Staff Report to Council: 2026 FIFA World Cup Team Base Camp Opportunity Update

DATE

Monday, August 18, 2025

DEPARTMENT

Parks and Recreation

SUBJECT

2026 FIFA World Cup Team Base Camp Opportunity Update

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being hosted in North America between June 11th and July 19th. With 48 teams participating, there is a need for 48 Team Base Camps (TBC) throughout North America. The TBCs will be pre-selected, FIFA approved, training facilities for each participating team to practice at during the group stage of the tournament. FIFA is preparing a brochure of 72 possible TBC locations, and Langford is under consideration for inclusion. FIFA requires a commitment from the City to convert the artificial turf field at Starlight Stadium to natural grass, at a cost of approximately $1 - $1.2 million, in addition to any costs incurred for the security escorts (RCMP), road closures, and any other fees and permits associated with hosting a team. To mitigate the costs of the additional expenses, the City would receive a rental fee from FIFA of approximately $10,000 – $15,000 USD a day.

At the March 3, 2025, Council Meeting, Council passed a resolution directing staff to request funding assistance from the Province of British Columbia and the Federal Government with respect to the costs of converting the Starlight Stadium field from artificial turf to natural grass, and to direct staff to continue with the FIFA Team Base Camp process, contingent on Provincial and Federal Government funding support, and commit to the necessary costs and renovations should Langford be selected as a Team Base Camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As the City has been notified that both the Provincial and Federal Governments are unable to provide financial support, staff are seeking direction from Council on whether the City wishes to proceed with the bid.

BACKGROUND

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being hosted in North America (Canada, USA, and Mexico) between June 11th and July 19th, spanning 16 cities across four quadrants. The City of Vancouver is one of three host cities in the Northwest quadrant (with Seattle and San Francisco) and will host games during the group and knockout stages. FIFA is looking for Team Base Camp (TBC) locations in the northwest quadrant to be the base and practice facility of a World Cup team during the group stage of the tournament. Along with a training facility, a suitable hotel, and an international airport are also required.

FIFA is looking to put forward 72 TBC options to the 48 participating teams, therefore not every FIFA-approved site will be selected. If selected, TBC facilities will receive between $10,000 - $15,000 USD per day in venue rental fees for the duration of the 22-day group stage. The rental fee varies based on pitch space, available amenities, media centers, or the amount of renovations required. These rental fees are meant to offset the cost of security, lost venue rental revenue, and other associated expenses.

As of April 16, 2025, 62 options for TBC’s have been selected, none of which are located in Canada.

To be considered as a TBC, FIFA requires a commitment from the City of Langford that, should Langford be selected as a TBC, the City will convert the Starlight Stadium field from artificial turf to natural grass by March 31, 2026 (approximate cost of $1 - $1.2 million), as well as cover the costs for the necessary additional services such as security and transportation.

COMMENTARY

Staff have been working with a sports consultant to determine the feasibility and likelihood of Langford being selected as a TBC. Based on preliminary discussions and a site visit with FIFA representatives, it is believed that Starlight Stadium meets their requirements, which includes space for a media centre, coaches offices, dressing rooms, a minimum of 500 seats, fleet and media parking, and a minimum of grade 2 (500 Lux) flood lights. As team access to a fitness and weight centre is also required, staff have reached out to Rugby Canada to discuss the possibility of using the Al Charron Rugby Canada National Training Centre to meet these FIFA requirements. Rugby Canada is open to the idea and advised staff that if Langford were to be selected as a TBC, they should be able to accommodate the training needs of the team.

In addition to having a suitable field and training facility, TBC’s must also be able to provide a variety of services, including facilities that meet FIFA standards, traffic management, police escorts, temporary road closures (including costs of these services), secured parking for teams and media, assistance with branding and temporary overlays at training sites, and organization of community engagement activities, such as open training sessions.

Based on conversations with the consultant, the levels of service required will vary depending on which FIFA team selects Langford. The City would be responsible for these services and associated costs; however, it is anticipated the daily rental fee would cover the majority, if not all, of these costs.

At the March 3, 2025, Council Meeting, Council resolved to direct staff to request funding assistance from the Province of British Columbia and the Federal Government with respect to the costs of converting the Starlight Stadium field from artificial turf to natural grass.

Subsequently, the City issued letters to the Provincial and Federal Ministers responsible for sport,