Federal and City Funds Launch Sports Tech Hub at TMU
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
A new accelerator backed by up to $900,000 in public funding aims to leverage the 2026 World Cup to boost Toronto's sports tech sector.
The Government of Canada and the City of Toronto have announced up to $900,000 in funding to establish a local sports technology accelerator, according to BetaKit. The initiative, known as the Future of Sport Lab x FIFA 2026 Legacy Incubation Hub, will be hosted at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
Reporting from BetaKit notes that FedDev Ontario has committed $600,000 to TMU, while the City of Toronto is providing up to $300,000. The launch is further supported by contributions from undisclosed sports organizations and private sector partners. The hub is designed to provide annual programming for as many as 60 startups focusing on soccer and other sports technologies.
Speaking at the TradeTO Trade Diversification Summit at Toronto City Hall, Rechie Valdez, Canada’s secretary of state for small business and tourism, stated that the 2026 World Cup represents an "extraordinary opportunity for Toronto" and that such partnerships are necessary to maximize that potential.
The move builds on the existing Future of Sport Lab (FSL) at TMU, which has connected Canadian startups with professional sports franchises since 2015. According to BetaKit, the federal and city governments intend for the investment to create a "lasting economic legacy" for domestic firms, capitalizing on the increasing use of AI analysis, computer-vision tracking, and in-ball motion sensing in modern athletics.