Canada’s qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar raised the spirits of several of its cities to run as hosts of some of the 10 matches that correspond to that country for the 2026 World Cup, which will be organized together with the United States and Mexico.
In the second week of April, FIFA reported on its host city selection process, which is due to end at the end of the second quarter of 2022. For now, it has approved Vancouver’s bid.
“Following the submission of paperwork by the Province of British Columbia/City of Vancouver to join the Host City Bid process (with BC Place as the proposed stadium), as well as a recent inspection visit by a FIFA delegation , world soccer’s governing body has agreed to accept the city’s bid,” read a statement issued by FIFA.
But the desire to be a host city was not always strong, as Vancouver was reinstated in the process, which initially submitted a bid application in 2017 before withdrawing over concerns about FIFA requirements, tax exemptions and the high cost of hosting. The 54,500-capacity BC Place Stadium, home to the MLS-playing Vancouver Whitecaps, will be the centerpiece of the bid. Canada was originally envisioned to have three host cities by 2026, however, Montreal withdrew nine months, leaving Edmonton and Toronto as candidate host cities.
In addition, Vancouver begins to grow in its investment for having more soccer, as it was also chosen as the expansion venue for the Canadian Premier League (CPL). Langley Township will become the CPL’s ninth franchise, with the team beginning play in the spring of 2023. The team is owned by investment fund SixFive Sports & Entertainment LP.
While negotiations have been taking place since the second half of 2021, the “Candidate Host City” classification brings Vancouver into the formal process of being seriously considered as one of the 16 host cities for the World Cup in 2026. Vancouver now joins Edmonton and Toronto as possible Canadian hosts.
“I am encouraged that FIFA has confirmed Vancouver, British Columbia, as a candidate host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The FIFA World Cup is the largest individual sporting event in the world,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of BC tourism. Art, Culture and Sport in response to FIFA’s announcement.
Mark says that Destination BC and BC Stats estimate that Vancouver’s host city role in 2026, if selected, would generate more than $1 billion in new revenue for BC’s tourism sector during and in the five years following the World Cup. . He also notes that BC Premier John Horgan has given him a mandate to support tourism and sport through recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.
“More than 3.5 billion people watch the World Cup every four years. Becoming a host city and putting the world spotlight on BC would, once again, inspire travelers from around the world to come, stay and play. We have a world-class stadium, excellent training facilities and established infrastructure that meets FIFA requirements for hosting, all of which make Vancouver particularly well-equipped to host the event,” he added.
Regarding the costs for being the host city, Toronto calculated in a report, an estimated budget of 73.8 million dollars, plus another 20 million in support resources. On the other hand, the economic benefit would exceed the investment with approximately 307 million dollars. By hosting World Cup matches, Toronto forecasts that it could create 3,300 new jobs and host around 174,000 visitors, which would represent another 3.5 million in tax revenue.
Regarding the post-pandemic economic recovery, the report also states: “the event will sustain the recovery in the most affected sectors, such as tourism, hospitality and entertainment.”