Liberty Village emerges as FIFA World Cup party epicentre
With Toronto Stadium nearby, bars and restaurants in Liberty Village are primed for six weeks of fan celebration.
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FIFA festivities kick off in Toronto next week, and residents say the real party will centre on Liberty Village.
The World Cup countdown begins Tuesday, June 10, with a concert at Fort York and The Bentway featuring Bryan Adams, Nora Fatehi with DJ Sanjoy, Vegedream, and Wyclef Jean with AHI. But locals expect the energy to spread across the city as matches continue through July 19.
Liberty Village tops residents' list for World Cup viewing. The neighbourhood's proximity to Toronto Stadium and BMO Field positions it as the natural hub. Bars in the area are already seeing increased crowds ahead of the tournament. Visitors are arriving via Exhibition GO Station, and some residents are renting out homes to FIFA fans.
Canada's first match takes place June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Other anticipated fan zones include downtown near Eaton Centre and Sankofa Square, as well as Harbourfront, where a floating futsal pitch will operate June 11 to July 19.
One resident named Christian told NOW Toronto that Liberty Village's bars — including Local — will be the place to be. "This is where FIFA is taking place, and they've done a really great job with all the stuff around here," he said. Six weeks of soccer, packed patios, and a neighbourhood ready to host them.