Bob Mackin
The NDP government won’t update British Columbians about the cost of Vancouver being a FIFA World Cup host city until the end of the month — probably after the Legislature session ends on May 28.
But Premier David Eby said it would release details on May 14 about the government’s ticket purchases for economic development and “people who would require support to otherwise be able to attend a World Cup game here in British Columbia.”
Premier David Eby in renovated B.C. Place Stadium on May 12, 2026, two days before FIFA takes over the stadium for the World Cup. (Mackin)
theBreaker was first to report that the NDP government will host the B.C. Business House at the Vancouver Convention Centre during the World Cup, with industry-specific promotions timed for the day before each of the seven B.C. Place Stadium matches.
Eby said the promotion is a tie-in with the government’s Look West economic strategy to diversify trade relationships away from the U.S. — the primary host of the 2026 World Cup.
The NDP is setting its sights on a gas-rich, Middle East autocracy with a poor human rights record.
“We are going to host the Qatari delegation here with an eye to supporting their understanding of the remarkable investment opportunities here in British Columbia,” Eby said.
Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup and its team will play Canada on June 18 at B.C. Place.
Last June, the province said the gross cost of hosting FIFA 26 could be as much as $624 million.
Corner seats in B.C. Place Stadium. (Mackin)
High prices
Eby said his government would have a stricter approach than the BC Liberal government had with Winter Olympic tickets in 2010.
“Tickets were bought by the public, for politicians to be able to attend games just to watch the game — our government will not be doing that,” Eby said. “We’ll release a full ticketing policy about when and under what circumstances politicians will be allowed to attend.”
The scant amount of tickets available on FIFA’s last minute ticketing website range from $420 to $3,735 each.
Asked why the government did not negotiate for a stream of lower-cost tickets for exclusive purchase by British Columbians, Eby switched the topic to the numerous taxpayer-subsidized public watch parties throughout the province.
Who’s selling?
Eby did not reveal the source of the province’s tickets.
Under its agreement with FIFA, City of Vancouver receives 200 complimentary VIP tickets for each match. FIFA also provides the host committee the right to buy 1.5% of the available tickets for purchase at each BC Place match.
City hall said in 2025 that it had set aside a $13.4 million budget to buy suites, lounges and VIP tickets for resale as part of regional sponsorship packages involving the B.C. Pavilion Corporation sales department. City hall paid FIFA contractor On Location $600,386 last year. Staff refuse to reveal how much was spent in 2026 so far or whether anyone has bought into the host city supporters or host city champions programs.
Close-up on B.C. Place’s temporary FIFA World Cup pitch, grown in Abbotsford by Bos Sod Farms. (Mackin)
Photo op
Eby visited the stadium on May 12 to show-off the $109 million, FIFA-demanded renovations, including new VIP hospitality facilities, renovated dressing rooms, more elevators, broadcast upgrades and a souvenir store.
The real attention-getter was the temporary pitch — a “hybrid sod” synthetic fibre reinforced natural grass surface — grown to FIFA specifications by Abbotsford’s Bos Sod Farms.
Save the Caps
On May 13, provincial and Vancouver officials and First Nations leaders will meet with Major League Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps executives to find a way to keep the club in Vancouver.
A group is in talks with MLS about moving the team to a proposed new stadium in Las Vegas. A Lower Mainland group has suddenly formed to make an offer to take over from media-shy owner Greg Kerfoot.
“If the fix is in and it’s going to Vegas, then just be clear with us,” Eby said. “But if not — and I don’t believe that that decision has been made — then this table is a reflection of our willingness to bring together those key partners, to be creative and to find that solution.”
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