Stephanie Jones (’07) has led operations planning and extensive stadium renovations at Toronto Stadium in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
By Abby Ann Ramsey Peters (’24)
Alumna Preps Toronto Stadium for World Cup
Stephanie Jones (’07) has spent years traveling the world for sport.
She helped run operations for road cycling and marathons at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. She was in Sochi, Russia, in 2014 helping facilitate the opening and closing ceremonies for the winter Olympics. She’s traveled to Orlando and Sydney to help manage the Invictus Games. And that’s just to name some of the traveling she’s done since graduating with a master’s in sport studies.
Now, Jones is set to help host FIFA World Cup 26 games on her own turf.
Originally from the east side of Quebec, Jones currently serves as program lead for venues and operations for the FIFA World Cup 26 at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Partnership in Toronto. Her stadium was selected to host six of this year’s World Cup matches.
Toronto Stadium has had to nearly double in size in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games.
Jones expected that Toronto Stadium would be hosting some of the matches but seeing it in the list of locations selected was incredibly meaningful.
“We started thinking about how we are one of the 16 cities that get this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Jones. “I think that’s when it became very real—to see the name Toronto up there with New York City, Atlanta, Miami, and Mexico.”
Getting Toronto Stadium ready for the tournament has involved planning countless operations details as well as extensive stadium renovations. The stadium is accustomed to hosting Major League Soccer and Canadian Football League games, but it has had to nearly double in size in preparation for FIFA World Cup 26.
Jones is the single point of contact for FIFA, managing the operations decisions and changes that need to be made to make the tournament a success.
“Everything is just so much bigger in size and in precision as well, so it’s been a busy time as we help ensure that everything is perfect for the fans,” says Jones.
It’s a fast-paced, bustling environment, but it’s one that Jones’s experience as a Volunteer has prepared her for.
When Jones, who studied at Canada’s Brock University for her undergraduate degree, was given the opportunity to do a year abroad at an American university, she knew she had to take it.
She was fascinated by the college sports landscape of the Southeast, and it was the era of Pat Summitt and Candace Parker—UT was immediately her top choice. Jones later earned her master’s at UT and credits her time at the university with helping her navigate the competitive world of sport management.
The moment I tell someone from FIFA I went to the University of Tennessee, they think that’s incredible. Without Tennessee, I don’t think I’d be in the position I am in today. You bleed orange forever, and I’m forever grateful for it.”
Stephanie Jones (’07)
At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Jones helped run operations for road cycling and marathons.
UT gave her the opportunity to attend sports conferences, work with national partners like Adidas, and even spend time in Beijing right before the 2008 Olympic Games.
More than that, however, the university gave her connections to SEC culture and UT athletes, coaches, and staff who have attended various Olympic games. Now with UT’s role in FIFA World Cup 26, the impact of those connections has become even more evident.
“The moment I tell someone from FIFA I went to the University of Tennessee, they think that’s incredible,” says Jones. “Without Tennessee, I don’t think I’d be in the position I am in today. You bleed orange forever, and I’m forever grateful for it.”
