Close X
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
ADVT 
Sports

More games means Vancouver unsure of hosting costs for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 May, 2024 10:21 AM
  • More games means Vancouver unsure of hosting costs for 2026 FIFA World Cup

The City of Vancouver says it's unable to give a complete estimate of costs associated with hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup matches because it is hosting two more games than originally anticipated.

The original cost, released by the provincial government at the end of January 2023, pegged the bill for hosting five World Cup matches as $230 million, with much of that money going towards event security.

But with the addition of hosting two more games the original estimate is out of date, the city said.

"We will be assessing the impacts of delivering seven matches against current assumptions in order to update these estimates," the city said in its statement. 

"While we’re still in the early stages of analyzing the impact of hosting seven matches, we expect to see increased revenue opportunities from commercial partners and match day sales."

Vancouver's Mayor Ken Sim says taking on the event is a "no-brainer," even with the hefty price tag, as it will benefit the province, particularly the tourism sector.

Tourism Minister Lana Popham says they will stick to the budget for the event, which is scheduled to run between June and July and include to games featuring Team Canada.

The city said it is discussing the additional games with FIFA — the international body governing soccer — to determine anticipated costs and benefits, with no set date for the information to be released.

But a sports economic expert said estimates for any large scale sporting event tend to be wrong.

"The fact that the cost estimate, regardless of how many games, is going to be different is not surprising at all," said Brian Soebbing, a professor at the University of Alberta.

"Because the majority of studies that have looked at the cost of hosting mega events, whether you're talking about Olympics, World Cup, et cetera, the costs themselves are generally underestimated."

Soebbing also raised doubts about the economic benefits host cities tend to proclaim when hosting large scale sporting events.

"Part of the idea of economic impact is you've got these visitors who are coming for the sole purpose of going to the World Cup. But Vancouver in and of itself is a very good tourist city in any year, right?

"There are going to be people who were going to go to Vancouver but are not going to go to Vancouver because of the World Cup."

Part of the issue, Soebbing said, is the fans coming for the World Cup will push out regular tourist groups or tours that would come to Vancouver and the region at the same time, meaning the economic benefit of sports fans is balanced out by the loss of other groups.

The cost estimate for hosting does not include renovating B.C. Place, with PavCo — the Crown corporation that owns the stadium — putting out a request for proposal in December for a construction manager to oversee work needed.

PavCo’s RFP for a construction manager indicates B.C. Place, which turned 40 last year, will need more VIP suites and hospitality space on the stadium’s third level, an upgrade to food-court concessions, renovation of washrooms and installation of more elevators.

Toronto and Vancouver are the Canadian cities set to host matches during the 2026 World Cup, which will also be played across the United States and Mexico.

The cost of hosting additional games is an issue affecting Toronto as well.

The City of Toronto estimates it will cost $380 million to host World Cup matches in the city, an increase of $80 million compared to a 2022 forecast partly because of the addition of another match to the schedule.

The cost increase also includes an evaluation of vendor quotes, safety and security requirements and inflationary uncertainty.

 

MORE Sports ARTICLES

Indian Cricketer Rishabh Pant Turns 'Babysitter' For Aussie Skipper Tim Paine’s Kids And Wins Social Media

Paine had joked about recruiting Pant to babysit for his kids during the third Test at Melbourne. 

Indian Cricketer Rishabh Pant Turns 'Babysitter' For Aussie Skipper Tim Paine’s Kids And Wins Social Media

A Watershed Year For Indian Women Shuttlers

A Watershed Year For Indian Women Shuttlers
Indian badminton continued to move northwards in 2018, especially the women's singles players -- P.V. Sindhu and veteran Saina Nehwal -- as they dished out one stunning performance after another.

A Watershed Year For Indian Women Shuttlers

Kavita Devi Urges Women Athletes To Give WWE Talent Try-Out In India

Kavita Devi Urges Women Athletes To Give WWE Talent Try-Out In India
The 32-year-old had etched her name in the history books when the she became the first Indian woman to take part in the Mae Young Classic in 2017.

Kavita Devi Urges Women Athletes To Give WWE Talent Try-Out In India

Seven-Year-Old Archie Named Co-Captain With Paine; The Leg-Spinner Suffers From Heart Ailment

The move was made possible by the Make-A-Wish Australia Foundation. According to cricket.com.au, the announcement was made on Sunday at the BUPA Family Day at Yarra Park.    

Seven-Year-Old Archie Named Co-Captain With Paine; The Leg-Spinner Suffers From Heart Ailment

Will Yuvraj Singh Find A Buyer At 2019 IPL Auction

Will Yuvraj Singh Find A Buyer At 2019 IPL Auction
Once a sought-after property, Yuvraj Singh faces the risk of going unsold at the 2019 IPL auction with the franchisees factoring in the availability of foreign players in a World Cup year.

Will Yuvraj Singh Find A Buyer At 2019 IPL Auction

We Are Rectifying The Mistake: WFI Hands Sushil Kumar, Sakshi Malik Grade A Contracts

We Are Rectifying The Mistake: WFI Hands Sushil Kumar, Sakshi Malik Grade A Contracts
The announcement to upgrade their contracts was made by WFI President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh

We Are Rectifying The Mistake: WFI Hands Sushil Kumar, Sakshi Malik Grade A Contracts