Toronto and Federal Government Fund New Sports Tech Hub at TMU
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
A combined $900,000 investment aims to create a lasting economic legacy for domestic sports tech startups ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The Government of Canada and the City of Toronto have announced up to $900,000 in funding to launch a local sports technology accelerator, BetaKit reports. The initiative, known as the Future of Sport Lab x FIFA 2026 Legacy Incubation Hub, will be established at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
According to BetaKit, the funding breakdown includes $600,000 from the federal government via FedDev Ontario and up to $300,000 from the City of Toronto. The launch is further supported by contributions from sports organizations and private sector partners, though those entities remain undisclosed.
The hub is designed to provide annual programming for as many as 60 startups focusing on soccer and other sports technologies. The project leverages TMU’s Future of Sport Lab (FSL), an entity founded in 2015 that connects Canadian startups with professional sports franchises.
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 hosting the World Cup represents an "extraordinary opportunity for Toronto" and that such partnerships are necessary to maximize that potential. Government officials intend for the investment to ensure the 2026 World Cup leaves a "lasting economic legacy" for firms in the domestic sports tech sector.