Officials Say Cost Of World Cup Games In Vancouver Doubled

The costs associated with seven matches to be played in Vancouver during the FIFA World Cup 26 tournament are on the rise.

In 2022, when Vancouver was named one of 16 host cities in North America, the B.C. government said the estimated costs for planning, staging and hosting five 2026 World Cup matches would be $240 million to $260 million.

The updated estimate released Tuesday is between $483 million and $581 million to host seven matches.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, Lana Popham says events like the World Cup have the power to inspire people to get involved in sport, amplify community spirit and “put a spotlight on our incredible province.”

After taking into account estimated revenues and recoveries, the Province estimates the net core cost of seven matches to be $100 million to $145 million.

That doesn’t include potential additional provincial tax revenues, projected to be $224 million.

The Province says the economic benefits of hosting are estimated to include more than one million out-of-province visitors between 2026 and 2031, generating more than $1 billion in additional visitor spending and potentially up to $224 million in direct, indirect, and other related provincial tax revenues.

More than 3.5 billion people watch the FIFA World Cup every four years.