Weekend need-to-know: FIFA World Cup arrives in Toronto

After months of anticipation, the FIFA World Cup officially kicks off in Toronto and across North America this weekend. There is extra service on GO Transit and TTC and road restrictions so make sure to map out your route if you are heading to Toronto Stadium or the FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York.

FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup officially kicks off in Toronto this Friday afternoon with the opening match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3 p.m.

The FIFA Fan Festival will also be running all weekend for those who were lucky enough to snag tickets. If you don’t have a ticket to the game, there are many restaurants, bars and free spots across Toronto that will be hosting watch parties.

Find everything you need to know about FIFA in Toronto including road closures, TTC and GO transit adjustments and watch parties here.

Taste of Little Italy

While Italians won’t be able to cheer on their national team in the World Cup, they will be able to celebrate their neighbourhood. Taste of Little Italy is back, shutting down College Street all weekend long.

The massive street festival will feature food, live music, extended patios and multicultural vendors. They also are welcoming fans from around the globe to cheer on their country on College Street.

College will be closed to traffic from Bathurst to Shaw Streets from 10 a.m. Friday to 3 a.m. on Monday.

A full list of events and performances can be found on their website.

North by Northeast

The annual North by Northeast (NXNE) festival is back, launching the next wave of artists in Toronto with packed club shows and industry talks.

Festival passes are still available for the five-day music extravaganza happening at venues across the city. Over 300 artists, including MGK, Jessie Reyez, and IllScarlett will be performing at over 30 venues.

For more details on all the shows and venues, you can visit their website.

Na-Me-Res Traditional Pow Wow

The annual Na-Me-Res Traditional Pow Wow will happening at a new location this year ahead of National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The family-friendly event open to all who wish to experience the vibrant traditions of Indigenous culture is happening at Dufferin Grove Park this Saturday.

There will be drumming, dancing, singing, craft and food vendors, and community booths. Grand Entry begins at noon and the event runs until 5 p.m.

Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival

The Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival is back, but this year it has been officially recognized as a Dragon Boat Canada Race Series Event.

Crews from all parts of North America will head to the Toronto Islands to compete and celebrate the sport that blends cultural heritage, athleticism.

The festival will also feature food vendors, live entertainment and family-friendly activities.

The event will take place on Centre Island on Saturday and Sunday. A full race schedule on their website.

World Naked Bike Ride Toronto

Those participating in the global protest against the use of oil and urban pollution will be in their birthday suits this weekend with the annual World Naked Bike Ride.

It’s happening this Saturday at 1 p.m., but riders are encouraged to gather at 10 a.m. for body painting and bike decorating. The ride starts at Coronation Park and will follow a route along several major streets in the downtown core before ending back at Coronation Park

TTC/GO Closures

There will be no TTC and GO closures this weekend but there will be enhanced service will be in place for those attending FIFA events.

You can find full details on enhanced service on Friday for the TTC here. All the details on GO enhanced service can also be found on their website.

Road closures

Weekend closures

Taste of Little Italy

College Street will be closed from Shaw Street to Bathurst Street beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, and will reopen on Monday, June 15, at 3:00 a.m.

FIFA World Cup

On Friday, June 12 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 17 from 2 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, June 20 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, June 23 from 2 p.m. to midnight, Friday, June 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Thursday July 2 from 2 p.m. to midnight, the following road closures will be in place for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ games in Toronto: 

• Fort York Boulevard from Angelique Street to Lake Shore Boulevard West 
• Lake Shore Boulevard West from British Columbia Road to Bathurst Street 
• Dufferin Street from Springhurst Avenue to British Columbia Road 
• Strachan Avenue from East Liberty Street to Lake Shore Boulevard West 
• Fleet Street from Strachan Avenue to Angelique Street (TTC access only) 

Multiple Road Closures – Portugal Day Parade 

From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 13 the following roads will be closed for the Portugal Day parade:  

• Oakwood Avenue, from Rogers Road to St. Clair Avenue West 
• St. Clair Avenue West, from Robina Avenue to Old Weston Park Road 
• Caledonia Park Road, from St. Clair Avenue West to Davenport Road. 

Kingsway Closure – Filming 

From 7 p.m. on Friday, June 12 to 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, the Kingsway between Elstree Road and Edenbridge Drive will be closed for filming. 

Rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue/Adelaide Street East Bridges Project  

From 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 11 to 5:30 a.m. on Friday, June 12 the following streets will be closed: 

• Eastern Avenue from Sumach Street to Broadview Avenue 
• Adelaide Street East from Parliament Street to Eastern Avenue. 

From 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11 to 5:30 a.m. on Friday, June 12, southbound Don Valley Parkway (DVP) off-ramp to Richmond Street will be closed. 

From 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 14 to 5:30 a.m. on Monday, June 15, the following streets will be closed: 

• Eastern Avenue from Sumach Street to Broadview Avenue 
• Adelaide Street East from Parliament Street to Eastern Avenue. 

From 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 14 to 5:30 a.m. on Monday, June 15 the southbound DVP off-ramp to Richmond Street will be closed. 

Lane and Road Closures – Ride to Conquer Cancer 

From 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 13 the following road restrictions are in place for the Ride to Conquer Cancer: 

• The Queensway from Sherway Gardens Road to The West Mall 
• The West Mall from The Queensway to The West Mall (two northbound lanes) 
• The West Mall from West Mall Crescent to Bloor Street West (one northbound curb lane) 
• Bloor Street West from The West Mall to Peel Region Border (westbound lanes) 
• North Queen Street from The Queensway to Nova Road.  

Gardiner Expressway long-term closure

As part of the long-term construction plan on the Gardiner Expressway, a stretch of the westbound Gardiner has been reduced from four lanes to three. The westbound lane closure will stretch from Park Lawn Road to Grand Avenue in southern Etobicoke. The eastbound lanes along the same stretch will be narrowed, but with no lane reductions, from April 2025 to December 2026.

For full traffic and closure updates, click here for the latest information from 680 NewsRadio Toronto.