Hosting the World Cup will cost taxpayers $1B: watchdog report
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/world-cup-cost-funding-report-pbo-9.7205647
Hosting the World Cup will cost taxpayers $1B: watchdog report
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/world-cup-cost-funding-report-pbo-9.7205647
9 Comments
Wtf? That’s disappointing that as Canadians we have no input over big decisions like this. Who cares about a bunch of men chasing a ball to win a fallic shaped trophy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f27IqVo5-Oc
unlike Expo and the Olympics, this event (especially considering none of the big games are being played here) will see little to no revenue for the host cities. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a drop in tourism dollars since people will be avoiding visiting thinking hotels will be full and price gouging.
Another day, another instance of privatizing the profits and socializing the costs. Will we ever force a change to the system?
The Quebec government ended up sharing a copy of the contract FIFA wanted their cities to sign after they declined hosting and the asks are straight up insane.
-Complete black out and cancelation of any sporting or cultural events during the WC, same black out applies a week before and after the WC. This would have meant the cancelation of the F1 Grand Prix, all the major summer festivals in Montreal and a requirement for every major sport team in town to stop activities.
-Complete immunity from any type of federal, provincial and municipal taxation on FIFA revenue during the event, from concession stands to ticket sales.
-Requirement to build 3 to 5 new elevator shafts at the Stade Olympique to accommodate VIPs.
-Every single expenses in regards to security has to be paid by the host and not FIFA
These are just the ones I remember from the top of my head…. FIFA is a parasite lol
FIFA bought up huge swaths of hotel space in Vancouver ahead of the games. Then struggled to sell tickets. [Now they’ve released those hotel rooms](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/fifa-hotel-room-release-world-cup-2026-9.7146146).
The impact is that *other events* that would have occurred have been postponed or relocated because the hotel space wasn’t available.
Proponents are claiming [we might never know the economic impact](https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article/blind-side-why-world-cup-economic-impact-on-vancouver-and-toronto-may-never-be-known/); but I am *certain* they’d be shouting it from the rooftops if the economic impact was even moderately predictably positive. What hard numbers we can see already are dire: hotel bookings are [down 20% for the year](https://vancouversun.com/news/world-cup-vancouver-hotel-bookings-down-20-per-cent), and [even for June](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzYoittvsbc)!
Yeah, but think of all the corporations that are gonna make money off of us. How Can someone not think about the corporations?
One Billion is an obscene number but if the government revenues exceed that amount then it is worth it.
Not saying those revenues exist. What do I know.
One of the arguments for the hideous cost of the Olympics is increased tourism both for the games and afterwards as well as other benefits of being showcased for the world.
But the costs of the Olympics are staggering so fee cities seem the benefit of it.
At least the World Cup does not require the infrastructure costs that the Olympics does.
So, not saying that $1B is worth it. Lots of reasons it is not likely for Canada. But it is also not impossible that it is.
I’d be interested in any actual analysis of the issue. It must exist.
Quick math, since this article is only about the expense side:
– $1.1B cost across governments
– $700M revenue to governments (Deloitte Canada estimate)
– Net cost of $400M, or $10pp
– Debatable unaccounted benefits to the spend includes any long term infrastructure benefits, net economic benefits from tourism, temporary employment boosts, international exposure
Something to consider aside from the potential return is the opportunity costs of other expenditures that could have generated greater, faster, and/or more recurring returns.