Bell on Monday announced it has committed more than $25 million to expand its wireless network capacity in Toronto and Vancouver to support upcoming FIFA World Cup matches and fan experiences in the two host cities.
At the centre of Bell’s Toronto network enhancements is its 5G+ Advanced network, which went live in the city in March, and is the first in Canada to launch with 5-carrier aggregation (CA) on 3800 MHz spectrum, enabling peak theoretical speeds of up to 4.3 Gbps, according to Bell.
Bell said it has nearly tripled its network capacity at BMO Field (called Toronto Stadium during the World Cup tournament) and is deploying four temporary cell towers (known as Cells on Wheels) to boost coverage at key sites and upgrading more than 45 existing sites in Toronto and Vancouver to deliver enhanced performance across venues, fan zones and other high-traffic locations.
These enhancements are supported by extensive network testing, targeted upgrades and the deployment of diverse fibre interconnectivity, “ensuring strong, reliable performance so fans can stream, share and celebrate every goal,” Bell said in a press release.
“Behind the scenes, Bell’s network teams will be on the pitch 24/7, monitoring and optimizing performance in real time. Bell is also advancing the next generation of connectivity with 5G+ Advanced network slicing trials — independent, secure and dedicated ‘slices’ of the network that support broadcast-grade field reporting and enhanced public safety communications — a winning network strategy built not just for tournament day, but for businesses and first-responders long after the final whistle,” Bell said.
As the official Canadian broadcaster and streamer of FIFA World Cup 2026, Bell Media is delivering live coverage of the tournament across TSN, RDS, CTV, Noovo and Crave.
Bell announced a number of on-site fan activations in Vancouver, powered by its fibre and 5G networks, including a presence at the FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver, which is expected to welcome up to 25,000 fans per day from June 11 to July 19. Bell said the festival activation will provide “engaging fan experiences, connecting them closer to the excitement and passion of the game.”
Bell Media is also partnering with FIFA Canada on the Canada Celebrates nationwide celebration programme bringing the tournament to communities from coast to coast with an on-site soccer experience to help fans connect, share and celebrate.
In addition, TSN will anchor daily coverage from an official broadcast studio at Vancouver’s Jack Poole Plaza from June 11 to July 7. “The studio will serve as a highly visible home base for live hits, interviews and content that moves seamlessly from broadcast to streaming and social,” Bell’s press release said.
“This summer of soccer will create unforgettable moments fans want to capture, share and experience together during the largest soccer matches Canada has ever hosted,” said Mark McDonald, executive vice president and chief technology officer at Bell, in the press release. “From seamless streaming in packed stadiums to reliable connectivity across transit and public spaces, Bell’s 5G+ Advanced network is built to deliver the speed, capacity and reliability customers expect — from world-class moments in sport and long after.”
Rogers also recently announced upgrades to its 5G+ networks in Toronto and Vancouver leading up to the FIFA World Cup.
Photo via OneSoccer
