Politicians and stakeholders gather during an announcement at Toronto's BMO Field on May 3, which revealed $104 million in federal funding for Toronto to host six games during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Chris Young/The Canadian Press
The federal government is kicking in a bit more than $100-million for Toronto’s 2026 World Cup matches, reducing the city’s portion of the burgeoning tab.
The province had previously promised to give the city $97-million. But over the years the overall bill has ballooned to $380-million, meaning Toronto will have to pay almost half the total as it faces serious financial constraints.
“The games are a unique opportunity to sell Toronto to the world,” Mayor Olivia Chow said Friday, adding that the city would seek further financial assistance, perhaps through fundraising.
“I’ll do my best to contain the cost, maybe it’ll be less,” she said later. Asked how realistic that was, she responded that she’s “the kind of person who says ‘don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done.’”
If the price continues to rise significantly, it is unclear how any additional costs would be covered. The federal and provincial ministers of sport did not rule out more money Friday but both said they believe the games can be held within the current budget.
A statement from the lobby group Canadian Taxpayers Federation argued that no more money should be forthcoming. “The federal government shouldn’t be pouring more taxpayers’ money into this boondoggle,” said the group’s Ontario director, Jay Goldberg.
Toronto was awarded five World Cup games, with a sixth added later. Vancouver, the only other Canadian city to keep itself in contention to participate, will play host to seven games.
In both cities the games have come under increased scrutiny as their price has gone up, and as some of FIFA’s demands became public. Among other requests, FIFA wanted Toronto to hold no other major events during the tournament, a prohibition that did not make the final agreement.
When Toronto first pitched a bid in 2018, a staff report pegged the cost at between $30-million and $45-million.
Six years later, the tab has risen to $380-million even as the city faces a much worse financial situation, struggling with lingering revenue losses related to the pandemic. Toronto council recently passed a 9.5-per-cent property-tax increase, one of the biggest in the country. A 1-percentage-point increase in property taxes in the city typically raises about $40-million.
Ms. Chow, who was elected since the city was awarded the games, has said she would not have signed the deal but is now bound by it. She has walked a fine line as she tries to criticize the agreement while hyping the tournament.
Carla Qualtrough, Canada’s Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, said Friday Ottawa would provide $104.34-million to Toronto. Earlier in the week, the federal government announced about $116.66-million for Vancouver’s World Cup games, making a total federal contribution of $220-million.
Vancouver revealed this week that the cost had doubled and could hit $581-million.
All three levels of government gathered Friday morning for the funding announcement and to pose for photos at Toronto’s BMO Field, which will play host to the country’s first World Cup match.
“By welcoming people from around the world to one of Canada’s most vibrant and culturally diverse cities, Toronto will set an impressive stage to Canada as host of this international tournament,” Ms. Qualtrough said.
The venue will be renamed Toronto Stadium for the duration of the event, another FIFA demand.
Previously from The Globe:
Oliver Moore