Hosting FIFA World Cup will cost taxpayers $1B: watchdog report

Hosting the 2026 World Cup will cost governments across Canada more than a billion dollars, putting the cost per game at $82 million, according to a new report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO). 

The estimated $1.066 billion price tag to host games in Vancouver and Toronto will see the federal government cover $473 million with the rest covered by other levels of government. 

In all, Canada is hosting 13 of the 104 games being played across Canada, Mexico and the United States from June 11 to July 19 with seven to be played in Vancouver and six in Toronto. 

The bulk of the federal support is focused on infrastructure and security. 

Federal transfers to other levels of government for operations and infrastructure total $220 million, while $145 million is being transferred to other levels of government for security operations with another $79 million going to the RCMP.

The PBO referenced a recent report from the City of Toronto indicating that, including federal financial support, it will cost taxpayers a total of $380 million to host its six games, while the seven in Vancouver will cost about $578 million, the PBO said. 

The report also said that should costs in Vancouver and Toronto rise "any city-level hosting costs exceeding the grants provided by the federal government are expected to be paid for by other levels of government."