With fewer than 40 days to go until FIFA World Cup 2026™ kicks off, Vancouver’s Host Committee and delivery partners are sharing key information to help visitors, residents and businesses prepare for the world’s biggest sporting event.
On June 13, BC Place Vancouver will host its first of seven matches, with Australia facing Türkiye. Across all seven match days, an estimated 350,000 spectators are anticipated to pass through downtown Vancouver to visit the stadium and experience the excitement on the pitch. Beyond the stadium, FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver opens June 11 at Hastings Park, welcoming up to 25,000 visitors at any given time over 28 days of programming, live matches, music and cultural experiences.
To help everyone plan ahead, Vancouver’s Host Committee launched its FIFA World Cup 2026 Know Before You Go campaign. Essential information for match-goers, festival attendees and residents will be shared and available online, supporting a safe, enjoyable tournament experience, while introducing visitors from around the world to Vancouver as an inclusive, welcoming and world-class host city.
Getting around Vancouver
During the busy tournament period, we encourage people to take advantage of the extra public transit services that will be available throughout the duration of the tournament, or walk, bike, e-scooter or use ride-hailing and taxi services.
For visitors and residents moving around the downtown core on match days, plan ahead, know your route and give yourself extra time. Downtown is open and on match days there will be temporary measures in place in the stadium area, including road closures and local traffic-only restrictions for vehicles.
Our goal is to ensure that visitors to BC Place Vancouver can travel through the stadium area smoothly and safely, while minimizing the impact on residents and businesses’ day-to-day activities.
For information on how to get around Vancouver, visit www.vancouverfwc26.ca/kbyg. For the latest match day road closures, visit www.vancouverfwc26.ca/road-closures
Venues and experiences
From the electric atmosphere inside BC Place Vancouver to the vibrant celebrations at FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver, unforgettable experiences will be found across the city. Arrive early, plan ahead and review venue guidelines in advance, including permitted and non-permitted items, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
- Match Day Spectator Routes: On the seven Vancouver match days, spectators are encouraged to start their experience at Main Street–Science World Station and enjoy the vibrant route to the stadium with activations and activities along the way. Volunteers, dressing and wayfinding will support guiding fans from other areas of the city to the Spectator Route, creating an unforgettable welcome to the FIFA World Cup 2026 experience. Clearly marked game trails will help visitors navigate efficiently to the stadium gates. Smooth access to the match for ticketholders is the top priority, followed by easy to navigate routes back into the city, so fans can continue enjoying everything Vancouver has to offer after the final whistle.
- BC Place Vancouver: BC Place Vancouver is one of the most accessible and distinctive FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums. Located in the heart of downtown and overlooking False Creek, the iconic venue offers fans an exceptional urban match day experience. Inside the ticketed perimeter, spectators can expect interactive fan experiences, opportunities to purchase official FIFA World Cup 2026 merchandise, and memorable photo moments, all within a stadium that reflects Vancouver’s unique character. Ticketholders will get further information and updates through the FIFA Mobile Tickets App.
- FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver: Outside of BC Place Vancouver, the free FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver will be the official hub for the FIFA World Cup 2026 experience and Vancouver’s largest watch party. Over 28 days, fans will enjoy live broadcasts of matches, performances by global and Canadian artists including Indigenous artists, and one of the city’s biggest live music programs in years. The Amphitheatre at the PNE will anchor the festival with live match viewing and concerts, featuring both ticketed shows and free first come, first served access for most broadcasts, while the free Park Stage will host 60+ live performances and match screenings across the grounds. Tickets are available here: www.vancouverfwc26.ca/fifa-fan-festival/entertainment
- Media accreditation update: Members of the media, news outlets and content creators can now apply for media accreditation at the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver. Learn more at www.vancouverfwc26.ca/media-hub/accreditation
