The City of Vancouver’s portion of the cost to host the seven FIFA World Cup 2026 games and related events is estimated between $320 million and $338 million, but a line-by-line list that breaks down where the money is being spent will not be available until after the tournament.

A spokesperson for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Vancouver Host Committee said in an email that final costs will be “shared post tournament when all cost and revenue accounts have been reconciled.”

“The City and Province, along with its partners, is committed to transparency and is expecting to provide an update on actual costs, revenues and economic benefits in spring 2027,” the spokesperson said.

The approach to share budget information after the tournament is in contrast to the City of Toronto, which is hosting six World Cup games, including Team Canada’s opener June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Toronto has released a publicly accessible document that shows estimated gross expenditures at $380 million. A total of $226.3 million is in planning and operating costs and $153.6 million in capital costs, according to the document, which lists funding sources to cover the $380 million.

The document is 20 pages in length and includes tables with details about budgets dating back to 2021 when Toronto began to plan for the tournament. The document includes the following costs:

• 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)
• Social Development ($340,000)

$242 million security cost

The B.C. government released budget details May 29 that estimated the overall gross cost for the province and City of Vancouver at $685 million to $729 million. Those sums include the two estimates for the city’s costs at $320 million to $338 million.

In total, host city and provincial safety and security costs are estimated at $242 million, which is included in the overall total gross costs. How much of that $242 million is connected solely to the City of Vancouver’s $338 million estimate has not been disclosed.

The Vancouver Police Department, which is funded by city taxpayers, has jurisdiction over law enforcement during the tournament.

Reporters heard from Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport and Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, that once projected revenues, recoveries and contributions are calculated, the “net core and essential” hosting costs are estimated to be at a high of $114 million.

How much of that $114 million will be borne by the city is not information officials have released, although the city has already committed $5 million. Asked for more details on the city’s cost, Kang referred reporters to the City of Vancouver, which did not participate in the May 29 news conference.

Hotel tax

The city spokesperson said funding sources that will offset costs of delivering the World Cup include the municipal and regional district tax (MRDT), also known as the hotel tax, which is paid for 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 the city’s costs of planning, staging and hosting the tournament this summer.

The government said $105.7 million has been generated via the MRDT between Feb. 1, 2023 and March 31, 2026. Total estimated revenue from the tax between 2023 and 2030 is projected between $250 million and $260 million.

Other funding sources for the city’s portion of the tab will come from sponsorship and FIFA Fan Festival revenues—through premium ticket, food and beverage sales generated throughout the festival—facility rental fees paid by FIFA and federal contributions.

The $242 million in public safety and security costs are expected to be offset by a $100 million grant for Public Safety Canada, according to government officials and the city spokesperson.

Net costs for the FIFA Fan Festival are projected at $26 million. Organizers are expecting up to 25,000 visitors per day. Access to the festival is free, but tickets have to be purchased to attend events at the new 10,000-seat amphitheatre.

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