BC lifts Vancouver World Cup cost estimate to $729M

The British Columbia government has announced that the projected cost of hosting seven FIFA World Cup matches in Vancouver has increased significantly, with new estimates ranging from 685 million to 729 million. The figures, released in a technical briefing on Friday, represent a sharp rise from the 532 million to 624 million range provided in June 2025.

Provincial officials attributed the increase to several factors that were unknown a year ago, including final FIFA requirements, which countries would be playing in Vancouver, and detailed planning for security and the FIFA Fan Festival. The primary cost drivers have been stadium upgrades at BC Place and security expenses.

Despite the rising gross costs, the province emphasized that projected revenues and recoveries have also increased. The new revenue estimate is between 595 million and 615 million, up from last year's range of 448 million to 478 million. These offsets include federal funding for safety and security, contributions from Sport Canada, revenues from the Fan Festival, and proceeds from the Municipal Regional District Tax program driven by visitor spending.

As a result, the government stated the estimated net cost to...