Coming to Toronto for the FIFA World Cup 2026? Make It a Niagara Trip
The FIFA World Cup is finally here! — and if you’ve managed to get your hands on tickets, you’re already ahead of most. But here’s something worth thinking about before you book your hotel: Toronto during the World Cup is going to be expensive, loud, and fully booked weeks in advance.
There’s a better way to do this. Stay in St. Catharines — one hour from Toronto Field on the QEW — and turn your match day into a full Niagara experience. You’ll save money on accommodation, sleep better, and wake up in one of the most beautiful regions in Canada. The match is the main event, but the trip can be so much more.
Getting from St. Catharines to Toronto Field
Toronto Field in Toronto is where Canada’s World Cup matches are being played — and it’s a straightforward drive from St. Catharines.
Approximately 60–75 minutes via the QEW on a normal day
GO Train service runs from St. Catharines to Toronto Union Station, with easy transit connections to the stadium
On match days, consider taking the GO Train to avoid traffic and parking headaches in the city
Trains back to St. Catharines run late into the evening, so there’s no rush after the final whistle
The beauty of this setup: you’re close enough to the action without paying Toronto’s World Cup-inflated hotel rates. During major tournaments, downtown Toronto hotels routinely triple or quadruple in price. St. Catharines gives you the same access at a fraction of the cost.
Before Your Match: Make a Day of It in Niagara
If your match is an evening kick-off, you’ve got the whole day ahead of you. Here’s how to spend it:
Morning: Sleep in, have a proper breakfast, and take a slow start — you’re on holiday, after all
Late morning: Drive out to the Niagara wine route. Visit one or two estates, do a tasting, and pick up a bottle for later. Peller Estates, Trius, and Inniskillin are all within 15 minutes of St. Catharines
Lunch: Settle in for a long lunch at a winery restaurant or grab something in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s charming main street
Afternoon: Head back to the hotel, get changed, and make your way to Toronto in good time for the match
It’s the kind of match-day build-up that most fans never think to plan — and the kind they remember for years.
After Your Match: Celebrate Properly
Win, lose, or draw — St. Catharines has the right energy for after the match. You’re not fighting for a cab in a packed city centre. You’re heading back to the Niagara region, where you can celebrate (or commiserate) at your own pace.
The Holiday Inn St. Catharines is right next to the Parkway Social Entertainment Centre — a great spot to catch the post-match coverage and keep the energy going
Niagara-on-the-Lake has some excellent late-evening dining options if you’re looking for something more relaxed
If you’re staying multiple nights, plan a Niagara Falls visit for the morning after — it’s 25 minutes away and genuinely worth building into the trip
The match ends. The night doesn’t have to.
Where to Stay in St. Catharines
All four of our properties are well-positioned for World Cup travellers, depending on what you’re looking for:
Hampton Inn St. Catharines Niagara — clean, polished, and great for couples or solo travellers who want a reliable, comfortable base
Holiday Inn St. Catharines — ideal for groups, with more space and the entertainment centre next door for pre- or post-match gatherings
Staybridge Suites St. Catharines — perfect if you’re staying for multiple matches or an extended trip. Suite-style rooms with kitchenettes give you flexibility over a longer stay
Best Western St. Catharines Hotel & Conference Centre — a solid, well-priced option for fans who want comfort without overspending
Rooms are already being booked for the World Cup period. If you’re planning to attend a match in Toronto, don’t leave accommodation to the last minute — the whole region will fill up as the tournament approaches.
Make It a Trip Worth Remembering
The World Cup only comes around every four years. If you’re flying in from abroad or making the drive from the US, this is worth doing properly. A few ways to extend the experience:
Niagara Falls — one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in the world, and 25 minutes from your hotel. Worth every minute.
Niagara wine country — world-class ice wine, beautiful estate wineries, and a completely different pace from the city
Niagara-on-the-Lake — a beautifully preserved 19th-century town with great restaurants, galleries, and the Shaw Festival running through December 2026
Old Port Dalhousie in St. Catharines — a scenic waterfront neighbourhood with local dining and a relaxed atmosphere
Whether you’re here for two nights or two weeks, the Niagara region gives you more than enough to fill the time between matches.
Book Early — World Cup Rooms Go Fast
Toronto accommodation during the World Cup will sell out quickly and prices will spike sharply. St. Catharines is your smart alternative — same access, better value, and a genuinely great trip built around it.
Book your stay at heartofniagara.ca and make the most of the World Cup 2026.