Babajide Fadoju
Fans can meet players from AFC Toronto and the Toronto Tempo, enjoy free films, and experience larger-than-life art installations from September 10–13.
The red carpet isn’t the only place to find stars at TIFF this year. Festival Street, running September 10–13 on King Street West, will feature a surprising lineup of athletic talent alongside its usual cinematic offerings.
Feeling sporty? Fans of Canadian soccer can meet players from AFC Toronto, the city’s professional women’s soccer club competing in the Northern Super League. Meanwhile, the WNBA’s newest — and only Canadian — team, the Toronto Tempo, will be on hand with a spin-the-wheel, pop-a-shot, giveaways, and prizes.
The sports activations are part of a broader effort to make Festival Street a destination for everyone, not just film buffs.
“TIFF has always been about bringing people together, and this year we’re thrilled to welcome sports fans into the fold,” said a TIFF representative. “Whether you’re here for the films, the football, or just the fun, there’s something for everyone.”
Beyond sports, the street will be packed with large-scale public art. SLOW, a life-size zoetrope by Naomi Jaye, invites audiences to interact with movement and memory. Disco Speakers by Matt Jones blends disco balls, speakers, and LED lighting into a larger-than-life installation that lights up the night. And The Tree of Cinema, created exclusively for TIFF, weaves iconic film moments with photographs of audiences watching, laughing, and reflecting.
Cinema Park will offer free outdoor screenings nightly at 10pm in David Pecaut Square, featuring classics like City Lights, Madagascar, Strangers on a Train, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and The Great Muppet Caper.
Festival Street will also feature:
A dedicated Food Market with trucks and new partners Eataly, Fox on John, and GRETA
Three DJ stages with rotating lineups including Nino Brown, DEROSE, and Classic Roots
The Little Free Cinema, showcasing experimental Canadian films in a reimagined cinematic space
The Fellini Forever archive, the world’s largest private collection dedicated to the legendary Italian filmmaker
Toronto Animal Services, with adoptable dogs looking for forever homes
Partner activations include the Rogers Red Carpet Experience, Ferrero Rocher Elevated Experiences, the RBC Red Carpet Gallery, and the YouTube x Variety Creator Premiere Showcase, taking place on September 10.
The 51st Toronto International Film Festival runs September 10–20, 2026.