475 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

A newer sport is growing in popularity in Victoria

 

Step aside pickleball; walking soccer is here to fill a gap in Victoria’s social sports scene

 

https://www.vicnews....ictoria-7350707

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 April 2024 - 04:24 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

B.C.'s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport expects the 2026 World Cup in Vancouver to run up about a half-billion-dollar tab — more than double earlier projections.

Starting in June 2026, Vancouver will host seven World Cup matches at B.C. Place, in the heart of downtown. Vancouver is one of 16 host cities throughout North America.

In January 2023, the province figured it would cost about $230 million, but at the time, Vancouver was expected to host just five games. The province now expects costs could be anywhere from $483 million to $581 million.


https://www.cbc.ca/n...costs-1.7189808




There has to be a little bit of extra security and crowd control, but why each of these games requires much more money than a typical Canucks or Whitecaps game befuddles me.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 April 2024 - 02:45 PM.

[AllseeingEye]

So upgrades to BC Place will be added to, or in addition to, these revised number$?

[Victoria Watcher]

Upgrades are fine I guess. Maybe a larger media area is required. But the playing field and the public stands are not any different than is required for a Whitecaps game. Why all the expense?

[Victoria Watcher]

Earlier this year, the City of Toronto estimated its cost would be $380 million — a massive jump from its original $45 million estimate when the city first pitched the games in 2018.





^ how is that even possible?



In Toronto they just handed it all over to MLSE and just said “send us the bill”. So I can see all kinds of largesse. But it need not be this way.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 April 2024 - 03:11 PM.

[AllseeingEye]

Upgrades are fine I guess. Maybe a larger media area is required. But the playing field and the public stands are not any different than is required for a Whitecaps game. Why all the expense?

 

The shopping list is quite a bit longer actually. The RFP stipulated that BCP will need more VIP suites and hospitality space on the stadium’s Level 3, an upgrade to food-court concessions, renovation of washrooms and installation of more elevators - there are only 3 for a 55,000 seat facility which is no bueno for an event like the W-C. And this is what's planned only for this year.

 

The list of projects slated for 2025-6 is longer and includes: renovations to food-court washrooms, a banquet room, dressing rooms and the Edgewater Lounge; the addition of a merchandise store, a "premium" VIP-only entrance, and a connecting entrance between BCP and the Parq Hotel and Casino.

[Victoria Watcher]

I guess I understand why some proponents want to add all this ****.

But it’s a 90-minute game, and BC Place hosted many soccer and football games near capacity. Do people piss more now than in the 80s? Or eat more?

People in the damn suite should just pay.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 April 2024 - 04:34 PM.

[AllseeingEye]

Gotta remember though the W-C is not just any soccer game. Its literally a global event with over half the planet watching the games at some point in Qatar 2022.

 

It'll be more so of a frenetic experience if Canada somehow manages to improve on the lackluster 2022 effort and advance this time. I was in France in 1998 and it seemed like the entire world was there. Best parties ever! A Super Bowl and all the hype surrounding it is little more than a cheap backyard picnic in a run down tent in a crappy neighborhood by comparison. 

 

That said in BC with the ongoing homeless street population and associated street level crime rate, mental health and drug addiction crisis and the cost of everything going up and up I would expect any level of government kicking in for this shindig can anticipate a lot of flak from the locals.......

[Victoria Watcher]

I think I agree with you.

But the physical game takes place at a stadium we already own, in a time-slot we already host professional games in (Canucks or Whitecaps or Leafs or Toronto FC) all the peripheral events should just be private sector.

Apart from more security and transportation sectors for the athletes, why is hosting one WC game more expensive than a Canucks playoff game?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 April 2024 - 04:52 PM.

[Nparker]

...in BC with the ongoing homeless street population and associated street level crime rate, mental health and drug addiction crisis and the cost of everything going up and up I would expect any level of government kicking in for this shindig can anticipate a lot of flak from the locals.......

As well they should. The costs to the taxpayer are outrageous.

[Victoria Watcher]

Taylor Swift in Vancouver is probably a bigger set of events. At least for the local economy. But nobody is proposing $500 million of taxpayer money to pay for it.

This is not right.


She will play at the same stadium and doesn’t mind limited elevators or concessions or bathrooms.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 April 2024 - 05:40 PM.

[Mike K.]

$581 million cost, $436 million max revenue projection. If in reading the press release correctly:


With seven matches to be played in Vancouver during the FIFA World Cup 26 tournament, the Province, City of Vancouver and BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) have updated their estimates of the costs, revenues and economic benefits for the world’s largest single sporting event.

“Marquee sporting events like the FIFA World Cup 26 have the power to inspire people to get involved in sport, amplify community spirit and put a spotlight on our incredible province,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “We are excited to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to Vancouver and British Columbia during the World Cup to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with us, boost our tourism sector and economy and help secure lasting benefits for the people of B.C.”

The gross core cost for FIFA World Cup 26 in Vancouver is estimated to be between $483 million and $581 million. These gross costs are expected to be offset by $383 million to $436 million in estimated revenues and recoveries, including:

$116 million in direct financial contribution from the federal government;
$230 million in estimated revenue from the additional major events municipal and regional district tax introduced in the City of Vancouver in February 2023; and
$37 million to $90 million in anticipated revenue from other sources, such as facility rental fees and the FIFA commercial revenue program, which includes revenue opportunities at the FIFA fan festival, and opportunities for host city supporters and donors, and other provincial revenue.
After taking into account estimated revenues and recoveries, the Province estimates the net core cost of seven FIFA World Cup 26 matches to be $100 million to $145 million. This does not take into account potential additional provincial tax revenues as identified in the Province’s updated estimates of economic impact benefits, which are projected to be $224 million.

“The Government of Canada is proud to contribute close to $116 million to the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Vancouver, B.C. This event will showcase the hospitality, cultural diversity and landscape of British Columbia, while generating significant economic impact for communities across the province,” said Carla Qualtrough, federal Minister of Sport and Physical Activity. “Canadians are excited to cheer on Team Canada here at home. We are also excited to welcome the world to Vancouver in 2026!”

With Vancouver now confirmed to host seven matches, the economic benefits of hosting are estimated to include more than one million out-of-province visitors between 2026 and 2031, generating more than $1 billion in additional visitor spending and potentially up to $224 million in direct, indirect and other related provincial tax revenues.

The Province is committed to maximizing the social and economic impacts of these matches and will work to ensure people in all regions of the province share in the benefits.

“In just two short years, Vancouver will welcome the biggest event in the world,” said Ken Sim, mayor of Vancouver. “Hosting FIFA World Cup 26 Vancouver will boost Vancouver’s hospitality and entertainment industries, transform our city and make us a world-class destination for tourism and major event hosting for decades to come.”

The Province, in partnership with the City of Vancouver, continues to take action toward true and lasting reconciliation. This includes working closely with the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations on the delivery of the tournament and its associated activities.

“Soccer is an important sport to Musqueam and we know that this tournament will inspire a new generation of Musqueam soccer players and fans alike,” said Chief Wayne Sparrow, Musqueam Nation. “We look forward to welcoming the world to our Coast Salish lands and contributing to this successful event that has the power to lift people up and bring people together.”

Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, spokesperson, Squamish First Nation, said: “The Squamish Nation is looking forward to working with our partners to host the world when the FIFA World Cup kicks off on our shared traditional territories in 2026. We are excited that this global event has the potential to benefit all of our collective communities and we look forward to the lasting positive legacies that will come from this tournament.”

Chief Jen Thomas of Tsleil-Waututh Nation, said: “We believe in the power of sport and how it can inspire and lift up all of our people. In the spirit of true reconciliation, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation looks forward to working closely with its partners to realize the great potential this event has for all of our people, our lands, and our communities.”

Investments in renovations and improvements to BC Place will improve accessibility and help the stadium remain modern and competitive on the global stage for years to come to continue to attract the world’s best sports, music and events.

More than 3.5 billion people watch the FIFA World Cup every four years.

[UDeMan]

I think it all depends on what teams will play in Vancouver. If you get a big team like Italy, Argentina, Germany etc, the place will be packed. But the 2026 World Cup will expand to 48 teams. Vancouver might get Slovenia vs Costa Rica. or Ivory Coast vs Norway. Good luck selling out those games.

[AllseeingEye]

Rest assured they will have zero problem selling out BCP no matter who plays, clearly few people on this board either truly follow and appreciate what a big deal the WC is, or especially understand how many fans from literally everywhere will happily make the trip to Vancouver, Toronto or anywhere else to see their heroes. At the Qatar 2022 WC five billion people at one time or another watched on TV (or attended) those games. 

 

We Canadians think the Stanley Cup is a big deal from the perspective of a "viewing event". More broadly North Americans think the Super Bowl is a really big deal. From a global standpoint they're nothing. The Stanley Cup is a bowl of chopped nuts in comparison while the Super Bowl rates maybe as a few bowls of chopped nuts. In various rankings of worldwide sporting TV audience "hockey" - at any level including the NHL and Stanley Cup final - routinely doesn't even make the Top 20. The Super Bowl manages to barely make the Top 10. The Olympics and the World Cup stand alone and apart and waaaaaaaaaay above any other sporting spectacle. 

 

Vancouver BTW would do well to draw 31st ranked Costa Rica which is a splendid and supremely talented squad - and currently much higher ranked than is Canada in the current world rankings.

 

While its true BCP might not draw certain people from White Rock or Ladner or Abbotsford those seats will easily be taken by the legion of fans of those other countries who will travel and come to Vancouver; and not to mention the city has thousands of Italian, German, Greek and other -Canadians who are as passionate about soccer/futbol as any Canadian is about hockey. Fans will come not only from BC or Alberta but from the US and Mexico - and in big numbers - and other national teams particularly the highest ranked powers, have millions of fans worldwide that would relish a chance to see those teams in person.

 

I agree the costs of the event are problematic from several standpoints, including "optics". Selling tickets and putting bums into the seats however will be the very least of the worries of the organizing committee.

[Mike K.]

This is all so very lame.

$600 million could go towards fixing our roads. Instead, it’s going to a game for grown men who think what they see on TV matters in real life.

[AllseeingEye]

This is all so very lame.

$600 million could go towards fixing our roads. Instead, it’s going to a game for grown men who think what they see on TV matters in real life.

 

Grown men? Pretty certain there are several hundred million women+ watching too. Where do you get the "men" from - you don't think women aren't also a huge target market, and aren't watching as well? Kids?

 

Also Mike did you read your post above or did you just copy and paste it? Assuming the latest cost-benefit-revenue analysis is anywhere close to accurate, and there is no reason to think its not since among other things it now factors in variables like inflation which the original estimate did not nor did the province have a full understanding of what it would be responsible for - it does now - the crux of the entire matter is about ~ $150 million net cost to BC. So "no" $600 million is not being diverted away from roads. Nowhere near it. Even the NDP wouldn't be that stupid and must know if that were the case the entire bid would be unsustainable and not defensible on any level.

 

Whether you are a fan of the sport or not I would argue both the short and long term benefits of the WC far outweigh any silly plan that advocated spending one billion dollars on a single (museum) building: now we can all agree THAT was very lame....

[Victoria Watcher]

Assuming the latest cost-benefit-revenue analysis is anywhere close to accurate, 

 

These types of things are very hard to measure.

 

Sure, it will increase spending in bars and restaurants during the event days, but that money might just be diverted from the BC camping trip the viewers do not take.

[Nparker]

How much benefit will the rest of the province see for the hundreds of millions spent in Vancouver?

[Victoria Watcher]

How much benefit will the rest of the province see for the hundreds of millions spent in Vancouver?

 

Some, perhaps.

 

Hard to measure, but I'm sure nobody wants to live in a place that never has public festivals or events, and just diverts all funds to roads and hospitals.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 01 May 2024 - 07:13 AM.

[Nparker]

... I'm sure nobody wants to live in a place that never has public festivals or events, and just diverts all funds to roads and hospitals.

I'd be willing to give the latter concept a try and leave the events/festivals to the private sector.