{"id":14794,"date":"2025-01-29T15:11:17","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T15:11:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/01\/29\/slimmed-down-world-cup-training-facility-to-be-one-pitch-field-house-in-toronto\/"},"modified":"2025-01-29T15:11:17","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T15:11:17","slug":"slimmed-down-world-cup-training-facility-to-be-one-pitch-field-house-in-toronto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/01\/29\/slimmed-down-world-cup-training-facility-to-be-one-pitch-field-house-in-toronto\/","title":{"rendered":"Slimmed-down World Cup training facility to be one pitch, field house in Toronto"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The 2026 World Cup will have just one official training facility in\u00a0Toronto, consisting of a new pitch and field house at Centennial Park in Etobicoke.<\/p>\n

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Work has already started on the slimmed-down project, in conjunction with a separate 10-year plan to revamp the park, which opened in 1967 to celebrate Canada\u2019s 100th birthday. The former dairy farm has a number of playgrounds, sport fields and other facilities.<\/p>\n

The World Cup training facility will be part of the park but separate from the existing stadium there. Formerly known as Centennial Park Stadium, it was renamed Rob Ford Stadium in May 2024 in honour of the late mayor.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur work is specific to the soccer pitch and a field house,\u201d said Sharon Bollenbach, executive director, FIFA World Cup 2026, for the City of\u00a0Toronto.<\/p>\n

As for what happens to the training facility after the World Cup, Bollenbach said there have been discussions with \u201ca couple of the pro teams in the city, so we hope that there is something that comes out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cBut with that negotiations will come that it has to be available for community use,\u201d she added. \u201cThat\u2019s really important for us as a large legacy element coming out of the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Canadian Premier League\u2019s York United FC and AFC\u00a0Toronto\u00a0of the new Northern Super League both plan to play their matches at York Lions Stadium, which York also trains in. Centennial Park is some 20 kilometres southwest of York Lions Stadium.<\/p>\n

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After the World Cup, the plan is to use a bubble over the World Cup training pitch in winter to keep it in use.<\/p>\n

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The original plan called for multiple training sites in\u00a0Toronto, Bollenbach said. But it was whittled down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe narrowed it down to Centennial Park. At one-time, we were talking two pitches. And now that has been reduced again, down to one,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

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The one training pitch will suffice for the tournament, according to Bollenbach, who says it will mostly be used just on the day preceding matches.<\/p>\n

Some $20 million has been earmarked for the\u00a0Toronto\u00a0training facility, which includes funds to ensure that it ready for long-term use after the tournament.<\/p>\n

Work has also started on improving BMO Field, with capacity being increased to 45,000 for the tournament.<\/p>\n

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