B.C. government delays release of World Cup hosting costs until month’s end

FIFA vice president and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, left, and B.C. Premier David Eby talk during the launch of the FIFA World Cup trophy tour, in Vancouver, on Friday, April 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER — B.C. Premier David Eby says hosting seven FIFA World Cup games in Vancouver will have a remarkable economic impact on the province, although his government won’t release the cost of staging the matches until at least the end of the month.

Eby was at B.C. Place today to unveil renovations made to the 55,000-seat stadium ahead of the tournament, which cost an estimated $196 million.

The upgrades include new lounges and amenity areas, revamped locker rooms and washrooms, three new elevators and a temporary grass playing surface.

Eby says the facelift will not only meet FIFA’s requirements for hosting World Cup games, but help attract other major events to the stadium, which is owned by PavCo, a provincial Crown corporation.

He says the provincial government expects about one million people to visit B.C. as a result of the tournament, and about a one billion dollar impact to the local economy.

The expanded World Cup is being held in 16 cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico between June 11 and July 19.

This report by Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press, was first published May 12, 2026.