Less than two weeks out from the beginning of the FIFA World Cup, and British Columbian taxpayers now have the latest projected total costs for hosting the event.

The projected gross core and essential core costs have gone up once again, but the provincial government is touting increased revenues to offset that. While this is still a projection of the costs, the province says this is a more complete view heading into the month-long event.

The total cost to taxpayers is estimated to be $685 million on the low end and up to $729 million on the high end, the province announced Friday (May 29).

That’s up more than $100 million on the high end from the projected costs released in June 2025. At that time, the province estimated $532 million on the low end and $624 million on the high end. It was also an increase from the projected costs released in 2024.

However, the province is touting a decrease in net core and essential hosting cost projections from the previous year due to the projected revenues, recoveries and contributions.

The May 2026 projects for revenues is $595 million on the low end or $615 million on the high end. That’s compared to the June 2025 projections, which estimated $448 million on the low end and $478 million on the high end.

Those updated projected revenues will reportedly lead to a $31-million decrease from high-end projections from June 2025 for the province’s net core and essential housing costs.

The May 2026 net core costs are estimated to be $90 million on the low end or $114 million on the high end. That’s compared to June 2025 projections, which estimated $85 million on the low end and $145 million on the high end.

The latest estimates comes the day after the spring legislative session ended, which sparked frustration from the Official Opposition. The B.C. Conservatives have been pushing for the release of the latest estimates since the beginning of May.

“If you want answers on DRIPA, you’ve got to wait six months. If you want to know what the cost of FIFA is, you’ve got to wait until the day after session, on a Friday, when the premier finds it convenient for him because he knows it’s not going to be good, “B.C. Conservative interim Leader Trevor Halford said.

The 2026 men’s World Cup is from June 11 to July 19. Vancouver will host seven matches, with the first on June 13. Vancouver will also host a round of 16 game in the knockout stage on July 7.

More to come.