BC PULSE – By 3-1 ration, residents say cost of World Cup games not worth it
Vancouver. (Image: Pixabay.com)
By ANGUS REID INSTITUTE
July 5, 2024 – Canadian soccer fans are in heaven this week, as Canada prepares to take on Venezuela in the Copa America quarter-finals for the first time in their nation’s history. On the west coast, however, British Columbians casting their eyes to the World Cup in 2026 are seeing the price tag as anything but heavenly.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds B.C. residents three-times as likely to say that the ballooning cost to host seven World Cup games in 2026 is “not worth it”. After the initial cost to the province of around $250 million reportedly doubled 60 per cent of residents and 61 per cent of Metro Vancouverites say the investment to host a portion of the tournament is not worth the price. One-in-five disagree and feel the venture is worthwhile (21%).
The tournament is expected to bring 350,000 visitors to the province, but British Columbians of all ages and income levels are evidently concerned about the cost. The highest concentration of residents saying this investment is “worth it” are men (25%) and those earning more than $100,000 (26%), with a majority across all demographics disagreeing.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Half a $billion to host 7 games played by overpaid sports elites? How about spending that money on housing instead?
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There is a long-ish list of things governments could be doing better with public money. Do you remember the Gordon Campbell Winter Olympics?
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AP news reported “The estimated cost of staging matches at BC Place Stadium during the 2026 World Cup has more than doubled over the past two years to $483 million to $581 million Canadian…”
For the $500 million plus Canada gets over two weeks, five games, two involving Canada. No doubt the tourism sector will benefits, heads-on-beds logic. Although ticket prices haven’t been announced, it’s not likely anyone with a modest income will be able to afford.
Then after two weeks everyone goes home. Left behind, nothing of value.
Maybe there is a better place to spend $500 million dollars then the 2026 World Cup matches in Vancouver.
If we could just take say half the money, the City could finance the first phase of the Build Kamloops vision:
“The multi-year visionary program will see the development of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, an arena multiplex, a curling and racquet sport facility, an indoor field facility, a leisure aquatic centre, and a senior’s centre or community space in conjunction with one of these.”
The first stage includes:
The construction of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, design and construction of the Arena Multiplex, and planning and design for the Curling and Racquet Sports Facility.
Faculties everyone could benefit from and everyone could enjoy.
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Don’t you think the rest of the province might have an issue with that Bob?
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You are no doubt right. We might have to share.
The point I was trying to make was that with that amount of money, permanent long lasting facilities could become a reality. Facilities that countless BC’ers could enjoy for years.
It is a ton of money just to put on the Ritz.
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But then what makes Kamloops special (besides a crappy city council) over any other municipality in B.C. or in Canada for all that matter? I am not a supporter of spending mega money on anything besides cycling infrastructure…but on a long thought a dignified concert hall would kind of be nice.
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