Destination BC launches Same Day Game Day to help visitors travel to FIFA World Cup 26™ matches from communities across BC
Destination BC has launched Same Day Game Day, a coordinated program that makes it easier for visitors to attend FIFA World Cup 26™ matches at BC Place in Vancouver while staying in nearby communities.
The FIFA World Cup 26™ represents an unprecedented opportunity for BC’s tourism and hospitality sector. As one of only two Canadian provinces hosting matches, BC will be centre stage for one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, reaching more than five billion viewers globally and expected to drive over one million additional visitors to the province between 2026 and 2030. The event is projected to generate $1 billion in incremental tourism revenue for BC over that period.
Same Day Game Day is one of the ways Destination BC is helping industry and communities prepare to capture that opportunity, ensuring the benefits of increased visitation extend well beyond Vancouver.
Expanding where visitors stay for FIFA World Cup 26™
With Vancouver as the Host City and a primary international arrival point, Same Day Game Day positions the city as a gateway to broader travel across BC.
The program highlights destinations within approximately one to two hours of BC Place, giving visitors flexible options to stay outside Vancouver and travel into the city for match day.
Visitors can stay in communities such as Nanaimo, Victoria, Squamish, the Sunshine Coast, Whistler, Chilliwack, and Bowen Island, then travel to BC Place using coordinated transportation options – including ferries, seaplanes, and ground transportation – returning the same day.
For travellers searching where to stay near Vancouver for FIFA World Cup 26™, the program provides curated options that combine match access with distinctive local experiences.
This approach also supports a more balanced and seamless experience for both visitors and residents. By encouraging travel across nearby communities and providing flexible options for where to stay, Same Day Game Day helps visitors move throughout the region more easily, enhancing the overall experience while supporting vibrant, well-managed host city operations in Vancouver.
Making match day travel simple and seamless
Developed in collaboration with tourism and transportation partners, Same Day Game Day brings together travel options and planning resources in one place. In Nanaimo, for example, visitors can stay in the Island city, fly to Vancouver for match day on SeaAir, and return to Nanaimo that night on a Hullo ferry.
The program also promotes pre- and post-match travel ideas, encouraging visitors to extend their stay and explore more of BC, turning a single match into a broader, multi-day travel experience.
What this means for BC’s tourism industry
Same Day Game Day directly supports tourism businesses in BC by creating new opportunities to attract and host FIFA World Cup 26™ visitors.
By encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore beyond Vancouver, the program helps:
- Drive overnight stays in surrounding communities
- Increase visitor spending across regions
- Showcase local experiences, attractions, and businesses
- Support geographic dispersion of visitation
Participating destinations are supported through dedicated campaign pages and paid marketing efforts in key markets, featuring accommodations, experiences, and travel planning information aligned to match-day travel, providing industry partners with increased visibility during a period of heightened global interest.
Part of a coordinated, province-wide strategy
Same Day Game Day is part of a broader, coordinated approach to FIFA World Cup 26™ readiness through the BC Tourism FC (British Columbia Tourism Football Club), a province-wide consortium led by Destination BC.
Working in partnership with Destination Vancouver, Indigenous Tourism BC, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport, the BC Destination Management Organization Association (BCDMOA), and the City of Vancouver, BC Tourism FC is focused on:
- Increasing destination awareness and visitation
- Boosting geographic and seasonal dispersion
- Ensuring economic and cultural benefits for communities across BC
Through global marketing, travel trade development, transportation collaboration, and visitor servicing, this work leverages Vancouver’s global visibility to drive visitation across the province.
Supporting a lasting legacy for BC
Beyond the tournament itself, Same Day Game Day helps position BC to convert global attention into long-term tourism growth.
By showcasing diverse communities, Indigenous cultures, and world-class experiences across the province, the program supports a lasting legacy for BC’s visitor economy—one that extends well beyond FIFA World Cup 26™.
Now live and growing ahead of 2026
Same Day Game Day is now live on SuperNaturalBC.com, with additional destinations, itineraries, and transportation partners continuing to be added in the lead-up to FIFA World Cup 26™.
Learn more
