Officials at the B.C. Tourism Ministry and FIFA World Cup 2026 Vancouver Host committee said that an “update on costs, including public safety and security, revenues and economic benefits would be provided ‘in the coming weeks,’” according to Lazenby & Fumano of the Vancouver PROVINCE. A committee spokesperson said they were “working toward sharing the next financial update ahead of the start of the tournament.” B.C. Dir/Canadian Taxpayers Federation Carson Binda added that there is “no reason to keep the public in the dark until the tournament is nearly underway or has already started.” Last June, the B.C. government estimated that the province would “spend between” CA$532M (US$388M) and CA$624M (US$455M). That is a 10% jump from the 2024 estimate of between CA$483M (US$352M) and CA$581M (US$424M), and “more than double the early estimate in 2022” (Vancouver PROVINCE, 5/12).
IN THE KNOW: In Vancouver, J.J. Adams noted a month out from the World Cup, and there is “still no sign of the final cost taxpayers will fork out” for hosting Vancouver’s portion of the tournament. During a press conference, Premier David Eby said that he “understands the public’s desire for transparency on the final dollar figure.” A source with PavCo, the Crown corporation that runs B.C. Place, said that the renovations to the stadium are “well within” the CA$190M (US$139M) budget, and the final number “would be released alongside the government’s overall total later this month.” Eby said that the tournament will “provide an opportunity to court investors from around the world in line with their Look West economic strategy,” pointing to the Canada-Qatar game at B.C. Place on June 18 as an example. Eby said Qatar is a “country that the Prime Minister has prioritized reaching out to in terms of investment opportunities in British Columbia” (Vancouver PROVINCE, 5/12).
SELLING PROCESS: FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Secretariat Exec Dir Sharon Bollenbach said that the city has not “sold any sponsorship packages in weeks as it scrambles to close” a CA$5M (US$3.7M) budget gap that materialized after FIFA requested “costly additions to its official fan festival.” She added that only four host city supporter sponsorship packages have been sold so far, though hospitality package sales are “also proceeding.” In Toronto, Houpt & Woo noted that Bollenbach would not disclose how much commercial revenue the city has booked for the tournament. She said, “We’re still in negotiations with some folks, so we’re not releasing those numbers” (GLOBE & MAIL, 5/12).
PLAY FOR CHIPS: In Toronto, Jane Stevenson reported Lay’s is “introducing four limited-edition flavours in Canada” in time for the World Cup. Representing Canada is Lay’s “bacon poutine flavoured potato chips” featuring two Canadian team players on the bag’s cover in D Richie Laryea and MF Nathan Saliba. Elsewhere, inspired by France is Lay’s “cheese soufflé flavoured potato chips” which “delivers a creamy and sharp toasted cheese experience.” Inspired by Argentina is Lay’s “steak & chimichurri flavoured potato chips.” Then there is Lay’s “cheese & onion flavoured potato chips,” the U.K.’s No. 1 flavor (TORONTO SUN, 5/12).
