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FIFA World Cup 2026™ — Host City Guide

Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaVancouver

Seven matches. Two Canada home games. Mountains, ocean, and one of the most beautiful downtown stadiums in the tournament. Here's everything you need.

7Matches
~54,500Capacity
Jun 13First Kickoff
Jul 7Last Match
The Venue

BC Place — Vancouver Stadium

BC Place sits in downtown Vancouver, steps from False Creek and the Yaletown neighbourhood. With a retractable roof, a remarkable mountain backdrop, and a downtown location that makes it genuinely walkable from much of the city, it's one of the best-located venues in the entire tournament. Vancouver is the busiest Canadian host city with seven matches — more than Toronto.

FIFA Name
Vancouver Stadium
Official tournament designation
Address
777 Pacific Blvd
Vancouver, BC V6B 4Y8
Capacity
~54,500
Expanded configuration for the tournament
Roof
Retractable
Open on clear days — stunning mountain views
⚠️
Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain Station is CLOSED on all match days. Use Main Street–Science World Station (Expo Line) instead. This is not a minor inconvenience — it is the official matchday transit plan. Plan your route accordingly before you travel.
🚶
The Last Mile fan walk. The official pre-match experience starts at Main Street–Science World SkyTrain Station and follows the False Creek waterfront to BC Place — approximately a 20-minute walk along one of Vancouver's most scenic routes. Starts 2 hours before kickoff. Match ticket holders only.
🇨🇦
No US visa required for Vancouver. Visitors attending only Vancouver matches need a Canadian eTA — not a US visa. Apply at eta.gc.ca well before travel. If you're also attending US host city matches, apply for the relevant US documentation separately.
🎒
Clear bags only. Max 12"×6"×12". No backpacks. FIFA's security policy at BC Place is stricter than regular Whitecaps or BC Lions game policy. Check FIFA.com for the full guidelines before matchday.
Match Schedule

7 Matches in Vancouver

Vancouver hosts five group stage matches, one Round of 32, and one Round of 16 — making it Canada's busiest World Cup venue. All times Pacific. Canada plays twice here, including a home match against Switzerland on June 24.

Canada match
Group Stage
Knockout rounds
13June
Australia vs. Türkiye
Group D · 9:00 PM PT (midnight ET) · Vancouver Stadium
Group D
18June
🍁 Canada vs. Qatar
Group B · 3:00 PM PT (6 PM ET) · Vancouver Stadium
Canada · Group B
21June
New Zealand vs. Egypt
Group D · 6:00 PM PT (9 PM ET) · Vancouver Stadium
Group D
24June
🍁 Canada vs. Switzerland
Group B · 12:00 PM PT (3 PM ET) · Vancouver Stadium
Canada · Group B
26June
New Zealand vs. Belgium
Group D · 8:00 PM PT (11 PM ET) · Vancouver Stadium
Group D
2July
Round of 32 — TBD vs. TBD
Round of 32 · 8:00 PM PT (11 PM ET) · Vancouver Stadium
Round of 32
7July
Round of 16 — TBD vs. TBD
Round of 16 · 1:00 PM PT (4 PM ET) · Vancouver Stadium
Round of 16
Canada plays twice in Vancouver — including the emotionally loaded Group B match against Switzerland on June 24. The two Canada home games here will be the loudest matches BC Place has ever hosted.
Getting There

Transportation

BC Place is downtown Vancouver — one of the most walkable and transit-accessible venues in the entire tournament. The SkyTrain is your primary option. Note that Stadium-Chinatown Station is closed on match days; use Main Street–Science World instead.

🚇
SkyTrain — Expo Line
Take the Expo Line to Main Street–Science World Station. Stadium-Chinatown Station is officially closed on all match days — do not attempt to use it. From Main Street–Science World, join The Last Mile fan walk (2 hours before kickoff) or take a short bus or walk to BC Place. Get a Compass Card at YVR or any SkyTrain station.
~$3.45–$5.50 depending on zones · Compass Card recommended
🚶
Walking from Downtown
If you're staying in Yaletown, Gastown, or the West End, BC Place is genuinely walkable — 10–20 minutes from most downtown hotels. Granville Street becomes a pedestrian zone for the duration of the tournament, running between Georgia and Davie. On fine Vancouver summer evenings, walking is simply the best way to arrive.
Free · Best option if staying downtown
🚲
Mobi Bikeshare
Vancouver's Mobi bikeshare network has stations throughout downtown and near BC Place. Expanded bike lanes around the False Creek area make cycling a practical and enjoyable matchday option from much of central Vancouver. Day passes and seasonal memberships available via the Mobi app.
$7 day pass / $25 monthly via Mobi app
🚗
Driving
Pacific Boulevard near BC Place will have significant restrictions on match days — sections are closed to create expanded pedestrian areas. Driving downtown on match days is strongly discouraged. If driving from outside the city, park at a SkyTrain station and ride in. TransLink's trip planner at translink.ca covers all matchday service updates.
Not recommended on match days
Compass Card: Vancouver's transit smart card, accepted on all SkyTrain, bus, SeaBus, and West Coast Express routes. Pick one up at YVR Airport (SkyTrain station, departures level) on arrival. The tap-in/tap-out system is straightforward and covers every transit mode you'll need in the city.
From YVR Airport
Take the Canada Line SkyTrain from YVR International directly to downtown Vancouver. Transfer at Waterfront or Broadway-City Hall to the Expo Line, then ride to Main Street–Science World for the stadium. Total journey approximately 40–50 minutes. The Canada Line runs to Waterfront Station in around 25 minutes.
The Last Mile Fan Walk
The official pre-match fan walk begins at Main Street–Science World SkyTrain Station and follows the False Creek waterfront path to BC Place. Approximately 2km along one of Vancouver's most scenic urban trails. Only accessible to match ticket holders. Starts 2 hours before kickoff — this is the recommended arrival route for all fans using transit.
Where to Stay

Vancouver Neighborhoods

Vancouver is unusually compact for a major city — most of the central neighborhoods are within 30 minutes of BC Place on foot or by transit. The city is at its best in summer: mountains, ocean, and a downtown that's genuinely enjoyable to be in.

Yaletown
Closest to the stadium — walkable & vibrant
Yaletown is the neighborhood immediately adjacent to BC Place — the pre-match energy on Helmcken Plaza will center here on every matchday. Converted warehouse buildings, excellent restaurants, and a lively bar scene. Earls Kitchen + Bar and Yaletown Brewing Company will both have dedicated World Cup programming. Book early.
10 min walk to BC PlacePre-match hub for Helmcken Plaza events
Gastown
Historic & atmospheric — cobblestones, great restaurants
Vancouver's oldest neighborhood and one of its most distinctive — cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture, and the famous steam clock. A short walk or SkyTrain ride from BC Place. Some of the best restaurant recommendations for the city are in Gastown: Tojo's and other acclaimed dining options are within the broader area.
20–25 min walk to BC PlaceBest restaurant density near downtown
West End / English Bay
Beach, Stanley Park — the outdoor Vancouver experience
The West End sits between downtown and Stanley Park — English Bay beach is at your door. One of the most walkable neighborhoods in Canada, with a dense restaurant and café scene on Davie and Robson Streets. For visitors who want to experience Vancouver's outdoor identity between matches, this is the right base.
20–30 min walk to BC PlaceStanley Park & English Bay beach
Chinatown
Cultural depth — Canada's largest Chinatown
Canada's largest Chinatown, adjacent to BC Place, is a neighborhood experiencing significant revitalization alongside its deep historical roots. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and the Chinese Canadian Museum are both here. Note that the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain Station is closed on match days — use the Main Street station instead.
15 min walk to BC PlaceStadium-Chinatown SkyTrain CLOSED match days
Kitsilano
Beach town — laid-back, locals' favourite
Across False Creek from downtown, Kitsilano is Vancouver's most beloved residential neighborhood — Kits Beach, excellent cafés, and a relaxed pace. A 20-minute bus or bike ride from BC Place. If you want to experience Vancouver the way locals do rather than as a tourist corridor, Kits delivers that. Quieter accommodation options at better value than Yaletown.
20–30 min to BC Place by transitKits Beach + café culture
Downtown Core
Central, hotel-dense — practical base
The downtown hotel corridor along Georgia Street and Burrard gives you every major hotel chain and easy SkyTrain access. Granville Street between Georgia and Davie becomes a pedestrian zone for the entire tournament — this stretch will be the city's primary World Cup social corridor throughout June and July.
15–20 min walk to BC PlaceGranville Street pedestrian zone all tournament
Food & Drink

Where to Eat

Vancouver has one of the most acclaimed food scenes in Canada — particularly for Pacific seafood and Japanese cuisine, with strong Pacific Rim influences throughout. Eat in the city before you head to BC Place; the stadium food is unremarkable compared to what the surrounding neighbourhoods offer.

Near the Stadium — Yaletown & Surrounds
World Cup Fan Bar · Yaletown
Earls Kitchen + Bar — Pitchside Patio
Earls is running a dedicated Pitchside Patio throughout the tournament with screens visible from nearly every angle. One of the most reliable pre-match options near BC Place — walk there from Yaletown, eat well, then walk to the stadium. Confirmed open for all 7 match days.
Yaletown$$World Cup programming Jun 11–Jul 19
Craft Beer · Yaletown
Yaletown Brewing Company — Backyard FC
Yaletown Brewing is opening Backyard FC — a dedicated outdoor World Cup space with burgers, pizza, picnic tables, cold pints, and live match viewing. Running June 11 to July 19. The kind of pre-match atmosphere that will be full hours before kickoff on Canada days — arrive early.
Yaletown$–$$Best outdoor fan atmosphere
Sports Bar · Near BC Place
Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill
One of Vancouver's largest and most popular sports bars, a short walk from BC Place. Multiple screens, solid pub food, and a crowd that takes its sports seriously. The most accessible option for fans who want a post-match drink near the stadium without going far. Book ahead for Canada matches.
Near BC Place$$Closest major sports bar
Indigenous · BC Place Concession
Salmon n' Bannock
Vancouver's only Indigenous restaurant is serving its signature smoked sockeye salmon burgers on bannock at BC Place concessions during the tournament. It's a rare instance where stadium food is genuinely worth having — Salmon n' Bannock's house-smoked sockeye is exceptional. Worth seeking out inside the ground.
Inside BC Place$$Only Indigenous restaurant in city
Around the City
Japanese · Gastown Area
Tojo's Restaurant
Chef Hidekazu Tojo is credited as one of the inventors of the California roll. His eponymous restaurant on West Broadway is considered one of the finest Japanese restaurants in North America — omakase dining with Pacific seafood at the centre. A special occasion restaurant, and a genuinely world-class one. Book well in advance.
West Broadway$$$Iconic · Book ahead
Granville Island
Granville Island Public Market
One of the great public markets in North America — fresh seafood, artisan bread, local produce, prepared food, and craft stalls in a converted industrial space under the Granville Bridge. Reach it by False Creek ferry (Aquabus) from the downtown waterfront. A half-day visit pairs well with any non-matchday afternoon.
Granville Island$–$$Best market in the city
Vancouver's Pacific seafood — Dungeness crab, sockeye salmon, spot prawns — is some of the finest in the world and available throughout the city at every price point. Make at least one meal of it while you're here.
Fan Events

Fan Zones & Festivals

Vancouver's official fan programming is anchored by the FIFA Fan Festival™ at Hastings Park, a 25,000-capacity free event running the full duration of the tournament. The city also maintains a Granville Street pedestrian zone and multiple neighbourhood events throughout June and July.

01
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver — Hastings Park (PNE Grounds)
June 11 – July 19, 2026 · 28 days
The official FIFA Fan Festival is set at the historic PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) grounds at Hastings Park — a community fairground with over a century of history on Vancouver's east side. The centrepiece is a brand-new $104 million PNE Amphitheatre with 10,000 total capacity (6,000 covered seats + 4,000 open-air). General admission floor holds 2,600 people per match on a first-come, first-served basis. Premium reserved seating is available. The festival runs a full 28-night concert series alongside live match screenings, food vendors, and cultural programming. Free general admission — premium seating available for purchase. From downtown, take the Expo Line SkyTrain to Hastings Street or bus 14/16 east. Total journey approximately 20–25 minutes from downtown.
Free general admission · Jun 11–Jul 19 · 28 days
02
Granville Street Pedestrian Zone
June 11 – July 19, 2026 (full tournament)
Granville Street between Georgia and Davie becomes a pedestrian zone for the entire duration of the tournament — the city's primary World Cup social corridor. Bars, restaurants, and outdoor activations line the street. The natural gathering point for fans heading to and from BC Place, particularly on evening match days. No specific event schedule required — just be on Granville Street around any significant kickoff time.
Open access · Full tournament duration
03
Canada Soccer House — The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Canada match dates
The official Canada Soccer viewing hub is at The Shipyards in North Vancouver, across Burrard Inlet from downtown. Live match screenings, Canadian music, and food — the dedicated space for Canadian national team fans during the tournament. Reach it via SeaBus from Waterfront Station (15 minutes across the inlet) for a distinctly Vancouver experience.
Canada match days · SeaBus from Waterfront Station
04
Granville Island Viewing Zone
Throughout the tournament (1,000 seats, 92 of 104 matches)
Granville Island has a dedicated World Cup viewing zone showing 92 of the tournament's 104 matches with 1,000 seats. Combine it with a visit to the Public Market — eat at the market, then watch the match. Reach it by Aquabus False Creek ferry from the downtown waterfront (a 5-minute crossing and one of Vancouver's best small experiences).
1,000 seats · 92 matches shown · Aquabus from downtown
Before You Go

Essential Tips

Ten things that will make your Vancouver World Cup experience significantly better.

01
Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain Is Closed
This is the single most important logistics fact about matchdays in Vancouver. The Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain Station is closed on all match days. Use Main Street–Science World Station (Expo Line) and walk the False Creek waterfront to the stadium. Do not show up at Stadium-Chinatown expecting service.
02
Get a Compass Card at the Airport
Pick up a Compass Card at YVR SkyTrain station on arrival. It covers all TransLink services — SkyTrain, buses, SeaBus — with a single tap. Saves you time at ticket machines on match days when queues will be long.
03
Book Canada Match Accommodation Very Early
Canada plays at BC Place on June 18 and June 24. Both dates will produce the biggest accommodation demand Vancouver has ever seen. Yaletown and downtown hotels for those weeks are going fast. Book now if you haven't already.
04
Walk or Bike When You Can
Vancouver is a genuinely walkable and cycleable city for most of what World Cup visitors will want to do. The False Creek Seawall, the Granville pedestrian zone, Gastown, and Chinatown are all connected on foot. Use Mobi bikeshare for slightly longer trips. Save transit for when you're heading to Hastings Park or beyond.
05
Do The Last Mile Fan Walk
The official fan walk from Main Street–Science World to BC Place along the False Creek waterfront is one of the genuine highlights of watching a match in Vancouver. The views are exceptional. Start at least 90 minutes before kickoff to give yourself time to enjoy it properly.
06
You Don't Need a US Visa for Vancouver
International visitors attending only Vancouver matches need a Canadian eTA, not a US visa. Apply at eta.gc.ca before travel. If combining Vancouver with US host city matches, you'll need appropriate US documentation separately — start that process well in advance.
07
Late Kickoffs on the West Coast
Several Vancouver matches have late Pacific kickoffs that are midnight or later ET. The Australia vs. Türkiye match (June 13) kicks off at 9 PM PT. For fans traveling from eastern time zones, these late evening matches will feel very different than the same match elsewhere. Plan transit home before you go in.
08
Visit Granville Island
Granville Island is one of the best half-day experiences in Canada — Public Market, artisan studios, restaurants, and a craft brewery, all under the Granville Bridge. Take the Aquabus False Creek ferry from the downtown waterfront. On any non-matchday afternoon, this is where to spend it.
09
Pacific Seafood Is the Thing to Eat
Dungeness crab, sockeye salmon, BC spot prawns, and Pacific oysters are available throughout the city at every price point. At least one meal should involve local seafood from a proper source — whether it's Granville Island, Gastown, or Kitsilano. This is what Vancouver does better than almost anywhere on Earth.
10
Check vancouverfwc26.ca for Updates
Road closures, transit changes, fan festival schedules, and security protocols are all updated at vancouverfwc26.ca. Always check this alongside FIFA.com before any matchday — particularly for Pacific Boulevard and Cambie Bridge closures which will affect your route to the stadium.
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