Event Details

Jumpstarted by a generous $25 M donation from philanthropists Judy and Wil Matthews and incorporated in 2016, The Bentway is a unique and innovative public space that will transform the vacant and forgotten area underneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway into a new gathering place for the city’s growing population. Stretching from Strachan Avenue to Bathurst Street, this 1.75 km trail and series of public spaces will knit together seven neighbourhoods – Exhibition Place, Liberty Village, Niagara, Fort York Neighbourhood, Bathurst Quay, Wellington Place and CityPlace – and become a gateway to the waterfront, while providing access to important attractions and destinations – from the Budweiser Stage to the Rogers Centre and Harbourfront Centre. This dynamic new urban corridor will activate the community with a continuous multi-use trail providing access to year-round activities and events, including gardens, a skating rink, recreational amenities, public markets, public art, special exhibitions, festivals, theatre and musical performances and more.

This application is for “Fan Central: The Bentway celebrates FIFA 2026”, taking place June 1 to September 30, 2026. The Bentway has an exceptional year on the horizon, as Toronto hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Being selected as the official site for the FIFA Fan Festival, the Bentway has been provided an unprecedented opportunity to reach new audiences and generate international exposure with the games’ central footprint located just two blocks away from their Phase 1 space. The city’s official fan zone, “FanFest” will become the social and cultural heart of the games along with the official “tailgate party”. Working closely with the City of Toronto’s FIFA Secretariat, they will serve as both a host venue and a lead cultural programmer. Programming will include:

(1) Advance Buzz-Building: Starting in late 2025, they will begin long-lead beautification, animation, and buzz-building of their local neighbourhood, helping seed interest from media and audiences alike in the lead-up to the game;

(2) Game Time: During the World Cup, they will offer public art installations, performances, and soccer- based programs through the "games district", engaging fans in unique, "only-by-The-Bentway experiences".

(3) After-Party: In the afterglow of the games, they will thank fans with an ambitious post-FIFA cultural event, tentatively set for September 2026.