Yesterday, Toronto City Council authorized the next steps to advance Toronto’s efforts in hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026.
With Council’s approval, the City of Toronto will now move to execute a Multi-Party Agreement with the Governments of Ontario and Canada and with Canada Soccer to define the partnership and funding between governments for the World Cup. City staff will initiate the necessary inter-governmental and partner agreements for Toronto as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Council also approved the establishment of a City secretariat to coordinate the City of Toronto’s hosting activities and related financial support.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to create 3,300 jobs, book 292,000 visitor room nights, generating projected Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) revenues of $3.5 million and generating $307 million in GDP for Toronto. The City is also working to ensure significant positive economic impacts for Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving communities, including removing barriers to sport participation for youth. Toronto’s hosting of the World Cup will also leave a legacy of improved sport and recreational facilities in the city.
With 48 nations participating, 10 of which may potentially play in Toronto, Toronto’s pride in its diversity and multiculturalism will be showcased to a global audience estimated at one billion viewers. Toronto hosting World Cup matches in 2026 will touch all neighbourhoods, building a sense of anticipation and camaraderie for the next four years and beyond. The World Cup in Toronto is also expected to drive growth in local participation in soccer through role models, better playing facilities, and improved coaching and organizing capacities.
As with any major event, the City is working with partners to balance costs and benefits to ensure that any public investment in hosting the World Cup in Toronto yields significant legacies for Torontonians. The total cost for the five matches is anticipated to be approximately $300 million, in 2026 dollars, including inflation and a 10 per cent contingency. In keeping with the Federal Policy for Hosting International Sport Events in Canada, the Governments of Canada and Ontario are expected to cover up to two-thirds of this amount, approximately $184 million. The cost of hosting the World Cup will be also partially offset through access to commercial rights and related revenue opportunities delegated by FIFA to event organizers, such as the City.
The cost for the City, prior to any further offsets including earned revenue sources from fees, commercial sponsorship and local partnerships, is projected to be up to $77.1 million in investment plus $24 million in City services offered in-kind, primarily in 2025 and 2026.
On June 16, Toronto was announced as a Host City for the FIFA World Cup 2026 along with 15 other cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Toronto will host multiple matches at BMO Field and a major fan festival across the city for the duration of the 32-day tournament. FIFA will determine at a later date which tournament matches will be played in Toronto.
Additional information related to the City’s Executive Committee’s recommendations is available on the City’s website.
Quotes:
“We will be ready to welcome the world to Toronto for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Like many Toronto residents, I’m excited to showcase our beautiful city, including our unique our diversity and multiculturalism to a global audience. Now our staff can begin the important work engaging with our partners to prepare for this global event and secure sponsorships and partnerships to help support this event.”
– Mayor John Tory
“The FIFA World Cup will increase Toronto’s profile on the world stage and generate significant economic, cultural and community benefits for our city and for Canada. We anticipate that the economic impact from the event will help sustain Toronto’s long-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and help reinforce our long term prosperity.”
– Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.