The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially kicked off, and Vancouver is joining the celebration with the opening of the PNE FIFA Fan Festival. On Thursday, hundreds of soccer fans lined up to enter the site, with the crowd stretching around Renfrew Street as anticipation built ahead of Canada’s opening match and the first World Cup game scheduled at BC Place. Some fans arrived as early as 6 a.m. to secure a spot for the action.
The Fan Festival offers free admission and is designed as a major gathering place for supporters who want to follow the tournament together. The venue includes multiple large screens for live match viewing, food and drink vendors, family-friendly activities and musical performances. Visitors can also buy premium tickets to watch the games from the Freedom Mobile Arch Amphitheatre, adding another viewing option for those looking for a more exclusive experience.
Security has been increased at the site, and the City of Vancouver is working with the Vancouver Police Department and provincial partners to help ensure public safety throughout the tournament. Organizers say the festival is intended to provide a welcoming and lively atmosphere for fans of all ages while the World Cup unfolds.
Team Canada’s first match is set for Friday in Toronto, where it will face Bosnia and Herzegovina. Vancouver’s first World Cup match will take place on Saturday, when Australia meets Türkiye at BC Place. The city is preparing for a busy stretch of soccer-related events as local excitement grows around the arrival of the tournament.
In addition to the main fan festival at the PNE, other World Cup viewing events are planned in North Vancouver, Granville Island and Surrey, giving fans across the region more ways to take part in the global competition. The Vancouver festival is expected to be a central hub for match screenings, community gatherings and cultural entertainment throughout the tournament.
With the World Cup underway, the early turnout at the Vancouver Fan Festival shows strong local interest in the event and the broader soccer fever spreading across the country. As Canada begins its campaign and Vancouver prepares for its first match, the city’s public viewing spaces are set to play a major role in the fan experience during the tournament.
