Toronto Argonauts to Play Three Home Games Abroad in 2026

URGENT UPDATE: The Toronto Argonauts will play three home games in other venues during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as confirmed by MLSE president Keith Pelley earlier today. This decision comes as part of a strategic move to adapt to the influx of soccer events scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, impacting Canadian cities.

This unprecedented shift means the Argonauts will host games at Hamilton Stadium, Mosaic Stadium in Regina, and Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg. Pelley emphasized that the choice was made after extensive research into all possible options, including potential venues like the University of Guelph and Queen’s University.

“We spent a lot of time doing research,” Pelley stated. “We looked at every possible option… The best way that we thought to do it next year was to put it in Hamilton, Winnipeg, and Saskatchewan.” This plan comes as both the Argonauts and the B.C. Lions adjust to a packed schedule coinciding with the World Cup, which will see Canada, Mexico, and the United States host the prestigious tournament.

Toronto will be a key player during the World Cup, with BMO Field set to host six matches, including Canada’s historic first World Cup game on home soil on June 12. Vancouver’s B.C. Place will also be busy, staging seven matches, including Canada’s group games on June 18 and June 24.

Pelley defended the decision to relocate home games, citing concerns over potential low attendance. “We didn’t want to host a game with 5,000 or 7,000 fans,” he explained. “We know we could’ve probably easily gotten 7,000 or 10,000 at a game, but we didn’t want to do that. We didn’t think that was great for the brand.”

While this move has drawn criticism from Argonauts fans, Pelley conveyed confidence that relocating the games will ultimately benefit the franchise. “We thought the best thing for the Argos brand long-term was to do exactly what we’re doing,” he continued, highlighting support from the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the decision.

Moreover, the funds generated from these relocated games will be reinvested into enhancing the six remaining contests at BMO Field, aiming to maximize the experience for fans and strengthen the brand.

Stay tuned for further updates as the full 2026 CFL schedule will be released during the off-season, following the conclusion of the Grey Cup on November 16, 2025. Argonauts fans and football enthusiasts alike are encouraged to keep an eye on developments as MLSE strives to make the upcoming season even bigger and stronger.