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CBC
29 minutes ago
- CBC
Vancouver's set to co-host World Cup next year. Who stands to benefit?
World Cup soccer is just a year away from descending on Vancouver. And while some are thrilled about international football stars coming to their backyard, others are concerned about the potential negative effects of hosting one of the biggest sporting tournaments in the world. "There's a concern that the city is really not seeing this as an opportunity to bring the community in ... but an opportunity to shut the community out in order to invite particular kinds of visitors to the expectations of FIFA," Meg Holden, an urbanist at Simon Fraser University, told The Current guest host Catherine Cullen. Holden's concern stems from a 98-page document detailing the stipulations of Vancouver's deal with FIFA to host part of the 2026 World Cup, which was made public on July 15 thanks to a three-year legal battle from independent journalist Bob Mackin. Vancouver and Toronto will both represent Canada as co-host cities during the tournament, jointly hosted in 2026 by Canada, the U.S. and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. But even though just seven games will be played at BC Place in Vancouver, some people have big concerns about its impact on the community, and who will actually see the profits. Branding, traffic, 'beautification' rules applied According to the document, Vancouver will have to enforce what's called a controlled area on a match day, as well as the day before a match day, within two kilometres of BC Place. That means the city will be required to cover up or remove "any advertisement and commercial identification located within the controlled area," though what that will look like is unclear. The document also says that public sales of food, beverages, fan items, souvenirs or similar products in the controlled area "must be in accordance with the restrictions defined, and further instructions provided by FIFA." In an emailed statement to the CBC, the Vancouver Host Committee said the controlled area "is in place specifically for the purpose of preventing unauthorized marketing to ensure protection of the FIFA Intellectual Property (IP), also known as their brand." It said that it will not require businesses in the area to close. City beautification, which involves making the city "as attractive as possible," is also mandatory within that same radius, along with traffic restrictions. Holden says this is especially alarming, as that includes Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, which has struggled with crime and homelessness, and could make life difficult for the most vulnerable. "Air quality inside can be terrible. Air quality outside could be terrible if we have a bad forest fire season. What are the plans to make life tolerable for people?" said Holden. City councillor Mike Klassen told CBC's On The Coast guest host Amy Bell that the city won't displace anyone, including those who live in the Downtown Eastside. Klassen said he wants the city to be "really sensitive and supportive" of people in the downtown core, but also wants to ensure "our city sparkles" as tens of thousands of spectators from around the world are about to visit. WATCH | Vancouver councillor addresses business concerns over FIFA contract: Vancouver councillor addresses business concerns over FIFA contract 11 days ago Cost of doing business FIFA is leaving additional costs for venues, policing, organizing, or security to the city. Organizers estimate it will cost between $532 million and $624 million to host the event in Vancouver. Some of that will be covered by the provincial government. Despite reassurances from the city, Jules Boykoff says residents should be very concerned about what hosting a World Cup event will mean for them. Boykoff is a professor of politics and government at Pacific University in Oregon, and has taken a deep dive into the long-term impacts of mega sporting events. "These sporting events, like the FIFA World Cup of soccer or the Olympic Games, tend to benefit the upper echelons of economic society at the expense oftentimes of working class people in the host city," he said. The province has said it estimates about a million out-of-province travellers will visit Vancouver between 2026 and 2031 because of the event, which will lead to an additional $1 billion in visitor spending. But Boykoff, who has written six books on the impact of the Olympic Games on host cities, finds it's usually the big sponsors who are raking in the extra cash, not local businesses. WATCH | Vancouver's FIFA World Cup contract could affect downtown restaurants: Vancouver's FIFA World Cup contract could affect downtown restaurants 13 days ago "When you look at those rosy forecasts that were made in the bid process for the FIFA World Cup, they've really wilted under the heat of reality," said Boykoff. "I mean, costs are increasing in city after city, and these cities are facing real fiscal pressure." In 2018, Chicago withdrew its bid to host World Cup games, saying it felt FIFA could not provide necessary details around how Chicago residents would be impacted. Then in 2021, Montreal withdrew its bid over a lack of provincial government support. Edmonton had a bid to host games, but wasn't chosen. Meanwhile, Boykoff says the World Cup means big bucks for its host organization. FIFA reported over $7.5 billion US in revenue between 2019 and 2022. PR firm Pitch Marketing Group estimates FIFA's revenue will surpass $10 billion US at the 2026 World Cup. According to Vancouver's 98-page contract, FIFA will keep the revenue from ticket sales and sponsorships. "So they have money and they could spread it around, but they tend to be quite miserly with it and look out for their own interests, not the city in which they're visiting," said Boykoff. City accountability Meg Holden says the City of Vancouver already took a big misstep when it originally promised a field at Memorial South Park as training grounds for the Canadian men's national team, switched to the existing National Soccer Development Centre at UBC following public outcry. The host committee says it's working with major businesses within the area to minimize disruptions, and will be ramping up that outreach to include local businesses, stakeholders and residents over the next year. Holden says the city could benefit from doing something similar to what it did ahead of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. It hosted a plebiscite about the Winter Games, giving people a chance to voice their concerns and hopes for the big-time event.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Vaval boosts Blue Bombers in 40-31 win over Argonauts
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Trey Vaval (23) celebrates his punt return for a touchdown against the Toronto Argonauts with Willie Jefferson (5) during first half CFL action in Winnipeg, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade WINNIPEG — Rookie Trey Vaval dazzled a sold-out crowd of Blue Bombers fans when he returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and followed up with a 97-yard punt return for a major that helped Winnipeg snap a three-game losing streak with a 40-31 victory over the Toronto Argonauts on Friday. It was the first and second TDs of the CFL season for the defensive back from Montana. Chris Streveler started for Winnipeg (4-3) after quarterback Zach Collaros left last week's 31-17 loss in Toronto with a neck injury. The backup completed 17 of 21 pass attempts for 173 yards with three interceptions. He also ran four times for 25 yards and one touchdown in front of the team's ninth consecutive sellout at Princess Auto Stadium. Nick Arbuckle was 22-of-39 passing for 327 yards with one interception and two TDs for the Argonauts (2-6). The game kicked off on time after the Blue Bombers and CFL were monitoring the smoky air quality caused by forest fires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Air Quality Health Index was seven at game time, under the threshold of eight that would have delayed or postponed the contest. It had a very high risk of 10-plus in the morning. Winnipeg defensive end Jay Person also got the crowd cheering when he returned an Arbuckle fumble 28 yards for a score. Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo connected on field goals from 46, 49, 34 and 31 yards, but hit an upright on a 45-yard attempt. He was good on four converts. Toronto receiver Damonte Coxie had touchdown catches of 16 and 56 yards, as he hauled in nine passes for 187 yards. Linebacker Cameron Judge returned an interception 47 yards for a TD. Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu was good on field goals from 44, 25 and nine yards and made three converts. John Haggerty booted an 85-yard punt for a single. The Bombers led 14-7 after the first quarter, 31-13 at halftime and 34-24 heading into the fourth. After Castillo missed a 45-yarder on Winnipeg's first possession, big plays had the crowd groaning again and then cheering. Toronto defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II tipped a Streveler pass, the ball bounced into Judge's hands and he took it into the end zone at 5:53. On the kickoff, Vaval showed his speed for his 93-yard TD return. Winnipeg finished the first quarter with Streveler running the ball nine yards across the goal line. The second quarter featured Person and Vaval. After defensive end Willie Jefferson forced Arbuckle to fumble, Person scooped up the ball for a 28-yard score at 12:57. Vaval followed that up a minute later with his 97-yard punt return. The Argonauts scored on their first two possessions of the third quarter with Coxie's 16-yard TD catch and a nine-yard field goal by Hajrullahu after Toronto was stopped from one and two yards out. Castillo sailed through a 33-yarder early in the fourth, but Toronto responded with Coxie's 56-yard TD. After Arbuckle was intercepted by linebacker Tony Jones, the Bombers got to the red zone but Streveler was intercepted in the end zone by defensive back Tarvarus McFadden with just under three minutes remaining. Winnipeg's defence stood tall on Toronto's final possessions and Castillo nailed a 31-yarder with 38 seconds left. UP NEXT Argonauts: Host the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday, Aug. 9. Blue Bombers: Visit the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, Aug. 9. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025. Judy Owen, The Canadian Press
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Witt, Wacha push Royals to 9-3 win over Blue Jays
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan TORONTO — Bobby Witt Jr. belted a three-run homer and veteran starter Michael Wacha pitched a three-hitter to lift the Kansas City Royals to a 9-3 win in the opener of a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Witt's blow came off Toronto starter Kevin Gausman (7-8) and was the second of four homers for the visitors as the Royals (55-55) won their third straight. The Blue Jays (64-47) were without George Springer for a fourth straight game. He was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list on Friday, retroactive to July 29. The home team snatched the lead in the first inning with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s 16th, a 428-foot blast into the left-field seats. But a two-run homer from Mike Yastrzemski in the second inning put the Royals up for good. Witt followed with his three-run homer in the third. In his eight innings, the 34-year-old Wacha (5-9) allowed only two hits after the Guerrero homer with no walks and five strikeouts. Gausman managed to last six innings despite the rough beginning. He surrendered his five runs on six hits and no walks with five strikeouts. Daulton Varsho (hamstring) returned from his two-month stay on the sidelines to play centre. Designated hitter Ty France and reliever Louis Varland made their Blue Jays debuts. France went 0-for-4, while Varland pitched a 1-2-3 seventh. Varsho was 0-for-3. Toronto reliever Mason Fluharty yielded a solo shot to Salvador Perez and a two-run homer by Adam Frazier in the Royals' four-run ninth. Addison Barger countered a two-run shot in the bottom half of the inning. TAKEAWAYS Royals: Yastrzemski, acquired from the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, impressed his new teammates with a one-out two-run homer in his first at-bat. Blue Jays: Alejandro Kirk (concussion) had a two-run single in three at-bats in a rehab assignment in triple-A Buffalo on Friday. He also picked off a runner at third base. Toronto expects to have him in the lineup on Sunday. KEY MOMENT Witt's three-run homer with none out in the third inning pushed the Royals to a four-run advantage. KEY STAT The Blue Jays slipped to 9-6 since the all-star break, having lost four of their last five games. UP NEXT Max Scherzer (1-1) will face Kansas City's Noah Cameron (5-4) on Saturday in the middle outing of the three-game series. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025. Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press
