Soccer in the City: Community Care
The following information is from the Toronto Underhoused and Homeless Union (TUHU) and the Toronto Drop-In Network (TDIN) – June 2026
Click here for a PDF of the flyer.
What is the World Cup and when is it happening?
It is an International soccer tournament hosted in Toronto from June 11th- July 19th at the BMO Field located at 170 Princes’ Blvd.
What are t he risks and why?
There will be increased private security and police presence during this time, especially on game match days, in the area of the BMO Field, the Fan Festival grounds at Fort York, on the streets in neighbourhoods surrounding this area, on public transit vehicles, and at transit stations (like Union Station). We want people to be safe and connected to community, and encourage folks to avoid potential interactions with police and/or security. We want to keep people from forced removals from public space, verbal abuse and dehumanization, physical assaults by security and police. We don’t want increased targeting of visibly poor and homeless people in the name of FIFA – related city “cleanups”.
Match Days and Times:
Friday June 12: 3:00PM
Wednesday June 17: 7:00PM
Saturday June 20: 4:00PM
Tuesday June 23: 7:00PM
Friday June 26: 3:00PM
Thursday July 2: 7:00PM
FIFA-IMPACTED ZONE: PARKDALE TO UNION STATION
There will be increased risk of large crowds of pedestrians, as well as increased private security and police, in several neighbourhoods – Harborfront/City Place, Parkdale, Fort York/Liberty Village, Queen West
TTC Stations that will have increased security:
Union Station, Bathurst Station, Dufferin Station
Streetcars with increased security:
Dufferin 29/92, King 504, Bathurst 511, Harbourfront 509.
Visit a Drop-In to access food, water, harm reduction supplies, indoor space and other services.
FIFA-IMPACTED ZONE drop-ins include:
Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC):
1499 Queen Street West
Mon-Thurs 9:00am – 6:00pm, Fri 12:30pm – 4:30pm, Sat/Sun: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Breakaway:
21 Strickland Avenue
Mon-Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm (Community Dinner 5:00pm – 7:00pm Thursdays)
The Dale Ministries:
Mon Lunch 1:00pm -2:00pm at 245 Dunn Ave,
Tues Breakfast 10:00am – 11:00am at 201 Cowan (They also do outreach)
Evangel Hall Mission (EHM):
552 Adelaide Street West
Mon-Fri 9:00am – 12:30pm
West Neighbourhood House: The Meeting Place:
588 Queen Street West
Tues 11:00am -3:45pm, Wed-Sat 10:00am – 3:45pm
Special respites may also be made available for extreme heat days.
Quick Reference if police approach you:
1. Stay calm. Be polite. De-escalation is often the best tool to avoid problematic interactions. Comply with requests to move off private property as you are able. Request a few minutes if you need it to gather your things.
2. If police approach you, you can ask: “Am I free to go?”
3. If given a direction to stop or leave, comply if you can.
4. If you cannot or do not comply, you may be required to give your name, date of birth, and address.
5. You do not have to answer any other questions.
6. You can say at any time: “I want to speak to a lawyer.”
7. If searched without consent, say: “I do not consent to being searched”, but do not physically resist.
8. Note the officer’s name and badge number. Ask for a receipt.
Note: If someone is overdosing and you call 911, no one at the scene can be charged under Bill 6 based on what police find when they arrive.
For legal help, contact your local community legal clinic (www.legalaid.on.ca/legal-clinics/) or call Legal Aid Ontario at 1-800-668-8258
Were you harassed by security or police? Contact the Toronto Underhoused and Homeless Union (TUHU) to share your story and connect with community. Torontohomelessorganize@gmail.com / 437-238-3424
TUHU meets in-person every 1st Tuesday of the month at 6pm at 40 Oak Street.
Are you looking for a drop-in program and/or meal? Go to www.tdin.ca/meals to find an up-to-date list ofdrop-ins with meal programs and other services (both in the FIFA zone and across the city)