Vancouver 2026 World Cup cost doubles to as much as $581M, province suggests

CBC News

· Posted: Apr 30, 2024 6:00 PM EDT | Last Updated: 15 minutes ago

B.C.'s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport expects the 2026 World Cup in Vancouver to run up about a half-billion-dollar tab — more than double earlier projections.

Starting in June 2026, Vancouver will host seven World Cup matches at B.C. Place, in the heart of downtown. Vancouver is one of 16 host cities throughout North America. 

In January 2023, the province figured it would cost about $230 million, but at the time, Vancouver was expected to host just five games. The province now expects costs could be anywhere from $483 million to $581 million.

Earlier this year, the City of Toronto estimated its cost would be $380 — a massive jump from its original $45 million estimate when the city first pitched the games in 2018. 

B.C.'s provincial government said costs will be offset by a $116 million contribution from the federal government, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue as a direct result from the event. 

Destination Vancouver president and CEO Royce Chwin described the long-term economic impact of the World Cup in Vancouver as "incalculable."

"It further polishes Vancouver's reputation as a global destination," he said in a press release.

The province suggests that hosting the games in 2026 will result in a million overnight visitors to the city between 2026 and 2031, well after the tournament has ended, and $1 billion in additional visitor spending. 

The province said it will be investing in renovations and improvements to B.C. Place that will improve accessibility, which will help with other events at the stadium in years to come.