Item - 2025.EX24.12

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council amend the 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan for Exhibition Place with a project cost of $23.0 million gross and cash flow funding of $15.0 million in 2025 and future commitments of $8.0 million in 2026 to create a new capital project, fully funded from third party funding received from the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., for the enhancement of capital work required for FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto.

2. City Council authorize the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. to receive the $23 million funding contribution required in Recommendation 1 above, with all necessary terms and conditions to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat, including the requirement that Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. is responsible for any cost overruns to improvements funded solely by the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. contribution and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

3. City Council decrease the 2025 Operating Budget for the City Manager's Office by $0.7 million gross and $0 net to reflect a reduced provision for contingency requirements related to FIFA World Cup 2026 hosting costs, currently funded from the Major Special Event Reserve Fund.

4.  City Council increase the 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan for Exhibition Place by $0.7 million gross, cash flowed in 2025, funded by the reallocation of funding from the Major Special Events Reserve Fund previously budgeted within the 2025 Operating Budget for the City Manager's Office, as noted in Recommendation 3 above, to reflect increased design costs as a result of scope changes under the Special Projects - FIFA 2026 (Stadium) project, to be delivered through the existing contract with Gensler Architecture and Design Canada.

5. City Council authorize the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat and the Chief Procurement Officer to amend the non-competitive contract with Gensler Architecture and Design Canada Inc. for architectural services needed for the permanent and temporary upgrades at BMO Field for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto by an additional amount of $664,234.55 excluding taxes ($675,925.08 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), based on the existing contracted terms and conditions.

6. City Council authorize the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat, in consultation with the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, to negotiate and enter into ongoing community programming partnerships and other agreements as necessary, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager and the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, which shall:

a. ensure access to safe, quality and inclusive soccer programming delivered by the City or local neighbourhood partners with a focus, where possible, on Neighbourhood Improvement Areas as well as Indigenous, Black, women and girls, and other equity- deserving youth;

b. support an inclusive, diverse and educated soccer coaching and referee community, starting with entry level training for coaches and officials; and

c. enable a mix of Soccer for All and complimentary recreational programs to sustain inclusive and accessible use of infrastructure that is aligned with community needs.

At its meeting on June 16, 2025, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Subcommittee considered Item FWC5.1 and made recommendations to City Council.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 (FWC26) represents an unprecedented opportunity for the City of Toronto to showcase its global reputation as a diverse, inclusive, and vibrant city. As preparations advance, this report provides a comprehensive update on several key initiatives supporting Toronto’s role as a Host City. It includes the latest progress on the Community Benefits Plan, Social Procurement and Workforce Development, the Community Activation Plan, and support for concurrent special events. In addition, this report outlines the foundational principles guiding the City’s approach to bidding on large international events and provides an overview of marketing and communications efforts tied to FWC26.

Together, these updates reflect the City's commitment to ensuring that the benefits of hosting FWC26 are felt widely across communities, support local economic growth, enhance civic engagement, and strengthen Toronto’s position as a world-class destination for major international events. This integrated approach ensures that equity, economic inclusion, and community vibrancy remain at the core of preparations and legacy planning for 2026 and beyond.

This report is a coordinated response, providing updates and addressing directives from City Council (EX12.2, CC.29.1), led by the FWC26 Toronto Secretariat, in collaboration with Economic Development and Culture, Social Development, Parks and Recreation, Purchasing and Materials Management, and Financial Planning.