David Roberts — Beyond the Pitch: The Social Costs of Hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Urban studies professor examines what mega-events actually do to cities — increased policing, displacement, and the myth of 'world-class' status.
Date & Time at 6:30 PM EST
Location Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto Toronto, CA
Organizer University of Toronto
Why we picked this
Toronto is hosting the World Cup this summer. This lecture asks who actually benefits — and who pays the price. Perfectly timed.
Toronto is a 2026 FIFA World Cup host city, which makes this lecture by U of T urban studies professor David Roberts perfectly timed. His research examines the gap between the promises cities make when bidding for mega-events and what actually happens: increased policing, displacement of vulnerable residents, and the pursuit of “world-class” status at the expense of the people who already live there.
Free and hybrid (in-person and online). Part of the Peter Donnelly Lecture series in Sport Policy Studies.