Extreme weather forces cancellation of Toronto’s World Cup fan festival
Thousands of fans were left stranded on Thursday after Toronto’s flagship 2026 FIFA World Cup kick-off party in Canada was abruptly cancelled hours before the event due to extreme weather conditions.
The FIFA Fan Festival was scheduled to take place at Fort York and The Bentway on Thursday night before the cancellation, with Russell Baker, the director of Toronto communications, saying it was due to “out of an abundance of caution” over threats of lightning in the city.
Mr Baker added, “The decision was not made lightly, however safety is our utmost priority.”
The FIFA Fan Festivals are public viewing events organised by the world football governing body in most host cities to screen live matches, along with entertainment such as live music performances.
Reports noted that free general admission tickets were sold out for the Toronto event, while premium packages cost between $100 and $300 each.
It was not immediately clear how, or if, paid tickets will be reimbursed.
The World Cup will kick off on Canadian soil on Friday, with Canada facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in the opening Group B match.
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