Toronto mayor calls FIFA World Cup a ‘unquestionable success’ - CP24
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has declared the FIFA World Cup in Toronto an “unquestionable success.” This statement comes as city officials begin the process of evaluating the full financial impact of the tournament, a task expected to take several months.
Mayor Chow made her comments at a city hall news conference on Monday morning, shortly after the World Cup concluded. The final match saw Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 in extra time in New Jersey.
Tournament Impact and Attendance
Toronto played host to six matches during the tournament. According to Mayor Chow, approximately 250,000 people attended these matches at Toronto Stadium. Additionally, the FIFA Fan Fest at Fort York drew around 350,000 attendees to watch the games. An extra 60,000 individuals participated in separate watch parties held at Nathan Phillips Square.
Chow described the event as a “once in a lifetime, a once in a generation” experience for the city, noting that Toronto “came alive in a way that was truly special.”
In Vancouver, the FIFA Fan Festival also saw significant engagement, particularly during the final match between Spain and Argentina. The energy at the Vancouver Fan Festival was described as unmatched as fans gathered to witness Spain secure their second World Cup title, following their win in 2010.
For many Argentina supporters, the final brought disappointment, as it marked what was described as Lionel Messi’s last FIFA match of his career. Despite the outcome, some fans viewed the match as a symbolic passing of the torch, especially after a widely circulated photo showed Messi with a young Lamine Yamal from a charity calendar photoshoot years prior. The two players met again on the pitch as stars in the final match.
Financial Review Underway
The budget allocated for Toronto to host the World Cup was set at $380 million. The city’s portion, amounting to $178.7 million, was anticipated to be largely covered by a levy on hotel accommodations, sponsorships, and other revenue streams. Mayor Chow emphasized that no taxpayer money should be used for hosting the World Cup, and she believes the city upheld this commitment.
However, City Manager Paul Johnson indicated that it is too early to confirm whether the event remained within its budget. While he does not expect the additional expenses incurred over the 39-day tournament to result in significant cost overruns, a comprehensive understanding of the financial situation will take an extended period.
City officials will also be working to assess if the projected $1 billion in economic impact from hosting the World Cup was realized. Johnson noted that some sectors performed well, while others may not have experienced the anticipated economic boost. He stated that a full account of Toronto’s hosting experience will be compiled over time, incorporating input from FIFA and other sources.
Mayor Chow had previously expressed concerns in 2024 about being burdened with the financial costs of hosting the World Cup, a decision made by the previous city administration. When asked if the tournament’s price tag was ultimately justified, Chow focused on the intangible benefits, stating that the ability for children and ordinary Torontonians to discover the game and find heroes is “priceless.”
The PNE Fan Fest in Vancouver, which opened the previous month, held its final live broadcast on Sunday.
Source: cp24.com
