Toronto's FIFA World Cup Fan Festival is no longer free to attend

Toronto's Fort York National Historic Site was billed as a free festival hub for the estimated two million-plus fans planning to come to the city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now, the festival will come at a cost.

A Toronto Star report revealed the city will now charge a C$10 general admission ticket for Toronto's FIFA Fan Festival in an effort to offset additional unseen costs that have exceeded the city's approved hosting budget of $380 million.

The city hopes ticketing the event for the 22 days of the tournament will make up the $6.2-million deficit. 

In addition to the general admission tickets, there are $100 and $300 VIP packages to the event that will offer a premium hosting experience at the Fort York fan fest

A look at Toronto's FIFA World Cup Fan Festival site at Fort York National Historic Site. (City of Toronto)

Charging for tickets is a far cry from what many Torontonians expected for live match broadcasts, music, and local food vendors. The FIFA Fan Fest was originally proposed and marketed as a "no-cost event," which would be a "celebration of soccer" that's accessible to everyone.

A 2018 host agreement Toronto City Council signed with FIFA stipulated that fan festivals in each city must allow "entry free of charge" to spectators. Toronto reiterated that promise last May when it announced the location for its festival, stating it would be a "free and inclusive space for residents and visitors."

Not everyone on the city council is on board with the decision. Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford released a statement opposing the ticketed event.

"Ten dollars might not sound like much at City Hall. But for a family of five, that is fifty dollars before anyone has bought a drink or a meal," said Bradford. "For a lot of families in this city, that is the difference between going and staying home. And for a moment that was supposed to bring Toronto together, that is exactly the wrong call."

Bradford pointed out other host cities (Kansas City, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Vancouver) that have committed to keeping their fan festivals free. Toronto has chosen otherwise.

"Toronto is about to host the world. We should be showing the world what this city is capable of, not nickel-and-diming our own residents for a party we promised would be free," Bradford concluded.

The city will stage six World Cup games between June 12 and July 2, starting with Canada's opening match against Bosnia & Herzegovina.