FIFA World Cup 26™

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FIFA World Cup 2026™ Industry Resource

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How to Use This Resource

 

This resource is for British Columbia’s tourism industry—operators, frontline staff, and visitor services teams—helping guests navigate the FIFA World Cup 2026™ this summer. It covers the key information you’ll need, with links to official partner sources for the details that continue to evolve.

Tournament information may change. Always confirm the latest information through the official websites provided on this page.  

On this page:

  • Tournament overview
  • Guidance for visitors
  • Same Day Game Day
  • Celebrating across BC
  • Essential information
  • FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver
  • Language Guidance
  • Official resources

For more visitor questions, visit our detailed Frequently Asked Questions page.

Last updated: May 11, 2026

Tournament Overview & Key Facts

FIFA World Cup 2026™ takes place June 11–July 19, 2026, across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Vancouver is one of two Canadian host cities; 7 matches are hosted at BC Place Vancouver from June 13 to July 7.
FIFA World Cup 2026™ is the largest tournament in the event's history, with 48 teams and 104 matches.
Canada's Men's National Team plays two of its group stage matches in Vancouver — June 18 vs. Qatar and June 24 vs. Switzerland.
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver opens June 11 at Hastings Park, welcoming up to 25,000 visitors over 28 days of programming, live matches, music and cultural experiences.
An estimated 350,000 spectators are anticipated to pass through downtown Vancouver.

Guidance for Visitors

Here’s what’s most useful to know when speaking to guests.

Plan ahead. The tournament will bring significantly higher visitor volumes across Metro Vancouver and other parts of British Columbia. Things will look and feel different from a typical summer—transit, ferries, accommodation, and popular attractions will all be busier than usual. Encourage visitors to research and book well before they travel and check out the Vancouver Host Committee’s Know Before You Go information, which will be regularly updated during the tournament.

Book accommodation NOW. Metro Vancouver will be welcoming many out-of-town guests during the tournament. Visitors who haven’t booked should consider nearby communities with good transit connections — more options, easier access. Direct them to Same Day Game Day.

Give yourself extra time on match days. On match days, plan ahead, know your route and give yourself extra time. Downtown Vancouver will be busy, and there will be access changes in the stadium area, including road closures and local traffic-only restrictions for vehicles.

Transit is the way to get around Vancouver. During the tournament, take advantage of the extra public transit services available, or walk, bike, e-scooter, or use ride-hailing and taxi services. Visit TransLink’s FIFA World Cup planning page.

Same Day Game Day

 

For visitors looking to take in the tournament while exploring more of British Columbia, Same Day Game Day connects them with accommodation, transportation options, and experiences in communities across the region, whether they’re travelling into Vancouver for a match or making a BC destination their home base.

Share it directly with visitors who are still planning their trip.

Learn more about Same Day Game Day

Celebrating Across BC

The tournament energy extends well beyond Vancouver. Restaurants, bars, and venues across British Columbia are hosting community events, public match viewings and soccer-themed activities throughout the tournament.

This includes $1.7 million in funding from the Province of BC to 32 municipalities, regional districts and First Nations to host free local public events in celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

For events and watch parties across British Columbia during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, visit Super, Natural British Columbia’s Festivals & Events page. 

For events and watch parties in Vancouver during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, see Destination Vancouver’s World Cup event calendar.

Check local community listings and event calendars for events in your area.

Essential Information

Accommodation

Vancouver accommodation is limited for tournament dates. Visitors should book in advance and consider staying in nearby communities.
See Vancouver Hotels

Transportation Options

Super, Natural British Columbia’s Same Day Game Day helps you plan easy, same‑day trips to and from BC Place Vancouver, whether staying in Metro Vancouver or a bit farther out. Visitors can enjoy an easy and scenic commute by bus, train, ferry, or even helicopter or seaplane.
Same Day Game Day

Tickets

Official match tickets are available exclusively through FIFA. Direct visitors with questions about availability, purchases, or issues to FIFA's official channels.
Learn more about FIFA World Cup 2026™ Tickets

Getting Around Vancouver

During the tournament, extra public transit services will be available throughout Vancouver. The best way to get to BC Place Vancouver on match days is by transit — or walk, bike, e-scooter, or use ride-hailing and taxi services. On match days, visitors with tickets should make their way to Main Street–Science World Station — the official starting point for the Match Day Spectator Route to BC Place.
Visit TransLink

Flying To Vancouver

YVR will be busier than usual throughout the tournament. Visitors should allow extra time for check-in, security, and connections.
Plan Ahead with YVR

Ferry to Vancouver

BC Ferries will be busier than usual throughout the tournament. Visitors should book travel in advance and allow extra time for connections.
Plan Ahead with BC Ferries

Entering Canada

International visitors travelling to Canada for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ should check entry requirements, travel documents, and border crossing information before they travel. Land border crossings will be busier than usual so allow extra time.
Learn more from the Government of Canada’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ page

Visitor Tips for British Columbia

For practical visitor information on travelling in British Columbia, including local services, safety tips, and getting around, visit Know Before You Go on Destination BC's Super, Natural British Columbia site.
Know Before You Go

FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver 

FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver is the city’s official destination to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live.

Across 28 days, more than 70 matches will be broadcast live on screens throughout the Festival grounds with food, beverages and live music and entertainment from Canadian and global artists throughout the grounds. The Festival will be free to enter with a variety of free attractions, concerts and match viewing opportunities or you can purchase premium tickets.

Destination BC’s HOME PITCH, the largest activation at the Festival, offers an immersive 360-degree experience showcasing British Columbia’s six regions, landscapes, and Indigenous cultures, developed in partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC and BC’s Host Nations.

 

Visit FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver to Learn More

KEY TERMS

BC Tourism FC Playbook

Learn more FIFA World Cup 2026 terms and guidelines on our BC Tourism FC Playbook.
Read the Playbook

FIFA World Cup 2026™

The official name of the tournament is the FIFA World Cup 2026™ — use this in written materials on first reference.

Match and Match Days

A “match” is the official term for a game, and a “match day” is when an official FIFA World Cup 2026™ match takes place.

Soccer vs Football

The world’s most popular sport is known as football in most countries and soccer in Canada and the United States. Both terms refer to the same game.

OFFICIAL RESOURCES

For the latest information on any topic, go directly to the official sources.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Vancouver

Official host city information, guide to the matches, and Know Before You Go resources for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Vancouver.
Learn more

Same Day Game Day

Trip planning, accommodation, and transportation for visitors exploring BC during the tournament.
Learn more

Destination Vancouver

Visitor information, events, and things to do in Vancouver during the FIFA World Cup.
Learn more

TransLink’s Taking Transit to the FIFA World Cup 2026

Service changes, match day travel guide, and trip planning.
Learn more

BC Ferries

Schedules, booking, and capacity information.
Learn more

YVR

Airport information and ground transportation.
Learn more

Government of Canada: Information for Fans and Travellers

Entry requirements, travel documents, border crossing tips, and air travel guidance for visitors coming to Canada for the FIFA World Cup 2026™
Learn more

FIFA Official tournament site

Match schedule, tickets, teams, and official news.
Learn more

Community Activation Playbook

The Vancouver Host Committee’s brand and terminology guidance for businesses and communities.
Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

For more answers to common visitor questions, visit our frequently asked questions.

FIFA World Cup 2026™ Industry Resource FAQ

Learn More

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