Province estimates Vancouver 2026 World Cup expenses to reach $581 million

The 2026 World Cup in Vancouver is expected to come with a hefty price tag, with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport projecting costs to be more than double the initial estimates. Vancouver will host seven matches at B.C. Place, with the total cost now expected to range from $483 million to $581 million.

This significant increase in costs has raised concerns, with Opposition B.C. United House Leader Todd Stone calling for transparency in understanding the reasons behind the escalation. The federal government has pledged $116 million towards the event, but it remains unclear how the remaining costs will be divided between the province and the City of Vancouver.

Despite the high costs, Destination Vancouver president and CEO Royce Chwin believes the long-term economic impact of hosting the World Cup in Vancouver will be “incalculable,” further enhancing the city’s global reputation as a destination. The province anticipates a million overnight visitors and $1 billion in additional visitor spending between 2026 and 2031 as a result of hosting the tournament.

While some renovations and improvements will be made to B.C. Place for the event, Vancouver is well-equipped with existing infrastructure, including a 54,000-seat stadium and a transit system. The distribution of costs between stakeholders is still being finalized, but all parties involved are committed to ensuring transparency in the process.