The World Cup is in full swing, and though Canada ended its historic run on July 4th losing to Morocco in Round 16, Toronto neighbourhoods still gather to watch the games through to the end. The crowds were epic whenPortugal played against Croatia at Toronto’s Exhibition Place on July 2nd. The Portugal/Croatia game was the final World Cup game to be played in Toronto.
St. Clair West – Corso Italia
Corso Italia is the stretch along St. Clair West, between Westmount Avenue (east of Dufferin Street) and Lansdowne Avenue. The community is considered the second largest Italian enclave in Toronto after Little Italy on College Street. While Italian immigrants settled along College Street, many families moved further north to St. Clair West by the 1970s. In addition to its Italian population, St. Clair West’s neighbourhoods are also home to Latin American and Portuguese populations.
One of the neighbourhood’s largest celebrations took place during the 1982 World Cup. Nearly 300,000 soccer fans took to the streets, shutting nearly 20 blocks down, when Italy won the World Cup. From Heritage Toronto, “Such a large gathering of people…had never taken place in Canada to celebrate a sporting event.”
In 2006, Corso Italia once again celebrated in the vibrant neighbourhood when Italy won then.
Corso Italia and the St. Clair West neighbourhoods are filled with places to watch the game, and to partake in the festivities.
Looking for something else to do in the area? Delicious Discoveries St. Clair West & Casa Loma Food & Walking Tour gets you close to the action!
Little Italy
Little Italy in the College Street West neighbourhood of Toronto is known for its Italian Canadian restaurants and businesses. When arriving in Toronto in the 20th century, Italian families first settled in an area then known as The Ward, at University Avenue and College Street. By the 1920’s, most had moved west of Bathurst Street, the College-Clinton emerging at the city’s Little Italy neighbourhood.
Much like Corso Italia, Toronto celebrates big soccer wins with Little Italy, like in 2021 when Italy won the Euro 2020 final against England.
Little Italy’s many establishments will continue to host soccer fans throughout the rest of the World Cup, but one stop to be sure to make is the historic Café Diplomatico. Founded in 1968, Café Diplomatico was among the first to introduce the concept of outdoor dining to Toronto. After opening, it quickly became a place for newcomers to meet, socialize and speak Italian with one another. Café Diplomatico attracts crowds to gather and watch soccer, especially on its large and bustling summer patio.
In the east end of the city, head to Eastbound Brewing to catch a game. Eastbound Brewing is a great local brewery with beer crafted in-house, and tasty eats from Eastbound Cantina, the brewery’s Tex-Mex restaurant located inside the brew pub. Pair your local brews with delectable tacos while you cheer on your favourite team.
Eastbound Brewing is one of the many excellent stops on our Riverside & Leslieville Food and Walking Tour Experience, so we know they’re an excellent spot.
The World Cup concludes on July 19th, 2026. Make sure to head to the many local spots in Corso Italia and Little Italy to watch the games with fellow soccer fans!