The Big Story Will Canada's healthcare system survive the World Cup?
Jan 20, 2026
Dr. Catherine Varner, an emergency physician and deputy editor at the Canadian Medical Association Journal, dives deep into the looming healthcare challenges posed by the World Cup in Canada. She highlights potential spikes in emergency room visits from alcohol-related incidents, trauma, and infectious diseases. Dr. Varner also emphasizes the critical gaps in national health response and hospital capacity, warning of staff shortages and the need for better planning in advance of mass gatherings. The conversation underscores the urgent need to enhance Canada's healthcare system to face upcoming surges.
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Mass Gatherings Drive Predictable Health Spikes
- Mass gatherings like the World Cup predictably increase alcohol, substance and trauma-related ED visits.
- Large events also prolong infectious disease risks and weather-related presentations beyond the event dates.
No Surge Space During The World Series
- During the World Series shifts I worked, there was virtually no surge capacity to decant admitted patients from the ED.
- Moving admitted, oxygen-dependent or elderly patients was extremely difficult when hospital beds were full.
City Streets, Not Stadiums, Flood EDs
- In downtown shifts during sports events we saw mainly alcohol, substance and trauma cases arriving from bars and streets.
- These cases commonly present outside the stadiums, flooding city hospitals rather than event medical tents.