B.C.'s World Cup costs could reach $729 million as expenses continue to rise

Preparations are underway B.C. Place to host seven World Cup games. Photo by Nick Procaylo /PNG

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The B.C. government and the City of Vancouver have unveiled updated projections for how much it will cost them to host seven World Cup matches over the next month, with expenses potentially reaching almost three-quarters of a billion dollars.

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“We are working very closely with all of our partners to provide an estimated updated cost, and so we want to be able to provide an accurate account of what is being spent, and the contributions, and the revenue that is coming in. So, we will work as quickly as we can,” said Tourism Minister Anne Kang on Wednesday, refusing to release further details before the official announcement.

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A technical briefing provided to reporters on Friday morning by provincial officials showed that costs could range anywhere from $685 million to $729 million. That is a marked increase on the cost projections of between $532 million and $624 million released in June 2025.

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When former Premier John Horgan initially signed up B.C. to be a host city for five matches in 2022, the cost was slated to be between $240 million and $260 million.

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Although costs have gone up, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport said that potential revenue has also risen, with estimates increasing from between $448 and $478 million to between $595 and $615 million.

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This means that the net cost the government is anticipating for hosting has fallen from $145 million to $114 million.

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The City of Vancouver is expected to shoulder the lions share of the costs, with expenses for the host city ranging between $320 million and $338 million.

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PavCo, the provincial Crown corporation that operates B.C. Place, is expected to spend between $178 and $185 million, while other provincial costs are projected at between $120 and $132 million.

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Total security costs spread between the province and the City of Vancouver is expected to cap out at $242 million, although some of that will be covered by $100 million provided by Ottawa to help with safety during the tournament.

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The province is hoping this will all be worth it through long-term economic benefits, with $1 billion in additional GDP anticipated between 2026 and 2031 as a result of hosting the tournament.

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B.C. Conservative interim leader Trevor Halford said it is ridiculous that the government waited until the day after spring session ended to release the cost estimates, despite Finance Minister Brenda Bailey admitting they had finished the calculations earlier.

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“The premier knows what the number is. This is a major red flag that they know what that number is, but they are not going to disclose it,” said Halford on Wednesday before the release of the figures on Friday.

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“I think it is a concern for all British Columbians, because they’re the ones that are paying the bill for these games.”

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More to come…

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