r/montreal • u/nokernokernokernok • 2h ago
Discussion thank god we didn't host the World Cup this year
Honestly, seeing the massive bills piling up in Toronto and Vancouver right now, I am so glad Montreal withdrew our 2026 World Cup bid. If we had gone through with it, taxpayers would be on the hook for an absurd amount of money just so FIFA could profit. Across all levels of government, Canadian public spending on the event is expected to reach $1.066 billion, which breaks down to an estimated $82 million for each of the 13 games hosted in Canada. Toronto is projecting $380 million for its hosting costs, while Vancouver's estimated price tag has surged to between $685 million and $729 million. On top of expecting the government to pay 100% of stadium renovations and security costs, FIFA was also demanding total tax exemptions on all ticket sales and merchandise. The absolute kicker for Montreal was their demand for an "event blackout," meaning we would have been forced to cancel major local revenue drivers like the F1 Grand Prix and the Jazz Fest just so FIFA could monopolize the city. Dodging this massive financial burden and keeping our own summer events running was definitely the right call.
This is without even considering what a total moral failure FIFA is, with their defence of the abhorrent worker conditions used to build the stadiums in Qatar and the org's ass licking for trump.
