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Where to Eat, Play, and Stay During the 2026 Vancouver World Cup Matches
Vancouver, Canada, is one of only two cities in Canada of the 16 hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While that could be because Canada doesn’t have as many cities with facilities capable of hosting such a big event, we like to think it’s because you won’t find a better place in Canada for hosting […]
Vancouver, Canada, is one of only two cities in Canada of the 16 hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While that could be because Canada doesn’t have as many cities with facilities capable of hosting such a big event, we like to think it’s because you won’t find a better place in Canada for hosting such a noteworthy event. (Though, in fairness, we’re also excited about Toronto’s games).
Vancouver has a rich sports legacy that’ll be the perfect stage for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, building on decades of athletic achievement and passion from the international community. It’s long been a hub for major sporting events, from the Vancouver Millionaires’ early 20th-century hockey streak to the enduring popularity of the Vancouver Whitecaps, the city’s beloved Major League Soccer team. The World Cup will be just one of many noteworthy events that have been held at the BC Place Stadium, including the 1983 Soccer Bowl and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Hosting the winter Olympics was a transformative moment for sports in Vancouver. Not only did it show the city had the fanbase to host global athletic events, but also showed it had the infrastructure for visitors to come into the city en masse for events. The Vancouver World Cup matches will be some of the most exciting, partially because of the location: BC Place Stadium is in the heart of downtown Vancouver, super close to all the city’s best things to do.
Here’s what you should know before you plan your trip to the Vancouver World Cup games, along with where to stay and where to watch the action when you aren’t at the stadium.
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Sporty Things to Do in Vancouver
Cheer on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Photo: Mark Fann/Shutterstock
Not all cities hosting World Cup matches in 2026 have their own Major League Soccer teams, but Vancouver certainly does: The Vancouver Whitecaps FC are the city’s pride and joy for soccer fans. Top Whitecaps players like Sam Adekugbe and Richie Laryea will almost certainly be playing in the World Cup, so the hometown spirit will be high. The Whitecaps also have a passionate supporters’ group: the Southsiders, who ensure every game is high energy.
The regular season usually runs from late February to mid-October, though it may be a little different in 2026, as the regular MLS season gets put on hold during the World Cup. Tickets for Vancouver World Cup games will likely be pricey, but Whitecaps tickets start under $30 Canadian, or about $23 USD.
Explore the Richmond Olympic Oval
Photo: Ronnie Chua/Shutterstock
Just a quick 25-minute ride from downtown Vancouver on the Canada Line SkyTrain is the Richmond Olympic Oval. It was built for the 2010 Winter Olympics as a speed-skating venue, but is now a modern, multi-sport facility and museum open to the public. Inside, there’s an ice skating rink (with rentals), indoor climbing, and courts for drop-in, open games like basketball, volleyball, and even badminton.
For visitors, the coolest attraction is probably the ROX, or Richmond Olympic Experience. It has interactive exhibits, displays of Olympic memorabilia, and high-tech sport simulators where you can experience slightly less accessible Olympic events, like ski jumping and bobsledding. Tickets are a reasonable $15.50 for adults.
Join a FIFA Fan Festival
Photo: Vancouver FIFA World Cup
Vancouver’s official fan festival location has already been announced: Hastings Park, east of downtown and conveniently near the bridge to North Van. According to the announcement, the festival will have live entertainment, cultural showcases, and lots of food and drink. There will also be a huge outdoor screen in the amphitheater to accommodate the thousands of people keen on watching the games from around North America.
Hastings Park is one of the largest public spaces in the greater Vancouver area, and currently hosts events like the massive PNE Fair and A-list summer concerts. Just in time for the Vancouver World Cup games will be the completion of the Freedom Mobile Arch Amphitheatre, a 10,000-person venue expected to be finished in early summer 2026.
Break a sweat on a bike tour
Photo: Airbnb
With Stanley Park and the gorgeous Seawall bike path inside the city limits, Vancouver is one of the best cities in North America for getting outdoors. One of the most fun ways to see the city while getting in a bit of fresh air is on a guided cycling tour, like this one from Airbnb Experiences. It’s a four-hour tour through lush forests and along scenic sections of the waterfront. Visitors will ride through Pacific Spirit Park’s towering trees, then pedal along the Seawall to Stanley Park with stops at the famous totem poles and Siwash Rock. It then continues to Granville Island’s public market, with time to taste samples and soak in the lively atmosphere.
Tours are hosted by a long-time local and experienced cyclist, starting at $125 Canadian (about $100 USD) per person.
Get professional-level leg muscles
Photo: Lijuan Guo/Shutterstock
The Grouse Grind is Vancouver’s most iconic and challenging hike, ascending the southern slope of Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver. It’s only about 1.5 to 1.8 miles long, but gains a punishing 2,800 feet of elevation. Starting at the base near the Grouse Mountain Gondola, you’ll climb nearly 3,000 rocky and wooded steps through a beautiful coastal forest. Fortunately, progress is marked every quarter of the way. Unfortunately, the steepest sections are in the final half. At the summit is the Grouse Mountain Chalet, at which point hikers need to take the Skyride Gondola down, as reverse hiking isn’t allowed. It’s tough, but will help you get calves like a soccer player in no time.
Where to eat and drink during the Vancouver World Cup matches
The Blarney Stone
Doolin’s Irish Pub used to be the official pub partner of the Vancouver Southsiders (the Whitecaps’ most passionate supporter’s group) for many years. But when that pub closed, the Southsiders made a move to popular bar The Blarney Stone, Vancouver’s longest-running Irish bar. That means the bar is pretty much always packed with fans on Whitecaps match days — and, often, has a few Whitecaps players themselves when other matches are on the many TVs. The pub’s welcoming vibe, central location, and commitment to showing all Whitecaps home and away matches make it a prime spot for player sightings and fan camaraderie. The viewing parties are always a good time, complete with live commentary, contests, and food and drink specials. It gets raucous, so don’t go here looking for a laid-back spot to have a quick meal.
The Blarney Stone: 216 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J1
The Cambie Bar & Grill
A beloved local pub near BC Place, The Cambie is a hotspot for soccer fans. It’s known for its lively atmosphere during international matches, with multiple screens, great beer selection, and classic pub fare. It’s a dive bar in the best way possible, and since it doesn’t have one nationality in particular it cheers for, you can come in regardless of whether you’re wearing green and yellow for Ghana or black and red for Japan. Expect to see fans from all over the world gathering to cheer on their teams.
The Cambie: 300 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2N4
The Italian Cultural Centre
For authentic Italian cuisine and a passionate soccer crowd, the Italian Cultural Centre in East Vancouver is a must-visit. The Centre is a hub for Italians in Vancouver, with everything from cultural events to lectures, sporting events, and an Italian book club. But during the Vancouver World Cup games, you can bet it’ll be hosting an event (and cheering for Italy). The Centre is home to Osteria al Centro, and we’d be absolutely flabbergasted if it didn’t host huge crowds when the World Cup is underway.
The Italian Cultural Centre: 3075 Slocan St, Vancouver, BC V5M 3E4
Where to Stay for the Vancouver World Cup matches
One of the best things about attending the Vancouver World Cup matches is that BC Place Stadium is in the middle of downtown. You won’t have long public transit rides to reach the stadium, and after games, it’s likely that enthusiastic crowds will spill out of the stadium and fill local bars and restaurants with soccer fans. So if you want to stay nearby and be able to walk to all the action, you’ll want to choose accommodations in downtown Vancouver, or somewhere near a SkyTrain station.
Downtown Vancouver Airbnb next to BC Place
Photo: Airbnb
Staying downtown puts you steps away from BC Place, and this one-bedroom condo is literally the closest you can get without sleeping on the field. It’s a bit pricey, but for convenience and views, it’s absolutely unbeatable.
Downtown Airbnb with ocean views
Photo: Airbnb
This chic Airbnb exemplifies Vancouver, with a location smack in the middle of downtown, but views looking out at gorgeous mountain and ocean vistas. It has two bedrooms and two baths for families or couples traveling together, plus a huge private deck with more than 1,000 square feet of outdoor living space. The Vancouver World Cup matches are happening in the middle of summer, so it’ll be ideal weather for sitting outdoors in the evenings (when you’re not out exploring the city, of course).
The Fairmont Pacific Rim
Photo: Booking.com
If you’re looking to splurge, the Fairmont Pacific Rim is arguably the nicest hotel in downtown Vancouver, with luxurious rooms that have stunning views of the harbor and mountains. It’s just a short walk from BC Place and close to a public transit line for game days, but close enough to everything else in the city (like Canada Place and Stanley Park) for when you’re not cheering on your team of choice.
