Costs of hosting World Cup matches in Toronto rises to $380M

The cost of hosting six World Cup matches in Toronto has increased to $380 million from the original $300-million estimate, according to a new report.

Toronto is set to co-host the 2026 World Cup at BMO Field, along with the United States and Mexico, which will also see games in Vancouver. 

In a report to the Mayor’s Executive Committee this week, officials say with the recent announcement of the match schedule and “as planning requirements become more defined, current projections estimate operating and capital costs incurred locally” will be around $380 million.

The Ontario government has conditionally committed to giving Toronto up to $97 million for the city’s FIFA World Cup hosting duties as long as the federal government matches its contribution.

The city said the Canadian government has committed to supporting them, but specific financial commitments have not been confirmed.

The total net economic activity generated for the city is expected to add $392 million to the GDP for the city, $456 million to the provincial GDP, and tax revenues totaling $118.9 million for Toronto and $138.9 million within Ontario.

Mayor Olivia Chow said it was important to be transparent about the increased cost and said she wants to make sure the games are hosted in the most responsible way possible.

“We want to engage as many Torontonians as possible, and share not only the excitement, but they’d like to see we want to help the small businesses to get the benefits,” said Chow. “Because of hosting the bid, we’ve created 3,500 jobs, it would have $400 million of economic return. So it’s certainly good for the country and good for the businesses and excellent for soccer fans. And those young people that wants to learn to play soccer and that love of the game.”

City Councillor Josh Matlow said he believes the deal that was originally negotiated by the previous municipal government and former Mayor John Tory isn’t good enough for Toronto taxpayers.

“It’s amazing how little revenue we’re getting as opposed to other levels of government that didn’t contribute what we’re putting up,” said Matlow.

“Ultimately I just think that it’s absurd how difficult it was for even the new mayor to even be able to read the very contract that we need to improve on so I just can’t believe that not only did John Tory drop the ball so bad but he actually scored on our own goal.”

He said they hope they are able to renegotiate some of the terms of the contract.

“Far more revenue should be coming to Toronto given that we are our primary sponsor, our city is putting all the skin in the game. Yet, we’re the ones who are going to end up paying for it and other levels of government which have far more revenue coming in, are the ones who are going to gain and profit from this.”

Councillor Alejandro Bravo said the biggest question coming out of this report is how to create economic opportunities for people out of this kind of investment.

“The big benefits, like people coming here and spending money, they don’t necessarily come back to city government or to the people that are delivering those services,” she added. “So we don’t have a share of sales tax or income tax and that’s a challenge. The provincial government is investing $97 million by comparison so we really need to make sure that our massive spend on this which was determined in a previous administration actually has a way to deliver those benefits.”

There are 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup with two in Canada, three in Mexico and the rest in the U.S. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will host the most with nine.

The 2026 tournament was initially planned for 80 games, with the U.S. expected to host 60 and Canada and Mexico, getting 10 apiece. The group phase was subsequently enlarged, adding an additional 24 games.

Canada will open their tournament at BMO Field on June 12.

The tournament quarterfinals are set for Boston, Kansas City, Los Angeles and Miami with the semifinals in Atlanta and Dallas. 

The championship game is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., with the bronze-medal match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.