Love Park Sails Brings Miniature Yacht Experience to Toronto Waterfront During FIFA World Cup 2026™
Love Park will turn into a hands-on sailing space during FIFA World Cup 2026™ game days in Toronto.
Love Park Sails is presented by Art & Water in partnership with the Waterfront BIA. The free activation invites visitors to sail miniature pond yachts across the park’s central pond.
The event takes place at Love Park, 96 Queens Quay West. It will run on six Toronto match days from June 12 to July 2, 2026.
Event detail:
- Location: Love Park, 96 Queens Quay West, Toronto
- Dates: June 12, 17, 20, 23, 26 & July 2, 2026
- Time: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free
A Waterfront Activation Inspired by Global Traditions
The idea takes inspiration from Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. There, visitors sail small wooden boats across the park pond.
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Now, that tradition is coming to Toronto’s waterfront. However, Love Park Sails adds a FIFA World Cup 2026™ connection.
Each yacht features a sail representing a nation playing in Toronto. As a result, the pond becomes a small tribute to the global tournament.
Handcrafted Boats by UK Artisan Cliff Grove
The miniature yachts used in Love Park Sails are handmade by Cliff Grove, a pond yacht builder with decades of experience in traditional model boat craftsmanship.
Grove traveled from the United Kingdom for the project’s debut in Toronto, where he described the vessels as a combination of woodwork, canvas, brass detailing, and carefully balanced sail design. His work brings a heritage craft element into a contemporary public setting.
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What Visitors Will Experience
Across each scheduled activation day, guests can take part in:
- Free public participation
+ 30-minute sailing sessions on Love Park’s pond - Miniature yachts representing FIFA World Cup 2026™ nations
- Family-friendly waterfront programming
- Open access activity suitable for all ages
The format encourages spontaneous participation, allowing visitors to step into the experience without tickets or advance booking.
Love Park as a Public Space for Play and Gathering
Love Park, opened in 2023 as part of Toronto’s waterfront redevelopment, has become a flexible civic space designed for gatherings, installations, and seasonal programming.
Its central reflecting pond, heart-shaped layout, and open pathways make it a natural setting for temporary public art interventions. During FIFA World Cup 2026™ programming, the space will shift into an active cultural hub connecting sport, water, and community use.
About Love Park Sails
Love Park Sails is a public waterfront activation created by Art & Water in partnership with Waterfront BIA. The project brings miniature pond yacht sailing to Toronto’s waterfront during FIFA World Cup 2026™ game days, offering a participatory experience that blends art, play, and international sporting culture.
Additional information: https://www.waterfrontbia.com/events/love-park-sails
Media Contacts: Mat (Vales) Slaman – hello@art-water.ca Katherine Hebb – katherine@waterfrontbia.com
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