Should Taxpayers Bear the $1 Billion Cost of Hosting the World Cup?

What Will It Cost to Fund and Host the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Canada is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup three weeks from now, with a price expected to cost Canada over $1 billion. Experts say they are not surprised.

“The majority of the costs associated with putting on each of the games are essentially security,” Pedro Antunes, chief economist, says to CTV News.
“We know that security costs have ramped up significantly over the last number of decades, I would say, so it’s not that surprising.”

From the over $1 billion it will cost to fund the World Cup, $473 million of it will be federal funds. The cost per game is estimated at roughly $82 million, which is in line with past public spending on World Cup events.



Canada’s Cost Per Game Compared

While the PBO claims this year’s cost of $82 million per game is “roughly in line with what was spent per game on previous tournaments,” Canada’s costs can be seen to be significantly lower than past hosted World Cups.

In 2018, it cost Russia $109 million per game, and in 2014 it cost $125 million per game. During the 2002 World Cup, the Japanese and South Korean governments paid $112 million per game, while in 2010 South Africa paid $101 million per match.

But in 1998, France only had a cost of $22 million per game, and Germany’s was also lower in 2006, with a cost of $50 million per match.



Paying the Expenses

The majority of the cost of hosting each match is being taken on by non-federal levels of government, such as the provinces and the cities themselves.
“For the cities, there’s been some capital investments as well. Again, most of it is hosting the events and putting in place communications systems and audio-visual and all the requirements that FIFA has in their contracts with the two cities,” said Antunes, chief economist.

“But most of it will be with respect to policing the event and making sure that security is maintained.”

Antunes claims that Toronto and Vancouver are unlikely to see an immediate return on investment right after the games, but he noted that events like the World Cup can have positive impacts on the economy as a whole.

“It really is up to the taxpayers and voters to decide whether these are the right moves, but I do think that we’ve had success in the past in the sense of national pride; there’s value to that,” he said, pointing to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver as an example.



Benefits

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to contribute up to $980 million to British Columbia’s GDP and $1.7 billion in total economic benefits for the province.

FIFA World Cup 2026 is estimated to contribute $1.3 billion in positive economic output for Ontario and up to $940 million for the Greater Toronto Area.

The tournament is expected to bring in billions in economic activity, support thousands of jobs, and give Canadian cities a global spotlight that could pay off long into the future. The biggest benefit is the boost to local businesses. Visitors will spend money on hotels, restaurants, transit, shopping, and entertainment, which helps keep money circulating in the economy and increases tax revenue for governments.



Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport Gives Her Statement

Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, has issued the following statement regarding the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Vancouver:

“This is the largest single-sport event on the planet. Billions of people watching; hundreds of thousands of visitors to our province. Seven matches will be played at BC Place. More than 350,000 fans are expected to pass through the doors at BC Place. But this moment is about far more than what happens on the pitch. It is about what happens because of it.”

“When billions of viewers tune in and thousands visit, they will not only see world-class soccer. They will see a world-class destination with our mountains and coastlines, our vibrant cities and welcoming communities, our innovation and clean economy, and our cultural diversity and creativity.”

“From Vancouver Island to the Kootenays, from the North to the Fraser Valley, hosting the World Cup is a shared provincial celebration. We are making a strategic investment to ensure the social and economic benefits are felt in every region.”



Overall



Canada is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup three weeks from now, with a price expected to cost Canada over $1 billion.


The majority of the cost of hosting each match is being taken on by non-federal levels of government, such as the provinces and the cities themselves.

FIFA World Cup 2026 is estimated to contribute $1.3 billion in positive economic output for Ontario and up to $940 million for the Greater Toronto Area.




Disclaimer:
The following scenarios reflect forward-looking analysis and market opinions based on currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Thesis Journal is not responsible for any decisions made based on this analysis.



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