Toronto has launched the Great Beaver Quest, a scavenger hunt challenging World Cup visitors to find 51 beaver statues across the city [1].
The initiative aims to engage international tourists through a football-themed activity that promotes local tourism while celebrating the tournament. By directing fans toward specific landmarks, the city is using the event to showcase the Old Town neighbourhood to a global audience [1].
Participants search for statues placed throughout the Old Town area, with a significant concentration located in and around Berczy Park [1, 2]. Each beaver statue represents one of the countries participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026 [2]. This sculpture trail transforms the urban landscape into an interactive map for visitors staying in the city during the competition [1, 2].
The project began appearing in the city earlier this month, with reports of the statues popping up in the neighbourhood as early as June 3 [2]. The quest is designed to be a family-friendly activity that encourages walking tours of the historic district, a strategy to spread tourist traffic beyond the primary match venues [1].
Local organizers designed the hunt to blend Canadian national symbols with the international spirit of the tournament. The beavers serve as ambassadors for the participating nations, creating a visual link between the host city and the diverse teams arriving in Canada [1, 2].
“a scavenger hunt challenging World Cup visitors to find 51 beaver statues”
The Great Beaver Quest reflects a broader strategy by host cities to monetize and leverage the FIFA World Cup beyond the stadiums. By integrating the tournament into the city's geography through public art and gamification, Toronto is attempting to increase foot traffic in specific commercial and historic districts, ensuring the economic benefits of the event extend to local businesses in the Old Town area.
