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This past weekend, the TTC successfully tested several key elements of its plans to deliver safe and reliable service when FIFA World Cup 2026 TM kicks off in Toronto next month.
With 30 days until kickoff, preparation has moved from planning to practice. Service delivery, emergency response time, crowd management, and coordination, both internally and with external partner agencies, were all put to the test during the Toronto FC match against Inter Miami at BMO Field. With 45,000 people attending that match and nearly 50,000 at Rogers Centre for the Toronto Blue Jays game on Saturday afternoon, it was the right time to put real-world scenario management to the test.
The TTC added service for the TFC match on critical routes (Lines 1 and 2, 509 Harbourfront and 511 Bathurst) that will serve Toronto Stadium and FIFA Fan Fest areas. A total of 19 subway trains were added and strategically staged for match end, in addition to 13 streetcars on the 509 and 511 routes, which served Exhibition Loop every five minutes on Saturday. Also, the 504 King corridor will have frequent five-minute service from now through the tournament.
The exercise reinforced the value of work already underway, including transit priority measures across much of the network, while also highlighting a small number of intersections where additional coordination with City partners and Toronto Police Service will be required.
The test also confirmed the importance of in-person support during peak demand. Based on observations and customer feedback, we’ll be modifying plans to expand TTC Ambassador presence at additional locations, including TMU and Queens Quay stations.
While the exercise tested most TTC plans, there will be some critical differences on Toronto match days once the event starts. This includes road closures in and around Exhibition Place and Liberty Village on match days and the use of a transit hub at Fleet St. and Strachan Ave., neither of which was in place this past weekend.
The TTC thanks its partners at Metrolinx, Toronto Police Service, Toronto Emergency Services, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Exhibition Place for their support this weekend.
The TTC will continue to refine its plans as needed before and during the World Cup to ensure the event is a success.
For more information, visit ttc.ca/kickoff
SOURCE TTC
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