FIFA Fan Festival, Nathan Phillips Square watch parties cancelled due to poor air quality

FIFA Fan Festival, Nathan Phillips Square watch parties cancelled due to poor air quality

Environment Canada warned residents to cancel, reschedule outdoor activities due to heavy smoke

Several FIFA World Cup watch parties in Toronto, including FIFA Fan Festival, have been cancelled due to an orange-level air quality warning.

Environment Canada issued a poor air quality warning for much of southern Ontario due to heavy smoke and reduced visibility from ongoing forest fires in northwestern Ontario.

The national weather agency urged people to "reschedule or cancel" outdoor activities and to limit time outside.

Watch parties for the Argentina-England match today at FIFA Fan Festival, Nathan Phillips Square and at the University of Toronto have been cancelled due to the poor conditions.

Toronto FIFA watch party cancelled, fan fest altered amid extreme heat

Orange warning issued for poor air quality, heavy smoke in Toronto: Environment Canada

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto team posted on social media that premium ticket holders would be contacted directly for refunds. Wednesday's cancellations marks the

"The health and safety of attendees, staff, volunteers, and emergency personnel remains our top priority," it said.

The City of Toronto echoed those sentiments, saying the game's broad cast was cancelled to protect the health of attendees.

Wednesday's cancellation isn't the first time watch parties have been called off in Toronto. Thunderstorms and extreme weather prompted organizers to shut down events over the duration of the World Cup, including at the opening of Fan Festival last month.