Canada's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener — Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina — kicks off on Friday, June 12 at 3:00 PM ET right here in Toronto at BMO Field. It's the moment Canadian soccer fans have waited decades for: a home World Cup match, on home soil, in our city.
Whether you've got a ticket to the stadium, plan to hit the FIFA Fan Festival, or want to find the best bar in the city for the match, this guide covers everything you need to know to make June 12 unforgettable.
BMO Field holds 45,736 fans and will be packed to capacity for Canada's opener. If you have a ticket — or can still get one — this is a once-in-a-generation experience. The atmosphere for a Canada home match at a World Cup will be unlike anything Toronto has ever seen.
Official FIFA tickets can be found through the FIFA ticketing portal. The Last-Minute Sales phase occasionally releases new inventory — check frequently in the days leading up to June 12. Fan-to-fan resale is also available through the FIFA Marketplace (requires login).
For unofficial resale, StubHub typically has Toronto match tickets at a premium. Expect to pay significantly above face value for Canada's opener — it's the most in-demand match of the Toronto schedule.
Gates open 2.5 hours before kickoff. For a 3:00 PM match, aim to be through the gates by 1:00 PM. Security lines will be long on Canada's match day — later arrivals risk missing the opening ceremony and kickoff.
Can't get a ticket? The FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York & The Bentway is completely free and will broadcast every match on massive outdoor screens. For Canada's opener, expect a massive crowd — this will be the biggest single-day event in Toronto during the tournament.
For June 12 specifically, arrive at least 90 minutes early. The Fan Festival will be at maximum capacity for Canada's match — it's worth getting there by 1:00 PM to claim a good spot near the main screen.
Toronto's bar scene will be electric on June 12. Here are the top venues for watching Canada's opener with a crowd:
Liberty Village is walkable from BMO Field and will be the epicentre of match day activity. Expect street closures, block parties, and overflowing patios. Book ahead — these spots will fill up by noon.
165 E Liberty St — Walkable to stadium. Summer patio, Guinness on tap, Brazen Burger. Open from 11:30 AM. ⭐ 4.5 · 6,000+ reviews
Stadium walkable107 Atlantic Ave — Wall-to-wall TVs, separate live music section. Buffalo chicken poutine. Open til 2 AM weekends.
Near stadium171 E Liberty St — Huge pub, great for large groups. Spicy margaritas, slush sangria. ⭐ 4.5 · 4,700+ reviews
Groups welcomeNear Scotiabank Arena — 199 screens, 39-foot HD display. Toronto's ultimate sports bar. Book a table well in advance. ⭐ 4.6
Must book ahead146 Front St W — Steps from Union Station. Great pre-game meetup before heading to the stadium or Fan Festival. ⭐ 4.3 · 7,700+ reviews
Union Station298 Queen St W — Famous Grande Caesar cocktail, multiple TVs, gluten-free options. ⭐ 4.6
Queen WestCanada's opener is the biggest match day of the year. Most Liberty Village bars will be at capacity by 1:00 PM. Call ahead or use OpenTable/Resy to reserve a spot — walk-ins on June 12 may be turned away at the door.
Driving to BMO Field on match day is strongly discouraged — traffic will be severe and parking expensive. Take transit instead.
| Option | Route | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTC Streetcar | 509 or 511 from downtown — direct to Exhibition Place | 20–35 min | $3.30 |
| GO Train | Lakeshore West from Union Station — one stop to Exhibition | 10 min | ~$5 |
| Walk | From Liberty Village bars — straight to the stadium | 10–15 min | Free |
| Bike Share | Waterfront trail to Exhibition Place | 15–20 min | $1/30 min |
| Uber/Taxi | Drop off on Princes' Blvd | Varies | $15–35 |
For a 3:00 PM kickoff, plan to be on the TTC or GO by 1:00–1:30 PM to account for match day crowds and security queues.
June 12 will be unlike any day Toronto has seen in years. Here's what to prepare for:
Interactive map, all 6 match schedules, AI deal search, transit info, and more.
3:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, June 12, 2026. Gates at BMO Field open at 12:30 PM.
BMO Field (Toronto Stadium), 170 Princes' Blvd, Exhibition Place, Toronto ON M6K 3C3.
Check the FIFA ticketing portal for official inventory. Fan-to-fan resale is available through the FIFA Marketplace. Third-party resale (StubHub) will have tickets at above face value.
The FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York & The Bentway is free and will show the match on giant screens. Arrive by 1:00 PM to get a good spot.
Limited parking is available at Exhibition Place but it is very expensive on match days and sells out. Take transit.