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The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off Thursday, with Toronto hosting six matches and expecting 300,000 visitors.
As such, the city is warning the international soccer event could add 10 to 15 per cent more vehicles to downtown roads. Some of them are routes taken by Hamilton commuters and those going between cities for events, work and other visits.
Provincial transit agency Metrolinx says it’s increasing its service between June 10 and July 19, as a way to get people out of their cars and to help ease vehicle congestion during the World Cup.
If you’re in Burlington, Ont., Hamilton or Niagara, here’s what you need to know about travelling to Toronto on GO Transit this month.
More frequent trains between Oakville and Toronto
From June 10 to July 5, trains will run every 15 minutes on the Lakeshore West line, for “most of the day,” Metrolinx says on its website.
In an email, a spokesperson told CBC Hamilton there will be more frequent weekday trips between Oakville GO and Union Station in Toronto from 9:15 a.m. to 6:16 p.m.
Express trips will travel from Oakville GO to Exhibition GO and Union Station between 6:56 p.m. and 11:56 p.m. There will also be westbound trips from Union Station to Oakville GO between 9:32 a.m. and 12:32 a.m.
Metrolinx said it’s adding late-night trains, with the last eastbound train leaving West Harbour GO in Hamilton at 11:24 p.m., and the last westbound train leaving Union Station at 12:47 a.m.
Toronto games will be in the stadium at Exhibition Place, a short distance from the GO station.
On game days — June 12, 17, 20, 23, 26 and July 2 — there will be 15-minute service between Exhibition GO and Union Station, GO Transit says on its website.
Trip times will also be adjusted to line up with game times.
“If you are not travelling to or from Exhibition GO, consider travelling earlier or later to avoid the busiest crowds,” GO Transit said.
Extra buses for Niagara
Between June 11 and 19, Metrolinx is adding weekday and weekend GO bus service between Niagara Falls and Toronto on Route 12 to support increased World Cup travel. Niagara is home to a Fan Zone event and a FIFA ‘Canada Celebrates’ stop in July.
GO Transit advises riders to check its schedule before travelling and allow for extra time.
“Increased demand is expected across our entire network,” Metrolinx told CBC Hamilton.
“We will be monitoring crowd levels at stations, adjusting train times to support safe travel, installing more fare payment devices to reduce lineups, enhancing co-ordination with Toronto police, TTC and City of Toronto, adding extra staff and way finding to help guide customers and preparing our stations and facilities to manage larger crowds.”