Canada will spend C$1 billion to host World Cup, watchdog says

Seats at Toronto Stadium (temporarily renamed from BMO Field for the 2026 FIFA World Cup) are prepared for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in Toronto, Canada, on May 19, 2026. (AFP)
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Updated 20 May 2026
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Canada will spend C$1 billion to host World Cup, watchdog says

  • The estimated cost per game is C$82 million, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said
  • Thirteen matches will be played in Toronto and Vancouver during the June 11-July 19 tournament

TORONTO: Canada is ‌expected to spend just over C$1 billion ($727 million) to host the World Cup this summer, according to a report from the federal budget watchdog published on Wednesday.
The estimated cost per game is C$82 million, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said, noting that ‌amount is ‌aligned with past ‌public ⁠spending on World ⁠Cup events.
Thirteen matches will be played in Toronto and Vancouver during the June 11-July 19 tournament, which Canada is co-hosting with the US and Mexico.
Of ⁠the C$1.066 billion price ‌tag, the ‌federal government will cover C$473 million and ‌other levels of government will ‌provide the remaining C$593 million.
As of April, the City of Toronto intended to spend C$380 million, which ‌includes federal grants, to host six games. British Columbia ⁠had ⁠planned to spend C$578 million to host seven matches in Vancouver. The federal government said in April it would allocate up to C$145 million for security during the tournament.
Canada start their World Cup campaign against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.