City's FIFA World Cup hosting cost estimated at $320M–$338M
Vancouver will spend between $320 million and $338 million to host seven World Cup games, but detailed budget breakdown won't be public until after the tournament.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
The City of Vancouver's portion of the cost to host seven FIFA World Cup 2026 games and related events is estimated between $320 million and $338 million, but a detailed line-by-line breakdown will not be available until after the tournament.
A spokesperson for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Vancouver Host Committee said final costs will be "shared post tournament when all cost and revenue accounts have been reconciled." The city and province expect to provide a full update on actual costs, revenues and economic benefits in spring 2027.
The approach differs from Toronto, which is hosting six World Cup games and has released a publicly accessible document showing estimated gross expenditures at $380 million. Toronto's breakdown lists $226.3 million in planning and operating costs and $153.6 million in capital costs, itemized by department: City Manager Services ($139.2 million), Toronto Police Service ($65.5 million), Toronto Emergency Management ($4.9 million), Toronto Paramedic Services ($8.9 million), Toronto Fire Services ($3.6 million), Toronto Transit Commission ($2.5 million), Parks and Recreation ($1.1 million), and Social Development ($340,000).
The B.C. government released budget details May 29 estimating the overall gross cost for the province and City of Vancouver at $685 million to $729 million, which includes both the city's cost estimates. Host city and provincial safety and security costs are estimated at $242 million, included in the overall total, though how much applies solely to Vancouver has not been disclosed.
Once projected revenues, recoveries and contributions are calculated, the "net core and essential" hosting costs are estimated at a high of $114 million. How much of that $114 million will be borne by the city has not been released, though the city has already committed $5 million.
Funding sources offsetting costs include the municipal and regional district tax (MRDT), also known as the hotel tax, paid by visitors staying in short-term accommodations in Vancouver. The B.C. government introduced the 2.5 per cent tax in 2023 to help support hosting costs. Between Feb. 1, 2023 and March 31, 2026, the MRDT generated $105.7 million.
With the tournament kicking off Saturday, the financial stakes are clear — and the public accounting will come much later.