FIFA estimates Canada could see $3.8 billion in benefits from Canada's participation in the 2026 World Cup
The estimate puts the cost of the 13 games in Vancouver and Toronto at $1.9 billion.
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BC Place in Vancouver, which will host the 2026 World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will contribute up to $3.8 billion in "positive economic impact" for Canada as the host nation, according to a FIFA economic impact assessment.
This amount is divided between Canada's gross domestic product, labour income and government revenue, with GDP ($2 billion) and labour income ($1.3 billion) taking the largest share. The estimate also projects the "creation and preservation" of 24,100 jobs nationwide during the period from June 2023 to August 2026.
According to the assessment, economic impacts are measured and reported in terms of economic output, GDP, labor income, employment, and government revenue. Advertisement
The ratings were calculated using data provided by FIFA World Cup 26 and the Canadian Host City Committee. They were supplemented by forecasted data or provided by economists at Deloitte Canada.
"You can think of economic output as sales," said Jeff Harris, founder and head of Deloitte Canada's sports business consulting practice. "It's the total value of goods and services produced and purchased during the period."
Think of the GDP number as income, Harris added.
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BMO Field in Toronto will be one of two Canadian venues to host World Cup matches in 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)
The estimate shows that for every Canadian dollar spent in preparation for the tournament or by visitors attending the competition, the event is estimated to contribute $1.09 to GDP. That translates to an average of $155 million in GDP — and the creation or maintenance of 1,850 jobs nationally — for each of the 13 matches held in Canada.
The World Cup, expanded to 48 teams and 104 matches, is being hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico. Vancouver and Toronto are the host cities in Canada, with 11 others in the United States and three in Mexico.
The estimate estimates that tourism spending — in the form of capital, operating and visitor spending — will reach $1.9 billion from June 2023 to August 2026. The economic assessment shows that preparing for and hosting the tournament could contribute up to $1.7 billion in positive economic impact to British Columbia, which is hosting seven matches. This includes increased GDP ($980 million), employment income ($610 million) and government revenue ($120 million), as well as "creating and retaining" more than 13,700 jobs in the province over the period analyzed.
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In Ontario, where Toronto is hosting six matches, the estimate is for a positive economic impact of $1.3 billion - GDP ($700 million), labor income ($460 million) and government revenue ($100 million). The employment figure is more than 8,700. The estimate cites potential positive economic impacts of $940 million for the Greater Toronto Area and $1.3 billion for Metro Vancouver.
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"Off the field, it's much more than a sporting event," FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani, a Vancouver native and former president of Canada Soccer, said in a statement. "It's the biggest sporting and entertainment event in history and a unique opportunity to showcase our nation on the world stage."
On the other side of the ledger, the cost of organizing the tournament has increased.
In April, Vancouver organizers estimated the cost of staging their portion of the event at $483 million to $581 million, including costs for city, provincial and stadium improvements. But the British Columbia government said the event is expected to generate enough revenue to result in a net cost of $100 million to $145 million. In February, the City of Toronto estimated that local operating and capital costs in Toronto would be about $380 million. The federal government has committed $104.34 million to the city, while Ontario has agreed to contribute up to $97 million.
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