Kensington Market BIA highlights neighbourhood diversity in FIFA World Cup street festival

The Kensington Market Business Improvement Area (BIA) is considering hosting a FIFA World Cup street festival to transform the neighbourhood into a multicultural hub for soccer fans in the area. The BIA is familiar with lively street festivals, such as its Pedestrian Sundays. 

At the monthly BIA meeting on Aug. 13, the fourteen attendees discussed a potential FIFA World Cup street festival for summer 2026. The meeting took place at Red Pepper Spectacle Arts at 160 Baldwin St. on Aug. 13, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The conversation came in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup being held from June 11 to July 19, 2026 across Canada, the United States and Mexico, including the city of Toronto.

The Kensington BIA is looking to leverage the diverse population by highlighting and engaging with its residents rich cultures and backgrounds. They hope to appeal to the soccer fans in the neighbourhood. 

In preparation for the street festival, the BIA would apply to available funding to promote and plan the FIFA World Cup street festival. The meeting members discussed outdoor public screenings of matches but mentioned bylaw restrictions on noise, as well as third-party streaming rules.

Those who attended the meeting voted in favour of forming a special working group consisting of community members and business owners that wish to take on roles for the street festival that may happen next year. 

Swareena Rajkhowa, Kensington Market BIA’s coordinator, is the main point of contact for inquiries on the potential street festival. Anyone who is interested in joining the team or asking questions can contact the Kensington Market BIA at info@kensingtonmarket.to. 

Key takeaways

• The Kensington Market BIA may host a FIFA World Cup street festival next year in anticipation for the FIFA World Cup. 
• The Kensington Market neighbourhood is a multicultural hub with many residents being from Africa, South America and Europe. The BIA hopes to appeal to soccer fans in the area.
• The BIA plans to apply for external funding in preparation for the FIFA World Cup street festival.
• The meeting members discussed possible activities and viewings for the FIFA World Cup but also explored potential challenges such as noise bylaws and third-party streaming regulations. 
• The BIA is planning to create a special working group consisting of community members and business owners in preparation for the FIFA World Cup street festival.
  

CHECK YOUR FACTS

• https://kensingtonmarket.to/kmbia/
• https://torontofwc26.ca/en
• https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/soccer-2026.html