Toronto is eagerly awaiting confirmation of $97 million in funding from the Ontario government for the upcoming FIFA World Cup matches set to take place at BMO Field. The city’s FIFA secretariat provided an update on funding and revenue to the World Cup subcommittee, emphasizing that negotiations are still ongoing with the province.
With a total budget of $380 million for the six matches, the city has allocated nearly $180 million, while the federal government has pledged about $104 million, leaving the remaining amount to be covered by the province. Councilor Paul Ainslie urged the Ontario government to fulfill its commitment promptly, highlighting the economic benefits that the event will bring through tax revenue.
FIFA projects a positive economic impact of $1.3 billion for Toronto during the World Cup. Councilor Amber Morley expressed confidence that the Ontario government will meet its obligations and play a vital role in hosting the tournament, emphasizing the importance of visitor spending to boost tax revenue.
While the city expected the provincial contribution to be in cash, it has been informed that part of it will be provided in the form of services such as policing, transportation, and healthcare. Discussions between the city and province are ongoing regarding the valuation of these services.
Premier Doug Ford’s office confirmed that the $97 million commitment includes provincial services and emphasized the need for clear identification and accurate costing of these services. In case the cash component falls short of $97 million, the city will explore alternative funding options or cost reductions.
Mayor Olivia Chow has expressed concerns about exceeding the allocated budget for the World Cup and is engaged in ongoing discussions with the province to address funding challenges.
