Millions are being spent to refresh Centennial Park as a training facility and hub for FIFA World Cup teams.
Looks like Centennial Park may become one of the big winners in the upcoming FIFA World Cup soccer tournament next year.
Some $20 million is being spent to upgrade Centennial Park in preparation for the World Cup tournament which will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The City is upgrading its facilities and awarding the naming rights for a Soccer Hub at Centennial, which will be used as a practice field for FIFA teams competing in the matches at modified BMO Stadium.
Council have awarded a multi-million dollar Centennial Park Soccer Facilities Refresh contract to a Gormley, Ont., company Mopal Construction Ltd.
All the updates will be left for the South Etobicoke community to enjoy after the World Cup.
A new domed full size soccer pitch will be erected and left for the community after the tournament.
The park is also slated to receive a domed full-size soccer pitch and other amenities as part of a 20-year revitalization plan.
There will also be a World Cup Training Site and fieldhouse for teams to use.
A report presented to City Council by the World Cup Toronto Secretariat said 12 mini soccer pitches will be created across the City that will be left as a legacy after World Cup is completed.
“The location of the mini-pitches will prioritize high-need, underserved neighborhoods across Toronto, ensuring equitable access to safe play spaces for youth,” according to the study which said the pitches will be maintained and accessible to disadvantaged people.
Canada will host 13 of the 104 games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto. It will cost about $380 million to host the World Cup, of which the City will cough up about $83 million and the remainder paid by the province and Ottawa.
Some of the big name soccer stars will be in town to take part in the world-class tourney.
This report said the 38-day sporting event that attract thousands from around the world will benefit local suppliers, under-represented groups and sustainable practices.
“Toronto aims to deliver a FIFA World Cup that leaves a lasting legacy of cultural enrichment and economic vitality,” according to the report.
The city is planning to spend more than $10 million to install private suites at BMO in a Host City Commercial Hospitality Program to generate revenue.
A FIFA Fan Festival is also planned that will run for the 28 days with free events and entertainment.
Fans will be able to see free live broadcasts of the matches, entertainment and other activities, including curated food experiences.
The joy of victory and the agony of defeat in the beautiful game.
An economic impact assessment said the tournament will take place across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. It said it will result in almost $4 billion in positive economic output for Canada as a host nation.
The study states the event will generate $700 million in government revenue and create more than 24,000 jobs nationwide.
It estimated the World Cup can contribute $940M to the GTA economy and create 6,600 jobs.