skyline views from the CN Tower, or spend a day on the Toronto Islands. Kensington Market is a must for street food from every corner of the world.

Vancouver

Stanley Park, Granville Island, and the Capilano Suspension Bridge are all within easy reach of downtown. Take the SeaBus to North Vancouver for mountain trails with Pacific Ocean views. The city’s craft beer scene is among North America’s best — Brewery Creek and Mount Pleasant are worth exploring between matches.

Quick Pre-Travel Checklist

eTA or visitor visa secured well in advance
Match tickets from FIFA’s official platform
FIFA Fan ID registered
Travel insurance covering Canadian medical costs
PRESTO card (Toronto) or Compass Card (Vancouver)
Light layers, rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes
Canadian dollars in cash for tips and small purchases

For broader planning across all three host countries, see our complete FIFA World Cup 2026 travel plan. Booking late? Check the last-minute guide.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.