Canada will spend $1B to host 13 FIFA World Cup games
· Toronto Sun
It is a case of unlucky 13 for taxpayers, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO).
The federal budget watchdog estimates that Canada will spend $1.066 billion to host 13 games in both Vancouver and Toronto.
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The World Cup kicks off on June 11 in Mexico City. Canada will host Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 at BMO Field.
Toronto will host six games, and Vancouver will get seven games.
$82M per game
The federal government will kick in $473.2 million, with the remainder of the money coming from other levels of government.
“Based on the most recent estimates of costs across all levels of government, Canada is expected to spend $82 million per game,” the PBO report said. “Using this frame, it appears Canada’s costs are roughly in line with what was spent per game on previous tournaments.”
As a comparative analysis, Russia spent US $79.6 million per game to host in 2018 and Brazil spent US $ 90.9 million per game in 2014. The total Canadian budget per game in US funds is 59.6 million.
According to the PBO report, the feds will spend approximately $79 million on security costs, $3.4 million on security screening at airports, $4.3 million for border security and $3.6 million in preparation for the World Cup.
Toronto to spend $380M on games
Closer to home, the report also states the City of Toronto has allocated $380 million for its six games.
According to the city’s budget details, operating costs will total $236.4 million, with capital costs coming in at $143.6 million.
Included in the operating costs are monies allocated to the Toronto Police Services, Toronto Emergency Management, Toronto Paramedic Service and Toronto Fire Services.
The City of Vancouver says it will spend $578 million on its seven games.