Montréal’s decision to step away from FIFA World Cup hosting reflected something deeper: a fierce commitment to protecting its cultural rhythm, civic values, and the world-renowned jazz festival that has helped define the city.
On June 18th, 2026, Canada blew Qatar out of the water in Vancouver, BC, with a 6-0 win at the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) games. The streets were literally red and white with fans cheering for Canada or Qatar. Both flags bear the same colours. Even though it was a lively event, not all Canadians agree with FIFA’s principles for hosting these games. Montreal was originally on the roster as one of the three cities to host the 2026 games. North America won the right to host back in 2021, but soon after, Montreal declined, citing economic issues.
Montréal Says Non
Recent investigative reports by Radio-Canada’s Enquête said it wasn’t only declining due to funding issues. A bigger picture revealed, a more insidious stranglehold that the governing body puts on all host countries and their receiving cities. *Read the specific details outlined in the resource cited at the end. Montreal’s citizens, plus its thriving tourism and event industry, would pay a huge price for hosting the FIFA World Cup. Like all other host countries, event blackouts plus curtailed facility usage for almost two full years before the games were mandatory. For Montreal, what that amounted to was restricting the functionality of the F1’s Canadian Grand Prix and the International Jazz Festival. The 2021 Tourism Minister, Caroline Proulx, said, “All of these requirements were totally ridiculous.” So, she put a halt to their inclusion in the proposal.
A Festival Worth Protecting
The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal has become one of the most renowned Jazz Festivals, pushing the Montreux Jazz Festival to second place. While it has been going since 1980, in 2004, the Guinness Book of World Records deemed it the largest Jazz Music Festival globally. Even though FIFA and the Montreal Jazz Fest feature the world as their stage, the festival has become an institution. Cancelling it to hold a one-off event like the FIFA World Cup couldn’t even be considered. In its 46-year history, there was only one time before that it was cancelled. That was back in 2020 during the COVID Pandemic. The festival shuttered its doors as did most of the world. But it resumed in 2021, postponing until autumn when temperatures were safer for outdoor events.
The World’s Biggest Jazz Stage
Each year, the festival offers 650 concerts where 3000 artists from 30 different countries play over 10 days. For purveyors of the festival, two-thirds of those concerts are free. The event has grown in ideas, artists represented, and overall festival experience. The city closes off its Quartier Des Spectacles so pedestrians can roam freely while enjoying the music. This reputation and organization didn’t just take place overnight, though. It began with a highly motivated and experienced group of individuals.
How It All Began
Alain Simard, a Montreal-born businessman/producer/promoter, was booking renowned artists such as Chuck Berry, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, and Muddy Waters while working with Productions Kosmos. In 1977, he branched off to join forces with André Ménard and Denyse McCann. They founded L’Équipe Spectra. Soon afterwards, with the help of funding from CBC’s Alain de Grosbois, the team brought together the first Montreal Jazz Festival on May 10th, 1980. That year, Gary Burton, Ray Charles, Chick Corea, and Vic Vogel were top bill with an attendance of 12,000. Now in 2025, the estimated numbers are over 1 million, possibly closer to 1.2 million. I wonder if they ever imagined this success.
My First Montréal Jazz Fest
For myself, I’ve travelled to Quebec often. However, 2011 was my first experience with the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Robert Plant, Prince, The B’52’s, and Diana Krall were the headliners for that year. Yet, it was the event that drew me, not the names. For a large part of my adult life, I’ve participated in jazz festivals either as a visitor or a volunteer. From 2008 to 2010, I volunteered at Vancouver’s International Jazz Festival. I was usually stationed at David Lam Park or the Vancouver Art Gallery, where many of the free concerts were hosted. The event is always highly anticipated, and the lineup of artists is long. At the time, it seemed accessible and well organized.
However, after going to Montreal’s event, I recognized how much more Vancouver’s Jazz Festival needed to grow and learn. Montreal’s festival seemed seamless in its organization and city-wide support. They offered discounted public transit, there were a plethora of volunteers, and their ecological and social initiatives were constantly evolving. For example, in 2024, it was calculated that 85% of festival-goers used sustainable transport to arrive at the site. In addition, they feature a volunteer team called “La Brigade Verte” to educate concertgoers on sorting practices. I recall they did this with ease and a smile.
This year will be my first time back since 2011, and I am excited to see how much things have changed. I am also looking forward to seeing and hearing the newer artists I’ve been listening to over the last few years. A few of my top picks are locals like Montreal’s Patrick Watson, while others are from global hot spots like Paris’ Ibraham Maalouf, London’s Kokoroko, and Los Angeles’ Kamasi Washington. However, the list of other possibilities is long, but so are summer days.
When Culture Wins
All in all, Montreal is still one of Canada’s most treasured cities for its culture, events and ability to stand by its values. It seems that standing on a platform that upholds the public’s interest as non-negotiable has become rare. But saying “non” is part of the vernacular for people steeped in the roots of France mixed with the Indigenous peoples of this land. One more reason, I said “oui” when considering my trip there.