Item - 2026.FWC11.1

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Subcommittee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize an exemption with respect to the sale and distribution of plastic bottled water to support expected large audiences and potentially unmet hydration needs, in addition to providing multiple hydration options, including HTO To Go water trailers, for the duration of the FIFA Fan Festival™ to be held at Fort York and the Bentway from June 10 to July 19, 2026, inclusive, and at the events set out in Attachment 1 to the report (March 26, 2026) from the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to be held at Nathan Phillips Square from May 18 to July 20, 2026, inclusive.

2. City Council authorize the use of special effects pyrotechnics as part of events to be held at Fort York and the Bentway from June 10 to July 19, 2026, inclusive, and at events set out in Attachment 1 to the report (March 26, 2026) from the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to be held at Nathan Phillips Square, from May 18 to July 20, 2026, inclusive, with all permissions contingent upon securing a permit from Toronto Fire Services to discharge fireworks under Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 466, Fireworks, and providing sufficient protective measures for Fort York to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning.

3. City Council authorize the operation of a beer and wine Vintners Quality Alliance garden and the sale and distribution of alcohol as part of events set out in Attachment 1 to the report (March 26, 2026) from the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to be held at Nathan Phillips Square from May 18 to July 20, 2026, inclusive, contingent upon the following conditions:

a. approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario;

b. approval of the Medical Officer of Health;

c. compliance with the City of Toronto's Municipal Alcohol Policy; and

d. receipt of all the necessary permits associated with the production of the event, including building permits, and a noise by-law extension permit.

4. City Council authorize the use of sound amplification from May 18 to July 20, 2026, inclusive, between the hours of 08:00 to 23:00, which is beyond the accepted Nathan Phillips Square's amplification schedule policy hours, contingent upon securing a Noise Bylaw Exemption permit through the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division and adhering to the Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 591, Noise, along with mandatory sound monitoring by the City's preferred audio company, Production Service Industries, throughout the event to ensure compliance with schedules.

5. City Council authorize sports demonstrations at Nathan Phillips Square as part of events set out in Attachment 1 to the report (March 26, 2026) from the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture from May 18 to July 20, 2026, inclusive.

6. City Council authorize the placement of objects, including a mini-soccer pitch, in the reflecting pool at Nathan Phillips Square for the purposes of providing free access to the public and community organizations and associated event activation and programming, as part of events set out in Attachment 1 to the report (March 26, 2026) from the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to be held at Nathan Phillips Square from May 18 to July 20, 2026, inclusive.

7. City Council grant permission to the FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat with respect to the installation of banners, decals and other pageantry elements on the City Hall building and on Nathan Phillips Square structures, including windows, walkways and other surfaces deemed suitable through review with Heritage Planning and Corporate Real Estate Management from May 4 to July 23, 2026, inclusive.

8. City Council request the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026, Toronto Secretariat and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to explore the opportunity of a revenue sharing agreement in the sale and distribution of beer and wine for events being held at Nathan Phillips Square for the period of May 18 to July 20, 2026.

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 seeks delegated authorities and/or exemptions to specific by-laws to facilitate the planning and delivery of several initiatives supporting Toronto’s role as a Host City.

This report is a coordinated response, led by the FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Secretariat (FWC26 Secretariat), in collaboration with Solid Waste Management Services, Economic Development and Culture, Corporate Real Estate Management, and Parks and Recreation.

The Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Secretariat (FWC26 Toronto Secretariat) will be submitting a supplementary report to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Subcommittee before its meeting on March 30, 2026 that will include recommendations around exemptions from various by-laws to facilitate the planning and delivery of the FIFA World Cup 2026.