Hosting Vancouver's FIFA World Cup games could cost half a billion dollars
Hosting seven games in Vancouver during the 2026 FIFA World Cup could cost more than half a billion dollars, according to an updated estimate provided Tuesday.
The "core cost" of hosting is now pegged at between $483 million and $581 million – approximately double the original range provided when Vancouver was named a host city two years ago.
Inflationary pressures and updated FIFA hosting requirements contributed to the increased costs, B.C.'s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport said.
Officials also originally anticipated hosting five games in Vancouver, not seven.
The government is expecting to offset much of the expenses with $116 million in federal funding, increased tax revenue over several years, and other sources, putting the net cost at between $100 million and $145 million, according to the latest estimate.
"These seven matches are expected to attract more than 350,000 soccer fans," Tourism Minister Lana Popham said Tuesday. "These fans are going to be eating, they're going to be staying, and they're going to be exploring British Columbia – before, during and after this tournament."
The ministry is also anticipating more than one million additional out-of-province visitors over a five-year period following the World Cup, with up to $1 billion in additional tourism spending.
Not everyone is convinced the expected benefits will materialize – including Moshe Lander, a sports economist with Concordia University, who described the event as a "very expensive two-week party."
"It doesn't justify the economic benefits," Lander said. "Vancouver is a global city. It's beautiful, it attracts tourists, it's always full – it can't be more full by hosting a few World Cup games."
It's common for governments to massively overstate benefits and underestimate costs when contemplating these kinds of hosting duties, the economist said – but ultimately, whether the World Cup is worth the price is up to taxpayers.
"This is no different than saying you want to use your public funds to build a new park or a new arena," Lander said. "That's what taxpayers are asked: How do you want to use your tax money?"
Approximately half of the estimated costs are falling on the City of Vancouver, which is currently expected to contribute at least $246 million.
Mayor Ken Sim – a soccer fan who flew to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup – described the event as a "massive opportunity" to "highlight the best city on the planet," which will contribute to Vancouver's reputation as a major tourism and events destination for decades to come.
"We couldn't be more excited," Sim said. "I think it's going to be great for the city, the province and the country."
The provincial government is contributing between $237 million and $305 million, the majority of which will come from the Crown BC Pavilion Corporation that owns and operates BC Place.
The venue will be required to undergo several upgrades, including to the dressing rooms, broadcast facilities and premium hosting spaces.
Much of the revenue offsetting the costs comes from B.C.'s Major Events Municipal and Regional District Tax of 2.5 per cent on traveller accommodations, which came into effect in February 2023 and is expected to bring in $230 million over seven years.
Officials acknowledged there are factors beyond their control that will impact the amount of money generated through the World Cup – including which teams ultimately are scheduled to play in Vancouver, and whether FIFA makes further demands when it comes to venue requirements.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Penny Daflos
Correction
A previous version of this story reported that B.C. was expecting one billion additional visitors over five years instead of one million. CTV News regrests the typo.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6894783.1716309543!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Air turbulence: When can it become dangerous?
Flight turbulence like that encountered by a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday is extremely common, but there's one aspect of severe turbulence an aviation expert says can lead to serious injury.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
People in Gaza are 'wasting' from famine: World Food Programme director
World Food Programme executive director Cindy McCain says people living in Gaza are 'wasting' as famine concerns continue amid the war between Israel and Hamas.
WATCH Why today's inflation numbers are good if you have a mortgage
New inflation data is 'welcome news' for consumers and an economist says it could signal the possibility for a interest rate cut as several core measures also continue to ease.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
'Miscommunication' Liberals say of Speaker Fergus event invite Conservatives call partisan
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus is facing fresh Conservative-led calls to resign, this time over "very partisan" and 'inflammatory' language used – the Liberals say mistakenly – to promote an upcoming event.
'Mr. Trump doesn't worry us', says Canadian ambassador
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues the 'Team Canada' charm offensive to U.S. lawmakers and business leaders, Canada's ambassador to the United States downplayed the effect of another Trump presidency on Canada.