Chow inherits rising tab of beautiful game

It’s not uncommon for a political leader to discover as they settle into office that their predecessors have bequeathed to them a vexing problem or two.

For Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, the World Cup deal agreed to by John Tory, is just such a matter — a big-ticket commitment on which the meter continues to run.

As it stands, the cost of hosting six 2026 World Cup games in Toronto has soared to an eye-popping $380 million — or about $60 million a match.

Given the problems facing this city, it’s a safe guess Chow could happily have found other uses for the money.

But the decision made during Tory times leaves the mayor with little choice but to work to keep costs in line, squeeze the largest possible help from the federal and provincial governments, and make the most of the opportunity of hosting the biggest event of the most popular game in the world.

There will be tangible benefits, such as infrastructure improvements. And the games are sure to be a tourist draw, meaning hotels, restaurants and souvenir vendors will be hopping.

There are also intangible benefits, including the buzz that comes with being a centre of such a huge global event, and the fact the diverse nature of Toronto ensures there are passionate backers of just about every nation competing and that every victory will see a flag-waving, horn-honking parade up Yonge Street.

Critics may say that would have happened if the games — co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, with 10 games in Canada and six in Toronto — were being played anywhere in the world and watched on TV, as most Canadians (given that the affluent are likely to dominate the seats) will still be doing.

It must be doubly vexing to Chow that the terms of the contracts require the City of Toronto not to disclose their contents.

As critics have said, secrecy is often a breeding ground for waste, abuse and corruption.

That being the case, with the watchdogs watching, the frugal fuming and soccer fans beside themselves with excitement, the mayor must weave a Lionel Messi-like course.

The clever ball-handling was evident in her comments in the wake of the latest cost update. Chow said she was excited to bring the world to Toronto.

The city’s estimate that hosting the World Cup games would generate at least $392 million in GDP for Toronto and $120 million in tax revenue for the region “is certainly good for the country and good for the businesses and excellent for soccer fans.”

The city will “do what we can,” Chow said to reduce costs and find new sources of revenue to underwrite the event.

For leaders, the issue of hosting mega-events is inherently fraught, involving as it does the incendiary issues of big money, national pride, global competition, glory and heartbreak. Both cost and value need to be considered and weighed.

Over the next two years, Chow will need to cluck in sympathy with those opposed to a governing ethos of bread and circuses, or, to be frank, anything to do with the governing soccer body of FIFA, or to joining a recent list of host regimes such as Qatar and Russia.

At the same time, she mustn’t come off as a killjoy incapable of understanding just how much this particular game means to so many.

Chow also knows that in the heat of competition, things can change.

The Ontario government said, after the report of ballooning costs, that it won’t help cover the higher bill by increasing the $97million commitment announced in December.

But if bet-happy sports fans know anything, it’s this. Premier Doug Ford has demonstrated a world-class talent for reversing himself.

Seeing how 2026 is an Ontario election year, and knowing the premier’s style of folksy appeal, and given his fondness for spectacle, Chow can reasonably bank on the fact he’ll change his mind and pony up.

It must be doubly vexing to Mayor Chow that the terms of the contracts require the City of Toronto not to disclose their contents