Vancouver's World Cup organizers have big plans for surveillance camera network

Expect more remotely monitored, closed circuit TV cameras than Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Vancouver city hall plans to deploy up to 200 new remotely monitored surveillance cameras and integrate as many as 1,000 existing cameras to fulfill FIFA security requirements for the 2026 World Cup.

That is according to a call for companies to bid on contracts under a “Digital Infrastructure and innovation for FIFA Games” program.

“Provide modern public surveillance cameras designed for effective identification of incidents and monitoring of crowd movements and behaviour,” reads the Jan. 23 request for proposals. “A secure, centralized platform for live viewing, recording, and archival footage.”

The system would comply with Canadian privacy laws and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and vendors be responsible for hardware procurement, installation, configuration and integration with the city’s existing systems.

“The city will provide access to poles, buildings, or other suitable mounting locations, subject to permits and safety guidelines. Vendors may also propose to use their own or third-party rooftop sites, cell towers, or similar infrastructure, as appropriate.”

It is not mandatory, but the city indicated it is welcome to proposals for artificial intelligence-assisted “threat detection or advanced analytics.”

The overall number of cameras could exceed the 900 Honeywell supplied for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, which Queen’s University sociology Prof. David Lyon dubbed the “surveillance Games.” Honeywell spent at least $30.5 million and subcontracted some of the work to American military contractor Science Applications International Corporation.

Vancouver 2010 had a $900 million, taxpayer-funded security budget. The all-in cost of securing Vancouver and Toronto in June and July 2026 has not been announced. One of the biggest critics of Vancouver 2010 was civil liberties activist David Eby, who is now British Columbia’s premier.

Under the same program, the city is seeking proposals for other turnkey solutions such as public wifi, fibre Internet and IT support.

“The city requires end-to-end service, including design, deployment, management, support, as well as post-event teardown or removal of all temporary infrastructure.”

City hall said it would give successful bidders a chance to become tier one “Host City Supporters,” under a new FIFA local sponsorship program, “providing enhanced brand visibility across B.C. and Yukon.”

Deadline for bids is Feb. 25.

B.C. Place Stadium is scheduled to host seven matches between June 13 and July 7, 2026. A Fan Festival will operate throughout the 39-day, 16-city tournament at the PNE grounds on Hastings Park. The cost to taxpayers for hosting FIFA 26 in Vancouver could be as high as $581 million.