Cost estimates for Toronto to host 5 World Cup matches rise: city staff – Toronto | Globalnews.ca

Weeks after Toronto was confirmed as the host city for the 2026 World Cup, city staff increased their estimate of how much it will cost to host the tournament.

In a staff report to be considered by Toronto’s executive committee on Tuesday, the forecast for capital and operating costs to host five World Cup games has increased from $290 million to $300 million.

The city said staff hope to see the federal and provincial governments share the cost of lodging, though no commitments have yet been made.

The 3.4 percent increase from the last estimate in April is the result of “the recent escalation in inflation rates,” according to the report.

Toronto, along with Vancouver, was selected as the Canadian host city for the 2026 World Cup at an event on June 16.

The two cities, along with 14 other cities in the United States and Mexico, will host matches in the 48-team soccer tournament.

A total of 80 games will be held with 10 matches in Canada.

The qualification process for the 2026 World Cup is yet to be decided, but Canada could automatically qualify as the host nation.

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Qatar has automatically qualified to compete in the 2022 World Cup.

Lodging benefits would also be significant, according to an April staff report.

The staff estimated that hosting five games would generate a GDP of $307 million and create 3,300 jobs.

The events would attract around 174,000 overnight visitors and book 292,000 rooms per night. This would generate approximately $3.5 million in municipal lodging tax revenue, staff said.

The staffing report to be considered Tuesday sets out a plan to hire nine temporary staff positions beginning in August to oversee “program planning and execution.”

Agreements Toronto has signed as part of the bidding process commit it to providing BMO Field as a venue and hosting a 34-day FIFA FanFest.

BMO Field will require about $25 million worth of improvements, while Sunnybrook Park and Centennial Park, which could be used for training, will need $15 million in improvements, according to the report.

The World Cup will also require Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts, both based at BMO Field, to relocate for “at least six weeks,” according to staff.