Burlington bets £160,000 on FIFA Caravan to boost its 2026 World Cup profile
Burlington City Council has approved a £160,000 bid to host the FIFA Caravan, a travelling event linked to the 2026 World Cup. The decision came despite uncertainty over whether the city would be selected as a stop. Councillors backed the move, hoping it would raise Burlington’s profile in the world news.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, with Canada competing in Group B. Toronto and Vancouver have already been confirmed as host cities, but smaller communities like Burlington are vying for a chance to join the breaking news celebrations through the Caravan programme.
The proposal was brought before the council as an urgent matter. If chosen, Burlington would receive a visit from the FIFA Caravan, offering interactive activities, photo opportunities, and fan engagement ahead of the tournament. However, if the bid fails, the £160,000 will not be refunded.
Councillor Angelo Bentivegna argued in favour of the spending, claiming it would 'put Burlington on the map.' The council ultimately voted to proceed, using surplus funds from the 2025 budget. Officials believed the city had a strong chance of being selected, partly because Hamilton had shown little interest in hosting.
The FIFA Caravan is separate from the main tournament hosting duties, which have already been assigned to Toronto and Vancouver. Toronto will host Canada’s opening match, while Vancouver will also feature as a key venue. Burlington’s bid focuses solely on the promotional event, which travels to selected cities in the lead-up to the World Cup.
The council’s decision commits £160,000 from next year’s surplus to the FIFA Caravan bid. If successful, Burlington will host a promotional event before the 2026 World Cup. The outcome will determine whether the city recoups its investment or loses the funds entirely.
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