Item - 2025.EP17.1

The Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place, recommends that:

1. The Board of Governors of Exhibition Place receive this report for information.

In 2018, Canada, the United States, and Mexico were awarded the 2026 World Cup. The World Cup is the largest single sports event held in the world, rivalling the Summer Olympics as the largest overall. It is held every four years over a period of six weeks. In 2026, the World Cup will be expanded to 48 countries and 104 matches from the current 36 countries, playing 64 games. There will be six matches held at BMO Field.

The event is the world's most watched sporting occasion, attracting a global viewership of four billion people throughout the competition and over 200 million for each match. Overseen by the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA), the World Cup provides significant economic and cultural benefits to host cities. On June 16, 2022, it was announced that the City of Toronto would serve as an official Host City.

As directed by the City Council in 2022, the FIFA World Cup Toronto 2026 Staff Secretariat was established to support the planning, preparation, and execution of the event.

The Executive Director and Project Manager from the City Secretariat Office, along with a representative from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), will attend the Board meeting on June 13, 2025, to provide an update on the planning to Board members.

There are no financial implications associated with this report.