This project analyzes the perspectives of Parkdale residents on the impact of the FIFA World Cup for themselves and their community. Parkdale is located directly adjacent to BMO Field, where the World Cup matches will be played. Parkdale is a diverse, historic neighbourhood in downtown Toronto's west-end, and is home to mixed-income residents with several intersecting identities, including those who are migrants, immigrants, newcomers, gender diverse, racialized, and poor. As such, the perspectives of these residents on the human rights promises of the FIFA World Cup in Toronto are of vital importance.
We aim to understand how the development of BMO Field and other aspects of the World Cup are impacting the everyday lives of Parkdale residents, who include those from low-income, immigrant, and racialized communities. Previous research has shown that sport mega events such as the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games have resulted in the displacement, overpolicing, and surveillance of those from these communities (Boykoff, 2021; Boyle & Haggerty, 2011; Sugiyama, 2024). Additionally, advocates attempting to illuminate these issues have also been targeted by police in host cities (Boykoff & Zirin, 2024). Additionally, the building or redevelopment of sport stadiums has led to similar outcomes for residents of surrounding neighbourhoods, who become priced out of newly gentrified neighbourhoods (Sze, 2009), lose public spaces (Gerretson, 2022), and reap very few benefits, socially or economically, associated with stadium construction (Engar & du Toit, 2023).
The current study, thus, will investigate whether similar processes and outcomes play out in the case of Parkdale residents, who are steps away from BMO Field and will be impacted by both stadium redevelopment and a mega-event.
The objectives and research questions of the study are to:
- What are the perspectives of Parkdale residents regarding the planning and execution of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto?
- Have, and with what effects, Parkdale residents been impacted by the FIFA World Cup in Toronto?
- What are Parkdale residents' perspectives on the future impacts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto on their community?