×
FIFA World Cup 2026: Toronto drops entry fee, approves free general admission for World Cup fan festival  Toronto has reversed its plan to charge fans to attend its World Cup fan festival, with the city council approving a revised model that includes a free general admission option after some councillors objected that the proposed  fee broke an earlier promise.City staff had proposed a plan last week to introduce  general admission tickets for the event. The festival, which is set to include live match broadcasts, food and entertainment, was originally promoted by the city last year as a “free and inclusive space” for fans to enjoy games during the June 11 to July 19 World Cup.However, after objections from some councillors, who raised concerns about affordability for residents, Toronto mayor Olivia Chow asked staff this week to revisit the ticketing proposal.City staff issued a report on Wednesday proposing that, of the 20,000 general admission tickets available each day, 15,600 will be free and 500 will be reserved for community groups at no cost. There will also be 3,900 premium tickets available daily, priced between 0 and $ 300.ALSO READ: Injured Yamal will come back stronger at World Cup: Barcelona’s FlickIn the original report last week, staff said the ticketing plan was required as a crowd-control measure and to help cover costs related to an “enhanced fan experience”.“Fan Fest should be free for general admission,” Chow told reporters this week before council voted 18-3 to approve the revised plan. “We can offer VIP packages for those who want them, but the gates should be open for everyone.”Toronto, one of 16 cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico hosting matches for the 48-team World Cup, will stage six games.Published on Apr 24, 2026  #FIFA #World #Cup #Toronto #drops #entry #fee #approves #free #general #admission #World #Cup #fan #festival

FIFA World Cup 2026: Toronto drops entry fee, approves free general admission for World Cup fan festival

Toronto has reversed its plan to charge fans to attend its World Cup fan festival, with the city council approving a revised model that includes a free general admission option after some councillors objected that the proposed $10 fee broke an earlier promise.

City staff had proposed a plan last week to introduce $10 general admission tickets for the event. The festival, which is set to include live match broadcasts, food and entertainment, was originally promoted by the city last year as a “free and inclusive space” for fans to enjoy games during the June 11 to July 19 World Cup.

However, after objections from some councillors, who raised concerns about affordability for residents, Toronto mayor Olivia Chow asked staff this week to revisit the ticketing proposal.

City staff issued a report on Wednesday proposing that, of the 20,000 general admission tickets available each day, 15,600 will be free and 500 will be reserved for community groups at no cost. There will also be 3,900 premium tickets available daily, priced between $100 and $ 300.

ALSO READ: Injured Yamal will come back stronger at World Cup: Barcelona’s Flick

In the original report last week, staff said the ticketing plan was required as a crowd-control measure and to help cover costs related to an “enhanced fan experience”.

“Fan Fest should be free for general admission,” Chow told reporters this week before council voted 18-3 to approve the revised plan. “We can offer VIP packages for those who want them, but the gates should be open for everyone.”

Toronto, one of 16 cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico hosting matches for the 48-team World Cup, will stage six games.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #Toronto #drops #entry #fee #approves #free #general #admission #World #Cup #fan #festival

Toronto has reversed its plan to charge fans to attend its World Cup fan festival, with the city council approving a revised model that includes a free general admission option after some councillors objected that the proposed $10 fee broke an earlier promise.

City staff had proposed a plan last week to introduce $10 general admission tickets for the event. The festival, which is set to include live match broadcasts, food and entertainment, was originally promoted by the city last year as a “free and inclusive space” for fans to enjoy games during the June 11 to July 19 World Cup.

However, after objections from some councillors, who raised concerns about affordability for residents, Toronto mayor Olivia Chow asked staff this week to revisit the ticketing proposal.

City staff issued a report on Wednesday proposing that, of the 20,000 general admission tickets available each day, 15,600 will be free and 500 will be reserved for community groups at no cost. There will also be 3,900 premium tickets available daily, priced between $100 and $ 300.

ALSO READ: Injured Yamal will come back stronger at World Cup: Barcelona’s Flick

In the original report last week, staff said the ticketing plan was required as a crowd-control measure and to help cover costs related to an “enhanced fan experience”.

“Fan Fest should be free for general admission,” Chow told reporters this week before council voted 18-3 to approve the revised plan. “We can offer VIP packages for those who want them, but the gates should be open for everyone.”

Toronto, one of 16 cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico hosting matches for the 48-team World Cup, will stage six games.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

Source link
#FIFA #World #Cup #Toronto #drops #entry #fee #approves #free #general #admission #World #Cup #fan #festival

Previous post

Top Raffia Bags for Summer – Julia Berolzheimer

Next post

The Rams’ shocking Ty Simpson pick might have pissed off Sean McVay, and here’s why <div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">There were <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/1111778/nfl-draft-results-2026-pick-by-pick-tracker-for-every-selection">a lot of surprises in the first round of the NFL Draft</a> on Thursday night. The Titans taking Carnell Tate at No. 4? Unexpected. Caleb Downs, Rueben Bain, and Makai Lemon all sliding? Shocking — but it was what the Los Angeles Rams did with the No. 13 overall pick that was truly jaw-dropping, selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson to be their signal caller of the future. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/1111962/nfl-draft-2026-instant-grades-every-first-round-pick">We gave the pick a C+ grade</a>.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It’s not that Simpson is <em>bad</em>, or even that the Rams taking him wasn’t on the cards. In fact, for a long time there was speculation the team would take Simpson in the 1st round, just at No. 29, until Los Angeles traded the pick for Trent McDuffie. The confusion around the selection is aimed more at the fact that taking a quarterback to prepare for the eventuality of Matthew Stafford’s retirement was too cute, and too smart for its own good — especially when the Rams are a team built to win right now.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">This only got worse following the draft when coach Sean McVay looked flat-out annoyed while hearing GM Les Snead wax poetic about Ty Simpson.</p></div><div><blockquote class="duet--article--blockquote _1teeyfa0 ls9zuh9"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1teeyfa8 ls9zuh1">“We’ve talked about the importance of Jimmy [Garoppolo]. To be able to add somebody that you can evaluate a body of work where he was asked to play the position and a lot of things that do translate in terms of concepts, reading with his feet, some of the different things in the drop back in the play-action game and the movement game. There are a lot of things that [Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan] Grubb did that’s very similar to how we operate, so it made it an easier evaluation to be able to say, ‘Alright, what would that look like if he did translate it to our level?’”</p></blockquote></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Here’s another clip from McVay’s post-draft presser:</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The most generous reading of these comments is that McVay is <em>fine</em> with the pick. His verbiage is more akin to how coaches talk about day three picks, not someone you take No. 13 overall. This is especially notable considering the board at the time, which could have landed the Rams someone like Makai Lemon or Kenyon Sadiq, either of whom would have bolstered the Rams passing attack — or even safety Dillon Thieneman, who would have been an upgrade to the secondary.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It’s going to be at least two years before we learn whether or not picking Simpson was a genius move or not, but there are more questions about the pick after people learned that Snead had personal entanglements with the Simpson family.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It’s only natural to question whether or not Snead had tunnel vision for Simpson throughout this process. One would think that a general manager and head coach’s vision naturally aligns, but this is a case where it might not. Snead’s job is to be more forward-looking at the overall health of the franchise, while McVay’s is to get the most out of the guys he has in front of him. There very well could have been friction about seeing the Falcons’ pick (which they obtained in 2025) as a means to land a quarterback, with the expectation that they’ll otherwise be picking in the back-end of the 20s, or hopefully 32 — while McVay didn’t want to put the cart in front of the horse, and instead get someone that would help prevent the Rams from flaming out in the playoffs.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">What makes this all so interesting is that the Rams are typically an organization held up as a paragon of vision and smart decision-making. Selecting Simpson could end up being genius, or a bizarrely desperate move to get a second-round QB talent too early in the draft, just to correct a problem that doesn’t exist yet.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">When Simpson does eventually take over for the Rams at QB, he’ll have barely played football at all since leaving high school:</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">One thing is certain: If the Rams fail to make it to the Super Bowl this season, then everyone will be looking at who could have helped the team with this No. 13 pick — and it won’t be Ty Simpson.</p></div> #Rams #shocking #Simpson #pick #pissed #Sean #McVay #heres

Deadspin | Timbers hand Sounders club-record sixth straight loss  Aug 1, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder David Da Costa (10) controls the ball during the first half against Seattle Sounders FC defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (85) at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images   Brandon Bye scored in the 82nd minute as the Portland Timbers rallied for a 2-1 victory against the visiting Seattle Sounders in a Cascadia Cup clash Saturday night.  Kevin Kelsy scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season for the Timbers (7-8-3, 24 points), who improved to 3-0-1 under interim coach Jack Cassidy. Goalkeeper James Pantemis made two saves.  Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored for Seattle (7-7-3, 24 points), which suffered its franchise-record sixth straight defeat. Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas was credited with three saves.  The go-ahead goal came after Portland’s Cole Bassett passed to David Da Costa at the top left corner of the 18-yard box. Da Costa spun and sent a pass across the top of the penalty area to Bye, whose right-footed shot from 20 yards eluded a pair of defenders and a diving Thomas on its way into the lower left corner of the net.  The Sounders opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Paul Rothrock’s cross from the left wing for Osaze De Rosario was headed away from the top of the 6-yard box by Timbers defender Kamal Miller. The ball fell to Kossa-Rienzi and his left-footed shot from 18 yards out found the lower right corner of the net.   The Timbers tied it in the 41st minute after working the ball down the left wing. Kristoffer Velde’s cross from the edge of the penalty area was slightly deflected by Sounders defender Stuart Hawkins before glancing off Kelsy’s left thigh and into the net from close range. A video review determined Kelsy was just onside on the play.  Rusnak had a chance in the dying seconds of the half, but his shot from the top right of the 6-yard box sliced into the side netting.  Seattle’s Paul Arriola, getting the start at right back, had to come off in the seventh minute because of an apparent lower right leg injury and was replaced by Kossa-Rienzi.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Timbers #hand #Sounders #clubrecord #sixth #straight #lossAug 1, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder David Da Costa (10) controls the ball during the first half against Seattle Sounders FC defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (85) at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Brandon Bye scored in the 82nd minute as the Portland Timbers rallied for a 2-1 victory against the visiting Seattle Sounders in a Cascadia Cup clash Saturday night.

Kevin Kelsy scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season for the Timbers (7-8-3, 24 points), who improved to 3-0-1 under interim coach Jack Cassidy. Goalkeeper James Pantemis made two saves.

Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored for Seattle (7-7-3, 24 points), which suffered its franchise-record sixth straight defeat. Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas was credited with three saves.

The go-ahead goal came after Portland’s Cole Bassett passed to David Da Costa at the top left corner of the 18-yard box. Da Costa spun and sent a pass across the top of the penalty area to Bye, whose right-footed shot from 20 yards eluded a pair of defenders and a diving Thomas on its way into the lower left corner of the net.


The Sounders opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Paul Rothrock’s cross from the left wing for Osaze De Rosario was headed away from the top of the 6-yard box by Timbers defender Kamal Miller. The ball fell to Kossa-Rienzi and his left-footed shot from 18 yards out found the lower right corner of the net.

The Timbers tied it in the 41st minute after working the ball down the left wing. Kristoffer Velde’s cross from the edge of the penalty area was slightly deflected by Sounders defender Stuart Hawkins before glancing off Kelsy’s left thigh and into the net from close range. A video review determined Kelsy was just onside on the play.

Rusnak had a chance in the dying seconds of the half, but his shot from the top right of the 6-yard box sliced into the side netting.

Seattle’s Paul Arriola, getting the start at right back, had to come off in the seventh minute because of an apparent lower right leg injury and was replaced by Kossa-Rienzi.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Timbers #hand #Sounders #clubrecord #sixth #straight #loss">Deadspin | Timbers hand Sounders club-record sixth straight loss  Aug 1, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder David Da Costa (10) controls the ball during the first half against Seattle Sounders FC defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (85) at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images   Brandon Bye scored in the 82nd minute as the Portland Timbers rallied for a 2-1 victory against the visiting Seattle Sounders in a Cascadia Cup clash Saturday night.  Kevin Kelsy scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season for the Timbers (7-8-3, 24 points), who improved to 3-0-1 under interim coach Jack Cassidy. Goalkeeper James Pantemis made two saves.  Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored for Seattle (7-7-3, 24 points), which suffered its franchise-record sixth straight defeat. Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas was credited with three saves.  The go-ahead goal came after Portland’s Cole Bassett passed to David Da Costa at the top left corner of the 18-yard box. Da Costa spun and sent a pass across the top of the penalty area to Bye, whose right-footed shot from 20 yards eluded a pair of defenders and a diving Thomas on its way into the lower left corner of the net.  The Sounders opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Paul Rothrock’s cross from the left wing for Osaze De Rosario was headed away from the top of the 6-yard box by Timbers defender Kamal Miller. The ball fell to Kossa-Rienzi and his left-footed shot from 18 yards out found the lower right corner of the net.   The Timbers tied it in the 41st minute after working the ball down the left wing. Kristoffer Velde’s cross from the edge of the penalty area was slightly deflected by Sounders defender Stuart Hawkins before glancing off Kelsy’s left thigh and into the net from close range. A video review determined Kelsy was just onside on the play.  Rusnak had a chance in the dying seconds of the half, but his shot from the top right of the 6-yard box sliced into the side netting.  Seattle’s Paul Arriola, getting the start at right back, had to come off in the seventh minute because of an apparent lower right leg injury and was replaced by Kossa-Rienzi.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Timbers #hand #Sounders #clubrecord #sixth #straight #loss

World number four Felix Auger-Aliassime will be playing for local pride when the ATP Montreal Masters begins on Sunday in his hometown.

The Canadian returns as second seed to a tournament he attended frequently as a budding young player, when he used to watch and study his sporting idols up close in training between matches.

“There were several times when I didn’t have a ticket, so I would watch all the training sessions,” he said on Saturday at the event, where he is seeded behind Roland Garros winner and Wimbledon runner-up Alexander Zverev.

“I learned even more things during training since they (fans) have the chance to be very, very close to the players.”

Auger-Aliassime recently split with his longtime coach of 10 years, Frederic Fontang, after losing a frustrating Wimbledon five-set quarterfinal to Novak Djokovic.

He will have the bulk of the crowd support at an event which is missing major stars including top-ranked Jannik Sinner, who opted not to play in the wake of his Wimbledon triumph to send tournament organisers into crisis mode.

Joining the Italian on the sidelines with less than a month to go before the US Open begins are the 39-year-old Djokovic and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, still testing and healing the right wrist injury which has kept him off court since mid-April.

Auger-Aliassime’s best performance at the Canadian event was a quarterfinal four years ago. Last year he lost in the second round.

Despite the hometown support, Auger-Aliassime said he will aim to stick to his usual routines and focus solely on his game.

“Already, my expectations or hopes are at the same level as the public’s. So already, there is no gap at that level,” he said.

“I have my work to do, I have my preparation, I have my routines, so all that doesn’t change.

“I try to change as few things as possible, even if I’m playing in Montreal. Yes, I’m a bit more in-demand obviously than at other tournaments, but I try to keep my routines.

“The brain is used to having its routines. And that helps to program oneself well or to prepare well for the tournament.”

All 28 seeds in the 128-strong field receive first-round byes, with Auger-Aliassime set for the second round against the winner from France’s Luca van Assche and a qualifier.

Top seed Zverev reached the Canadian semifinal in Toronto a year ago.

Australian Alex de Minaur takes the third seeding ahead of Daniil Mdevedev while defending champion Ben Shelton is seeded fifth.

Published on Aug 02, 2026

#AugerAliassime #playing #hometown #pride #Montreal #Masters">Auger-Aliassime playing for hometown pride at Montreal Masters  World number four Felix Auger-Aliassime will be playing for local pride when the ATP Montreal Masters begins on Sunday in his hometown.The Canadian returns as second seed to a tournament he attended frequently as a budding young player, when he used to watch and study his sporting idols up close in training between matches.“There were several times when I didn’t have a ticket, so I would watch all the training sessions,” he said on Saturday at the event, where he is seeded behind Roland Garros winner and Wimbledon runner-up Alexander Zverev.“I learned even more things during training since they (fans) have the chance to be very, very close to the players.”Auger-Aliassime recently split with his longtime coach of 10 years, Frederic Fontang, after losing a frustrating Wimbledon five-set quarterfinal to Novak Djokovic.He will have the bulk of the crowd support at an event which is missing major stars including top-ranked Jannik Sinner, who opted not to play in the wake of his Wimbledon triumph to send tournament organisers into crisis mode.Joining the Italian on the sidelines with less than a month to go before the US Open begins are the 39-year-old Djokovic and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, still testing and healing the right wrist injury which has kept him off court since mid-April.Auger-Aliassime’s best performance at the Canadian event was a quarterfinal four years ago. Last year he lost in the second round.Despite the hometown support, Auger-Aliassime said he will aim to stick to his usual routines and focus solely on his game.“Already, my expectations or hopes are at the same level as the public’s. So already, there is no gap at that level,” he said.“I have my work to do, I have my preparation, I have my routines, so all that doesn’t change.“I try to change as few things as possible, even if I’m playing in Montreal. Yes, I’m a bit more in-demand obviously than at other tournaments, but I try to keep my routines.“The brain is used to having its routines. And that helps to program oneself well or to prepare well for the tournament.”All 28 seeds in the 128-strong field receive first-round byes, with Auger-Aliassime set for the second round against the winner from France’s Luca van Assche and a qualifier.Top seed Zverev reached the Canadian semifinal in Toronto a year ago.Australian Alex de Minaur takes the third seeding ahead of Daniil Mdevedev while defending champion Ben Shelton is seeded fifth.Published on Aug 02, 2026  #AugerAliassime #playing #hometown #pride #Montreal #Masters

Post Comment