Toronto officials promise cost of hosting FIFA World Cup matches won’t rise again

Five group stage matches featuring the likes of Germany, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as a Round of 32 knock-out, are scheduled to take place in Toronto this summer.

Toronto’s top civil servant is promising the cost of putting on the 2026 FIFA World Cup won’t rise again, as the city prepares to host six massive soccer fixtures at the beginning of the summer.

Five group stage matches featuring the likes of Germany, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as a Round of 32 knock-out, are scheduled to take place at a renovated version of Toronto’s BMO Field in June and July.

Since Toronto first signed up to host games under former mayor John Tory, the cost has consistently risen.

The price tag after the games were confirmed in Toronto was $290 million, quickly rising to $300 million. By early 2024, after Toronto was handed a sixth fixture, the cost for the games was revised upwards again, this time to $380 million.

During the launch of Toronto’s annual budget process, City Manager Paul Johnson said the cost hadn’t gone up since then — and promised it wouldn’t rise again above the $380 million figure.

“It’s been more than a year now since it changed, so that’s what we’re at … The $380 (million) is what the mayor has asked us to keep to, and so far, so good,” he said.

“We’re remaining true to that $380 million and looking forward to a tremendous game in less than six months now.”

The total number is being split between Toronto and both the provincial and federal governments. Queen’s Park has offered to pitch a strict $97 million, while the federal government is covering $104 million. The remaining $179 will be covered by the City of Toronto.