With the 2026 FIFA World Cup rapidly approaching, the city of Toronto and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment announced on Tuesday that all major upgrades to BMO Field have been completed.
The Toronto Stadium at Exhibition Place, commonly known as BMO Field, is set to host six World Cup matches, both group-stage and knockout-round games.
Phase 2 of the construction project included temporary seating expansion, increasing the total seating capacity of the venue to 45,000. It also included new pitch, dugout and player areas, and additional hospitality spaces.
Although the additional seating will be removed after the tournament, many of the infrastructure upgrades will remain as permanent enhancements.
“Completing these upgrades is an exciting milestone for our city. Fans, residents and visitors will share an incredible experience right here in our communities,” Toronto mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement. “The whole world will experience Toronto as the safe, affordable and caring city that it is. This is about more than the matches. It is about bringing people together, celebrating our diversity and showcasing the strength and spirit of our communities while creating lasting benefits for Toronto long after the final whistle.”
Toronto City Council approved a total of $157.9 million in funding across both phases of construction — $132.9 covered by the city and $25 million from MLSE.
Phase 1 upgrades were completed in 2025, which focused on infrastructure improvements such as new broadcast capabilities, lighting and audio, and improved fan amenities.
“With anticipation building in our city for FIFA World Cup 2026, we are proud to unveil, together with the City of Toronto, a world-class stadium to welcome the global game while providing fans with an unparalleled experience,” MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley said in a statement.
“We are grateful to Toronto fans for their patience as construction took place over the past year and we are looking forward to the tournament leaving a meaningful legacy with a number of permanent stadium improvements that will positively transform the fan experience for years to come.”
The World Cup will begin on June 11 and run until July 19.
Canada’s group-stage game on June 12 will be the country’s first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup match on home soil to feature the senior national team.
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