FIFA World Cup 2026™ Industry Resource FAQ

Hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the largest single-sporting event ever, featuring an increase in participants from 32 to 48 teams. Vancouver is one of two Canadian host cities, alongside Toronto, hosting 7 matches at BC Place Vancouver from June 13 to July 7.

For official tournament information, visit FIFA.

Vancouver hosts 7 matches at BC Place Vancouver:

• June 13
• June 18
• June 21
• June 24
• June 26
• July 2
• July 7

For the full match schedule including teams and kick-off times, visit FIFA.

Group stage teams confirmed for Vancouver include Canada, Australia, Turkey, Qatar, New Zealand, Egypt, Switzerland, and Belgium. The July knockout matches will be determined by group stage results. 

For confirmed team and match details, visit FIFA.

The full tournament schedule—all 104 matches across 16 host cities—is available at FIFA. 

Vancouver-specific match information is also available at the Vancouver Host Committee.

Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets are available exclusively through FIFA. Advise visitors to be cautious of third-party resellers and unofficial channels. To purchase tickets or search availability, visit FIFA Tickets.

Yes. The FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver at Hastings Park (PNE grounds) offers free general access throughout the tournament, with live match broadcasts, entertainment, food, and cultural programming. Learn more about the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver.

Communities throughout Metro Vancouver and across British Columbia are also hosting free public events and watch parties throughout June and July. 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.

Demand for accommodation in Vancouver will be high during match dates. Visitors should check availability early and explore options across Metro Vancouver. To explore accommodation options in Vancouver, visit Destination Vancouver.

Absolutely. Staying outside Vancouver and travelling in for matches or events is a great way to experience more of British Columbia during the tournament. To find accommodation, transportation options, and experiences in communities across the region, visit Same Day Game Day.

Vancouver will be significantly busier than usual throughout the tournament, and especially on match days. A few things to keep in mind:

• Book travel and accommodation well in advance
• Allow extra time for all connections, including BC Ferries sailings and border crossings
• The best way to get around to FIFA World Cup 2026™ events and other destinations is to take public transit, walk, bike and roll
• Same Day Game Day is the best tool for planning trips from across the region

For ferry schedules and booking, visit BC Ferries. For regional trip planning, visit Same Day Game Day.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has assembled a dedicated cross-functional team to keep operations running smoothly throughout the tournament. YVR preparations include specialized coordination roles across airport operations, a 24/7 FIFA Coordination Desk, and enhanced multilingual support offering real-time translation in 170 languages. YVR is also working closely with airline partners and private charters to manage increased demand through careful schedule coordination.

Visitors travelling through YVR should plan ahead and allow extra time. For the latest operational updates, visit YVR.

Remind visitors to ensure their travel documents are in order before they leave home, and to allow extra time at border crossings and airports during the tournament.

For official entry requirements, border tips, and air travel guidance, direct visitors to Information for Fans and Travellers on Canada.ca.

During the tournament, take advantage of the extra public transit services available throughout Vancouver, or walk, bike, e-scooter, or use ride-hailing and taxi services. For visitors moving around the downtown core on match days, plan ahead, know your route and give yourself extra time.

For full service details and trip planning, visit TransLink’s FIFA World Cup planning page.

For information on biking and scooting to BC Place Vancouver, visit Know Before You Go.

Parking is available in downtown Vancouver, but match days will see temporary measures in place in the stadium area, including road closures and local traffic-only restrictions for vehicles. There is no vehicle parking at BC Place Vancouver and parking around the stadium will be extremely limited on match days.

Transit is the better option. For the latest match day road closure information, visit the Vancouver Host Committee.

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

General access to the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver site is free. The Amphitheatre at the PNE anchors the festival with live match viewing and concerts, featuring both ticketed shows and free first-come, first-served access for most broadcasts. For ticketed show information, visit vancouverfwc26.ca/fifa-fan-festival/entertainment.

The PNE at Hastings Park is easily reached by transit, bike, or on foot. Parking on site is very limited and transit is strongly recommended. For trip planning to the PNE, visit TransLink.

Destination BC is hosting HOME PITCH, the largest activation at the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver. Running all 28 days of the Festival, it is designed to turn global attention on British Columbia into a genuine desire to visit.

At its heart is The Field, a five-a-side soccer pitch surrounded by a 360-degree immersive projection of British Columbia’s landscapes, paired with spatial audio. Fans can play, watch, or simply take in the views as the projections move through BC’s six distinct tourism regions. The space also hosts partner events and programming throughout the tournament.

The Clubhouse invites visitors to explore British Columbia more deeply—interactive displays showcase the province’s regional diversity, landscapes, cultures, and Indigenous heritage—developed in close partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC and BC’s Host Nations.

HOME PITCH is an opportunity to introduce a global audience to what British Columbia has to offer, and to inspire the next visit.

The key message for visitors: plan ahead and use transit. Same Day Game Day is the best planning resource for accommodation and transportation options across the region.

For visitors travelling on match day:

• By transit: SkyTrain, SeaBus, and bus connections serve communities across Metro Vancouver. TransLink is running additional service throughout the tournament
• By ferry: Visitors from Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast can travel via ferry, with bus and transit connections at the terminal. Book sailings in advance
• By air: Seaplane and helicopter services connect Vancouver Island and Sea-to-Sky communities to downtown Vancouver
• By ground: Shuttle services and regional transit connections serve the Fraser Valley and Sea-to-Sky corridor

For visitors travelling from further afield, Vancouver makes an excellent anchor for a multi-day British Columbia trip—before, between, or after matches. To start planning, visit Same Day Game Day.

Yes. The tournament experience extends well beyond the stadium:

• The FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver at Hastings Park is free and open to everyone throughout the tournament, live match broadcasts, entertainment, food, and cultural programming. Visit the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver for more
• Communities across British Columbia are hosting free public watch parties, soccer-themed events, and local celebrations throughout June and July. Check local listings for events near you
• Same Day Game Day connects visitors with experiences, accommodation, and transportation across the region. Visit Same Day Game Day to explore
• Visiting Vancouver on a non-match day is a good option for visitors who want the city experience without the match day crowds

To differentiate British Columbia from other host destinations and create a consistent voice across the province, BC Tourism FC has identified three strategic advantages to guide tourism partners.

• Nature’s Force: BC’s natural environment is our key differentiator. BC offers visitors a distinctive combination of urban experiences and wilderness access that sets us apart from other host cities. Highlight how your business or organization connects visitors to BC’s natural environment — whether through activities, views, or experiences that feature our distinct landscapes.
• All Ways a Friendly: Warmth and inclusivity are BC’s signature approach to hospitality — and critical for international visitors. BC provides welcoming spaces for all visitors, regardless of team affiliation or cultural background. Emphasize your welcoming approach and highlight ways you accommodate diverse abilities, languages, and preferences.
• More in a Match: Vancouver’s matches serve as a gateway to experiences throughout the province, encouraging exploration beyond the stadium. Show how your location or offering can complement the match experience — whether before, between, or after games.

For more guidance on how to apply these positioning advantages across your communications and activations, visit the BC Tourism FC Playbook.

There are many ways to get involved — from decorating with country flags and soccer themes to hosting public viewing events and creating community-focused activations. The Vancouver Host Committee’s Community Activation Playbook is the go-to guide for businesses and organizations looking to celebrate creatively while staying onside with FIFA’s brand rules, including what can and cannot be used without formal licensing or an official partnership.

For ideas, rules, and practical guidance, explore the Community Activation Playbook.

British Columbia’s natural environment is extraordinary, and its parks and nature are cherished by residents, visitors, and First Nations communities alike. When exploring BC’s natural spaces, visitors are encouraged to follow responsible principles: respect the land and its cultural values, follow Leave No Trace, give wildlife space, and leave everything as they found it.

It’s also worth remembering that BC’s natural spaces are First Nations territories. Visitors are guests on these lands and should approach them with the same respect they bring to any cultural experience.

For full guidance on visiting BC Parks responsibly, visit BC Parks — Responsible Recreation.