2018 Archive

2018 Lists:

Dished has a comprehensive list of over 30 bars that will be World Cup hubs over the next month. It’s a well researched list with a few very specific bars named for specific teams. Bravo Daily Hive.
BlogTO put together a pretty thorough list of locations, with both country specific bars/restaurants and neutral ground sites for best viewing.
The Toronto Sun has put together a list of the 10 best bars to watch World Cup matches in Toronto. It’s a solid list of bars that are guaranteed to have a passionate crowd.
Flare has a decent list of places to watch in the eight major cities in Canada including five+ standard venues in Toronto.

2018 Venues

Peru

There are three great confirmed destinations in the GTA if you are looking for where to watch Peru World Cup games in Toronto. With restaurants in Woodbridge, Toronto, and Oakville, there is no excuse not to get out to support a team that is ending their 36-year World Cup drought.
Mochica – Toronto – In the heart of Toronto’s most reliable soccer viewing destinations, Mochica is opening early for supporters of Peru, and serving delicious food at the same time.
Address: 614 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1B4
RSVP: 647-352-1641
Me Sabe A Peru – Woodbridge – Plenty of TVs and projection of the broadcast will make for a great venue in Woodbridge.
Address: 4000 Steeles Ave W – Woodbridge
RSVP: 905-850-5585
Machu Picchu Restaurant – Oakville
Address: 1272 Speers Rd, Oakville, ON L6L 2X4, Canada
RSVP: 905-847-2228

Iceland

If you are wondering where to watch Iceland World Cup games in Toronto with a lot of supporters, your best bet is the first game on June 16. The match start time is 9 AM and there is going the Icelandic Canadian Club will be gathering at The Football Factory on Bathurst. It is an RSVP event, but if you are cheering for Iceland, you probably already know about it. I’ll definitely be there.
Update: Iceland supporters are invited to join a less formal viewing on Friday, June 22nd at 11am to watch their match versus Nigeria at Il Gatto Nero Caffè Bar, 720 College St., Toronto, ON. You can see the facebook event page here.

Switzerland

The Swiss Club of Toronto has declared The Rushton on St. Clair Avenue West as their viewing head quarters. What’s amazing about the Swiss schedule is that all three games of the round of 32 all start at 2pm. This venue isn’t large so get there early.

Denmark

Betty’s at 240 King Street East, Toronto has been declared the official venue for Danish fans by the Danish Canadian Chamber of Commerce for the tournament, including the 8am start on June 21 vrs. Australia.

Columbia

Baro at 485 King Street West, Toronto has declared themselves Colombia headquarters, and I think they are pretty serious about it.
The Office Pub, a great place to watch all the World Cup games, has also declared themselves the Colombia headquarters in Toronto. The Office Pub was an amazing location for American fans in 2014, it’s a shame they are not in the World Cup this year.
Some of my favourite photos from 2014 were of Columbia fans at El Cielo at 2290 Keele St. near Lawerence Ave. West. It’s a brand new restaurant now called Boca-Chica and it’s going to be another great spot to watch games this year.

Nigeria

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the pan-African hotspot The Suya Spot in North York. It’s a solid spot and the party often spills out into the parking lot.

Germany

There will be German fans in likely every bar in town, but three epicentres are The Pint at 277 Front St. West in Toronto, The German Canadian Club Hansa in Brampton and WVRST on King Street West. I got a media invitation from the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Toronto that said The Pint will be their bar of choice, noting that over 200 German fans are expected there for their first game on Sunday. If it’s anything like The Antler Room from 2014, it’s bound to be rocking. The Hansa Haus in Brampton is likely a better family friendly option, they will be open one hour before each Germany World Cup game. There will be a $6 admission fee. WVRST will have the German games on their big screen and will be another central location sure to be rocking.

Australia

Hemingway’s in Yorkville has been a good spot to find Australia fans in the past, and they are even opening for the 6 AM match against France on Saturday, so I know they are pretty committed.

Iran

Iran fans had a huge viewing party in 2014 and I’ve been told they are gathering again this year, but this time at St. Louis Bar & Grill at 5307 Yonge St in Toronto for the 11 AM game on Friday, June 15.

Japan

For the third FIFA World Cup in a row, the Japanese Football Club of Toronto has organized a family friendly event for Japanese supporters, this time at Soccerworld Polson Pier. The event will be held on June 24th, starting at 9:30 AM (kickoff is at 11 AM) until 2 PM. You can purchase tickets to the event at Eventbrite.

Russia

A great option to watch with fans of the host country is Red Square Restaurant and Banquet Hall in North York. They will have broadcast of all the host country games in Russian and the covered outdoor patio is fantastic, but seats are limited. Oh, and beer is pretty expensive there. Just a warning.

France

Fédération Tricolore de Toronto has organized two viewings at the restaurant-bakery Ricarda’s at 134 Peter St, Toronto. The two games are France-Peru on Thursday, June 21st and France-Denmark on Tuesday, June 26th.

Mexico

El Rincon will again be an epicentre for fans of the most southern co-co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, Mexico. They will open early for all the Mexican games and their fantastic patio is a gem. I shot there in 2014, check out photos at World Cup in Toronto.

Uraguay

Club Uruguay in Concord is the ideal choice for Uruguay fans. I was fortunate enough to witness the surprising upset of England with their fans in 2014, and the pictures are pretty epic, broken leg and all. Take a look at World Cup in Toronto. The address is 101 Freshway Drive, Concord, ON.

Serbia

Etobicoke will be a great spot for Serbian World Cup fans. With restaurants like Zam, Bonimi, and Royal Meats all within a close proximity, it’s a literal epicentre.

Belgium

Belgium Connect @belgiumconnect has tweeted locations for Red Devil supporters for each of the games, thought he June 23rd game is still TBA. Here is their schedule at the moment:
June 18, 11 am ~ Belgium vs Panama at @RealMoMos 51 Colborne St. Toronto, ON M5E 1E3 (647) 343-8801 info@realmomos.com
June 23, 8 am ~ Belgium vs Tunisia, location TBA
June 28, 2 pm ~ Belgium vs England at the Football Factory, 164 Bathurst St.

England

You can pretty much guarantee an English supporter in every bar in the city, and there are dozens of solid choices for English pubs in Toronto. Some of the more significant ones, amongst many, are Opera Bob’s Public House, The Piston, any of The Duke Pubs, Queen and Beaver and many, many more.

Brazil

Lots of great bars will host huge numbers of loud and proud fans from Brazil. I’ve had great success on both St. Clair Avenue West, College Avenue West and Dundas Avenue West, just look for the yellow jerseys and flags. A specific location you can try is Rio 40 on St. Clair West but if that is jammed, just look for the next crowd outside another bar.

Panama

It took me a while to find supporters of Panama. I had not heard anything before their first game, but driving along St. Clair Avenue West, I knew I would find the a row of cars with Panama flags and a bar packed with supporters. Sure enough, L&T Bar Caffe at 1068 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON was the spot, and will be for all other Panama games in 2018.

Poland

While I’m a little biased, as I live in the neighbourhood, Roncesvalles is the tried and true destination to watch the FIFA World Cup in Toronto with Polish fans. I recommend Chopin Restaurant at 165 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, ON as a starter, and if it’s too packed or you want to try something else, The Dizzy, Round the Horn and Gabby’s have GREAT sports viewing atmospheres.

There are many great list of where to watch the World Cup in Toronto.

Interactive Map:

Below is the map that I’ve made based on my experience watching and photographing fans cheering for 54 different countries in Toronto during the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cup. The red points are from the 2006 World Cup when I photographed fans from all 32 teams in that year’s tournament. The green points are for 2010 teams I photographed, the yellow points are 2014, and the blue points are the 2018 teams. The best way to see the map is to click on the “World Cup Venues in Toronto” link at the bottom and open it in a large map, then you’ll be able to see a list of all the countries names on the left hand side of the map.


View World Cup Venues in Toronto in a larger map

Where to watch the World Cup in Toronto.