TORONTO, May 28, 2026 – Metrolinx has announced that GO Transit and UP Express service will be increased from June 10 to July 5 to support Toronto’s 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East will offer service about every 15 minutes during most daytime periods, while additional trains will run between Exhibition GO and Union Station before and after matches. UP Express will also add late-night service during the tournament to support passengers travelling between downtown Toronto and Pearson Airport. For commuters, airport workers, residents around Liberty Village and Fort York, as well as downtown restaurants, small businesses and delivery drivers, World Cup transportation plans will not only affect fans, but may also change commute, delivery and pickup times on some weekdays and weekends.
Toronto will host six World Cup matches on June 12, 17, 20, 23, 26 and July 2. According to the City of Toronto, match-day road closures will generally begin five hours before kickoff and end three hours after the match or earlier. On some dates, closures may run from morning to evening, or from afternoon to midnight. The city also reminds residents that there will be no public parking around Toronto Stadium, Exhibition Place, Liberty Village and Fort York, and vehicle access will be significantly restricted.
The people most affected by these changes will not necessarily be ticket-holding fans. Residents living in the west side of downtown, employees working nearby, commuters who rely on GO Transit to enter and leave Toronto, and restaurants or small businesses that need afternoon or evening deliveries may all face slower regular routes, temporary detours, larger station crowds, or staff who may not be able to catch their usual ride home. For delivery drivers, entering the Exhibition Place, Fort York or Liberty Village areas at regular times on match days may mean encountering road closures, temporary crowd controls or changes to pickup and parking locations.
Metrolinx said Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East will receive increased train service, with more frequent trips between Union Station and Exhibition GO before and after matches. The last Lakeshore West train from Union Station will run as late as 12:47 a.m., while the last Lakeshore East train will run as late as 12:50 a.m. UP Express will add late-night departures from Union Station at 1:15 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. These extra trips may provide more options for airport workers, late-shift service workers and travellers returning home after evening matches, but passengers should still check the daily schedule in advance instead of relying only on regular weekday habits.
The city and transit agencies are also encouraging some travellers to use walking and transit connections. GO Transit says it takes about 45 minutes to walk from Union Station to Toronto Stadium and about 30 minutes to walk to the FIFA Fan Festival, with wayfinding signs to be provided on site. TTC has also said it will increase service on match days, but final schedules will be released closer to the tournament. Travellers coming into the city from Pearson Airport should also note that UP Express is not included in Ontario’s One Fare transfer program.
For small businesses, the more practical preparation is not simply asking whether the tournament will “bring more customers,” but reviewing delivery times, staff schedules and customer pickup arrangements in advance. For example, a restaurant on the west side of downtown that normally schedules supplier deliveries in the afternoon may need to move deliveries earlier or later on match days. Employees who usually drive to work may need to switch to subway, streetcar or GO service. Residents in nearby condos should also watch for local access updates from property management or business improvement areas, so they do not discover at the last minute that they cannot drive in using their usual route.
However, added service does not mean every trip will be faster. Increased transit will mainly apply to specific routes, time periods and event-related areas. Road closures, station lineups, security screening, crowd management and weather may still cause delays. Residents and businesses travelling to or from the west side of downtown, Union Station, Exhibition GO or Pearson Airport between June 10 and July 5 should check GO, UP Express, TTC and City of Toronto service alerts in advance, save backup routes, and allow extra time for deliveries, pickups, commutes and airport trips.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
