Canada - USA - Mexico win 2026 world cup bid

[1971GreyCup]

https://www.thestar.com/sports/world...h-america.html

It's expected that 3 cities in Canada will split 10 games.

BMO Field capacity will be at least 45,500.

I would expect that a new stadium makes more sense than adapting current BMO Field.

[Treblecharger1]

Only 10 games are being played in Canada. Toronto will be lucky if they get 4 games Maximum.

BMO Can be increased to 45k in soccer configuration with Templeton stands.

[jerrym]

According to CTV News, BMO will need to be expanded to 60,000 with temporary seats and the Olympic Stadium in Montreal will require a $400,000,000 upgrade for the World Cup.

[jerrym]

The Big Owe, which was estimated to cost $71 million in 1971, ended up costing $1.1 billion in debt. It was finally paid off thirty years after the 1976 Montreal Olympics in 2006. Now the stadium will produce a new Big Owe. Maybe we should move the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill to the Big Owe to symbolize when the new debt might be paid off.

[R.J]

Works out well for MLSE I suppose since they were planning to upgrade BMO Field, and now they'll get some Government Funding. Canada won't get any of the playoff games, so minimum requirement is 40,000. From my understanding Bill Manning was talking about going 35,000 permanent with the ability to go slight over 45,000 with temps. That may be too big for TFC and the Argos in the long run IMO.

[PullTogether73]

https://www.thestar.com/sports/world...h-america.html

It's expected that 3 cities in Canada will split 10 games.

BMO Field capacity will be at least 45,500.

I would expect that a new stadium makes more sense than adapting current BMO Field.

Who would build a new sports stadium in Toronto?
And for what purpose? 3 soccer matches?

[1971GreyCup]

Who would build a new sports stadium in Toronto?
And for what purpose? 3 soccer matches?

Russia built 12 (?) stadia for 80 games. I don’t know the funding model, or if FIFA share the billions to the host cities. Can anyone enlighten us?

FIFA won’t be playing World Cup matches in temporary facilities. I suspect a new build in the parking lot south of BMO Field makes more sense. Or TFC and the Argos play on the road for a couple of seasons.

Olympic and World Cup games, rightly or wrongly, are always sold to the public on the value added infrastructure that is left behind.

[argolio]

Russia built 12 (?) stadia for 80 games. I don’t know the funding model, or if FIFA share the billions to the host cities. Can anyone enlighten us?

FIFA won’t be playing World Cup matches in temporary facilities. I suspect a new build in the parking lot south of BMO Field makes more sense. Or TFC and the Argos play on the road for a couple of seasons.

Olympic and World Cup games, rightly or wrongly, are always sold to the public on the value added infrastructure that is left behind.

Those Russian stadiums will be used by Russian club teams. Plus they've got an authouritarian leader who has the power to spend however much he wants on whatever he wants.

Canada is getting nothing after the round of 16, and I bet Toronto only gets group games, so FIFA can probably live with temporary seats for that.

[PullTogether73]

Russia built 12 (?) stadia for 80 games. I don’t know the funding model, or if FIFA share the billions to the host cities. Can anyone enlighten us?

FIFA won’t be playing World Cup matches in temporary facilities. I suspect a new build in the parking lot south of BMO Field makes more sense. Or TFC and the Argos play on the road for a couple of seasons.

Olympic and World Cup games, rightly or wrongly, are always sold to the public on the value added infrastructure that is left behind.

Those Russian stadiums will be used by Russian club teams. Plus they've got an authouritarian leader who has the power to spend however much he wants on whatever he wants.

Canada is getting nothing after the round of 16, and I bet Toronto only gets group games, so FIFA can probably live with temporary seats for that.

Agreed that Olympic/World Cup games are sold on their lasting infrastructure development in addition to the immediate $ influx during the games.
But recent experience has shown that this is largely a fallacy in practice.
Ask the Greek government about the long term infrastructure uses after they last hosted the Olympics. My understanding is that most are on their way to becoming ruins like the Acropolis!
Russia invested heavily in the Sochi Olympics. The ski events apparently were held on facilities built below the frost line, leaving no use for their intended purpose after the Olympics.

IMO the costs of hosting these events far outweighs the benefits, and I see little value in being involved other than some short term chest pumping marketing benefit.
If it results in long term improvements to BMO Field, as an Argos STH I would welcome that, but not at any exorbitant cost to the city (and how my tax dollars are spent).

[Flutie]

Agreed that Olympic/World Cup games are sold on their lasting infrastructure development in addition to the immediate $ influx during the games.
But recent experience has shown that this is largely a fallacy in practice.
Ask the Greek government about the long term infrastructure uses after they last hosted the Olympics. My understanding is that most are on their way to becoming ruins like the Acropolis!
Russia invested heavily in the Sochi Olympics. The ski events apparently were held on facilities built below the frost line, leaving no use for their intended purpose after the Olympics.

IMO the costs of hosting these events far outweighs the benefits, and I see little value in being involved other than some short term chest pumping marketing benefit.
If it results in long term improvements to BMO Field, as an Argos STH I would welcome that, but not at any exorbitant cost to the city (and how my tax dollars are spent).

We don't know the details yet but if the feds/province have stated $35 Million towards the upgrade then maybe MLSE will put up money towards the upgrade.
MLSE has already spent $100 Million on BMO. If they could match that funding the end zone seats could be permanent, re-build the west side with an upper deck. They could be then thinking about the NFL.
Upgrade to Lamport for the Argos

[ArgoGabe22]

Montreal should try to get a new downtown stadium. Hello Expos!

[Shatto]

With all the money the federal gov't will be giving to upgrade the Toronto/Montreal stadiums for a handful of World Cup soccer games, do you suppose they may find a bit more to help build a stadium in the Maritimes for the CFL?

[1971GreyCup]

With all the money the federal gov't will be giving to upgrade the Toronto/Montreal stadiums for a handful of World Cup soccer games, do you suppose they may find a bit more to help build a stadium in the Maritimes for the CFL?

That’s such a good idea that it will never happen! Next person to see Randy Ambrosie should ask him. He’ll be at one of the opening day games.

[R.J]

Things could change between now and 2026, but a big part of the reason the United bid was rated so highly by FIFA was because the United bid is using existing infrastructure to host the games (Bid has 3 in Canada, 3 in Mexico, and 17 in the U.S; 10 will be selected from the U.S). No new stadiums as of now are planned.

As part of the bid book, the games in Canada will be played in Olympic Stadium (Bid Book capacity: 55,822, expandable to 73,000); Commonwealth Stadium (Bid book capacity: 56,418); and BMO Field (Bid book capacity of 45,500). As I stated previously: MLSE was planning to update BMO Field (particularly the West Stands, Endzones, and Suites), so this works out for them because it should ensure some Government funding. Permanent seating for BMO should be around 35,000 for soccer; which would lead to the 45,500 capacity with temp seats. CFL set-up should be around 30,000 seats, and expandable to 40,000+ for a potential Grey Cup.

Halfiax will not be receiving any World Cup money for a stadium due to them not being a part of the bid, but that doesn't mean LeBlanc & Co. can't or won't ask for any funding when the time is right. It'll just be separate from the World Cup Bid.

[Flutie]

Things could change between now and 2026, but a big part of the reason the United bid was rated so highly by FIFA was because the United bid is using existing infrastructure to host the games (Bid has 3 in Canada, 3 in Mexico, and 17 in the U.S; 10 will be selected from the U.S). No new stadiums as of now are planned.

As part of the bid book, the games in Canada will be played in Olympic Stadium (Bid Book capacity: 55,822, expandable to 73,000); Commonwealth Stadium (Bid book capacity: 56,418); and BMO Field (Bid book capacity of 45,500). As I stated previously: MLSE was planning to update BMO Field (particularly the West Stands, Endzones, and Suites), so this works out for them because it should ensure some Government funding. Permanent seating for BMO should be around 35,000 for soccer; which would lead to the 45,500 capacity with temp seats. CFL set-up should be around 30,000 seats, and expandable to 40,000+ for a potential Grey Cup.

Halfiax will not be receiving any World Cup money for a stadium due to them not being a part of the bid, but that doesn't mean LeBlanc & Co. can't or won't ask for any funding when the time is right. It'll just be separate from the World Cup Bid.

"The biggest unanswered questions focus on the cost of hosting the event. A funding partnership is expected between all three levels of government, with the City’s share expected to be in the vicinity of $30-45 million.

Mainly temporary stands, but I hope they can re-build the west stands and have a concourse between upper and lower decks like TDP and THF.
Lamport would be used for a practice facility for the World Cup teams, all practice facilities would have grass.

The Big Owe in Montreal was already getting a new roof, the only renovations there will be the grass field.

For Canada hosting some World Cup games, it's not a big cost for taxpayers. The big bonus is that World Cup brings in a lot of fans from other countries.

http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2018/06/what-does-fifa-2026-have-store-toronto

[R.J]

Canada and Mexico will only get Group stage games. From the newly expanded Round of 32 (which debuts in 2026) and on: all games are played in the U.S.

[Will]

Remind me to be out of the city in 2026.

[argolio]

According to a commentator during one of yesterday's games, that particular Russian stadium is using temporary stands for the World Cup.

[rdavies]

Quebec to spend at least $200 million on new roof for Olympic Stadium
Olympic Installations Board will produce a viability study for work to replace the problem-plagued roof and hopes to have it installed by 2023.
Philip Authier, Montreal Gazette November 10, 2017

QUEBEC — The Couillard government has given the go-ahead to replacing the failing roof on the Olympic Stadium.

Officials said Thursday the decision was made by the Quebec cabinet Oct. 25, but the government was waiting until after the municipal election, last Sunday, to make it public.

The estimated cost of the new roof is between $200 million and $250 million.

An agency that oversees Montreal’s Olympic Stadium said on Friday that parts of the new roof planned for the cavernous facility could be removable. The Parc Olympique said in a statement it favours the option of a fixed roof made out of some form of textile.

But it says the Olympic Installations Board will also look at the possibility of making various sections removable for different events.

The OIB has been authorized to produce a viability study and seek tenders, internationally, for the highly specialized work of replacing the problem-plagued roof. The target to have the new roof installed is 2023.

Quebec wants to look at all the available options, but a fully retractable roof — which was part of French architect Roger Taillibert’s original design — is not going to happen.

Quebec’s harsh winters played havoc with that roof, which was made out of the miracle product of the day — Kevlar — and the government doesn’t want to get burned twice.

This time Quebec is looking for someone able to manufacture “a fixed but flexible,” style roof which can be partially dismantled in some areas on short notice to meet the needs of groups that want to hold events under the sun or stars.

Such stadium roofs exist in Marseille and Japan. Quebec believes such a roof will help transform the stadium into a money maker instead of a money pit.

“We want to see if this is technically feasible and financially viable,” said an official.

Quebec Tourism Minister Julie Boulet, who is responsible for the OIB, was not commenting on the new project Thursday, but has said in the past the government’s main concern is finding an entirely safe option.

On Thursday, however, Premier Philippe Couillard defended the idea of spending more public money on the stadium.

“Do we want to abandon the Olympic Stadium, let it fall into ruin?” Couillard asked, stopping during a tour of a plant in the city of Asbestos in the Townships.

“I don’t think many people would be happy about that. We are going to continue making it (the stadium) one of Montreal’s attractions.

“Desjardins just set up offices in the tower of the stadium and others will follow. but the place cannot be used if we don’t repair the roof,” Couillard added.

The stadium’s roof has been the source of grief for years, with a long litany of rips and tears even with events underway.

The first roof, installed in April 1987, lasted 11 years. The current fixed roof — installed in 1998 — is on its last legs. It was recently revealed that workers at the stadium have had to repair nearly 7,500 tears in the roof since 2007.

It cannot be used if there is more than three centimetres of snow on top of it.

Built for the 1976 Olympic Games, Montrealers have a love-hate relationship with the stadium, which is now more than 40 years old and has been home to such historic events as papal visits as well as major rock concerts.

The costs of construction, $1.47 billion, were not paid off in full until November 2006.

Some argued the stadium should be demolished, but those costs are also astronomically high, leaving the government little choice but to invest some of its new-found surplus money in the operation.