Toronto will host a single official training facility for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Centennial Park, alongside upgrades to BMO Field. The project will see a new pitch and field house built, along with increased capacity and updated amenities at BMO Field.
Toronto will be home to a single official training facility for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, located at Centennial Park in Etobicoke. Construction on the new pitch and field house is underway, coinciding with a separate 10-year plan to revitalize the park. This facility will be distinct from the existing Rob Ford Stadium, formerly known as Centennial Park Stadium, which was renamed in May 2024 in honor of the late mayor.
Sharon Bollenbach, executive director, FIFA World Cup 2026, for the City of Toronto, clarified that the project's scope is limited to the soccer pitch and a field house. Discussions are ongoing with several professional teams in the city regarding the facility's future use after the World Cup. Bollenbach expressed optimism about securing a long-term arrangement for the site, emphasizing the importance of community access as a key legacy element. While the Canadian Premier League's York United FC and AFC Toronto of the Northern Super League plan to utilize York Lions Stadium for their matches and training, Centennial Park's location, approximately 20 kilometers southwest of York Lions Stadium, necessitates the dedicated training facility.The World Cup training pitch will be equipped with a bubble covering during the winter months to ensure continued use throughout the year. The original plan consisted of multiple training sites in Toronto, but it was ultimately reduced to a single facility. Bollenbach explained that the pitch will primarily be used the day before matches and that it will suffice for the tournament's needs. Approximately $20 million has been allocated for the Toronto training facility, with funding earmarked for long-term use after the tournament.Toronto is also investing in upgrading BMO Field, increasing its capacity to 45,000 for the World Cup. Work is progressing on the stadium, with the first phase focusing on laying the foundation for the second phase, which will involve installing new temporary seats. The seats will be added to the south and north ends of the stadium, resulting in the replacement of the existing video board in the north end with four new boards positioned on the corners of the lakefront venue. Bollenbach anticipates that at least one or two of the new screens will be installed before the 2025 TFC season. The new screens, sound system, and lighting, along with accessibility improvements, are all part of the tournament's legacy
FIFA World Cup 2026 Canada Toronto Centennial Park BMO Field Stadium Upgrades Training Facility
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