Toronto reselling World Cup tickets to 'avoid' spending property taxes on tournament, city says
Posted on: Jan 19, 2026 14:33 IST | Posted by: Cbc
The urban center of Toronto is defending reselling its domain transfuse tickets for benefit, with the mayor's power saying the move helps "avoid" spending property taxes on a tournament that has gone over its initial budget and begins Friday.
Shirven Rezvany, a spokesperson for Mayor Olivia Chow’s office, confirmed Monday that the city was selling its share of World Cup tickets, saying that it was "one of several avenues pursued by the City to avoid spending property tax dollars."
"All host cities were provided this opportunity by FIFA in order to offset costs. Our understanding is that many, if not all, of them did [that]," he said in a written statement.
FIFA controls tickets to the games and gives host cities the opportunity to buy up a portion of ticket packages before they are made available to private ticket sellers.
Last year, the city decided to buy up the packages, which include tickets to the games, access to hospitality suites and other amenities at Toronto Stadium. Toronto’s FIFA World Cup subcommittee recommended that the city buy nearly $11 million worth of match tickets, citing it as a "key revenue generation strategy," according to a decision letter from the committee last March.
That decision drew ire from some councillors, who criticized the move as scalping. Others saw it as a big revenue opportunity.
Toronto wants to spend almost $11M on luxury box seats for the FIFA World Cup
City councillor and mayoral candidate Brad Bradford blasted Chow for the move in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter.
He claimed that Chow was "scalping" tickets and that Toronto was the only city reselling its FIFA packages for profit.
"The great majority of the tickets held by the City are being sold via the FWC26 Sponsorship Program, in order to raise net revenues to offset the cost of event hosting," Vancouver's World Cup host committee said in an emailed statement.
A 2025 report from Toronto’s auditor general noted that Toronto initially projected its FIFA costs to be $30-45 million. In 2022, that amount ballooned to over $280 million. The projected cost is now $380 million, according to the report.
Global News Perspectives
In today's interconnected world, staying informed about global events is more important than ever. ZisNews provides news coverage from multiple countries, allowing you to compare how different regions report on the same stories. This unique approach helps you gain a broader and more balanced understanding of international affairs. Whether it's politics, business, technology, or cultural trends, ZisNews ensures that you get a well-rounded perspective rather than a one-sided view. Expand your knowledge and see how global narratives unfold from different angles.
Customizable News Feed
At ZisNews, we understand that not every news story interests everyone. That's why we offer a customizable news feed, allowing you to control what you see. By adding keywords, you can filter out unwanted news, blocking articles that contain specific words in their titles or descriptions. This feature enables you to create a personalized experience where you only receive content that aligns with your interests. Register today to take full advantage of this functionality and enjoy a distraction-free news feed.
Like or Comment on News
Stay engaged with the news by interacting with stories that matter to you. Like or dislike articles based on your opinion, and share your thoughts in the comments section. Join discussions, see what others are saying, and be a part of an informed community that values meaningful conversations.
Download the Android App
For a seamless news experience, download the ZisNews Android app. Get instant notifications based on your selected categories and stay updated on breaking news. The app also allows you to block unwanted news, ensuring that you only receive content that aligns with your preferences. Stay connected anytime, anywhere.
Diverse News Categories
With ZisNews, you can explore a wide range of topics, ensuring that you never miss important developments. From Technology and Science to Sports, Politics, and Entertainment, we bring you the latest updates from the world's most trusted sources. Whether you are interested in groundbreaking scientific discoveries, tech innovations, or major sports events, our platform keeps you updated in real-time. Our carefully curated news selection helps you stay ahead, providing accurate and relevant stories tailored to diverse interests.
No comments yet.