The Canadian Soccer Association is "giving serious thought" to bidding for the '26 FIFA World Cup, according to Jim Morris of the CP. The CSA "released figures" Thursday showing the '15 FIFA Women’s World Cup and '14 U-20 Women’s World Cup created a combined $493.6M (all figures C) in economic activity. That "exceeded the preliminary projections" of $337M made in February '14. CSA President Victor Montagliani: "We have hosted every other World Cup. We have been successful at every other one we have hosted. I think it’s a natural progression for us to seriously look at bidding for the men’s World Cup.” Morris noted overall, the 52 games in this year's WWC "attracted 1,353,506 spectators for an average attendance of 26,029." Montagliani said that it is expected the '26 World Cup "would be awarded" to CONCACAF, of which Canada is a member. Besides Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Colombia "could be interested in hosting the competition" (CP, 11/5).
NO FLASH IN THE PAN: In Toronto, Benzie & Ferguson report this summer's $2.4B Pan Am Games there "finished on budget, and organizers will get their gold." Because the event "met its fiscal targets, 57 executives will be eligible for six-figure bonuses." Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Michael Coteau said that public safety and transportation "cost significantly less than what was budgeted as recently as last spring, thanks largely to good luck." Security "came in" at $185M, which is about 23% -- or $54M -- less than the $239M "estimated last spring because anticipated threats did not materialize." Transportation costs "were roughly one-third lower than planned," at $38M instead of the $61M "earmarked last spring," for a savings of $23M (TORONTO STAR, 11/6).
