FIFA World Cup 26™ Starts Tomorrow

With FIFA World Cup 2026™ kicking off tomorrow and Vancouver preparing to host its first match this weekend, British Columbia is buzzing with new fan experiences. Discover Home Pitch at FIFA Fan Festival™, a playable football experience set in the iconic landscapes found throughout BC; a summit watch party at Grouse Mountain, overlooking the world’s largest Canadian flag; and itinerary inspiration for turning match day into a bucket-list BC adventure. Sports Illustrated just ranked Vancouver the number one FIFA World Cup 2026™ host city—proof that while the matches might bring you here, there’s plenty worth staying for.

For curated story ideas, travel inspiration, planning information, and media-ready resources highlighting the many ways to experience British Columbia during the tournament visit Destination BC’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Media Kit.

Only in British Columbia can FIFA Fan Festival™ visitors step directly from the World Cup into the most spectacular landscapes in the province. Home Pitch features immersive 360-degree visuals and spatial sound that transport fans to mountain peaks, coastal shorelines, and ancient forests, creating an exhilarating environment that frames a playable pitch.

Welcomed into the sensorial space by the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, visitors can test their football skills, join a game, and discover activations from partners such as Indigenous Tourism BC, Vancouver Rise FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Designed for fans of all ages, Home Pitch transforms the iconic scenery of BC into a living backdrop for the beautiful game.

While the world arrives in British Columbia for FIFA World Cup 2026™, the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation are focused on what comes next: stronger communities, new opportunities, and lasting impact. Community-led initiatives are already underway—from the opening of Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s first sports field, to Squamish youth leading coaching clinics alongside the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, to Musqueam’s Next Generation soccer program expanding year-round access to sport and mentorship. Together, these efforts show how the World Cup’s global spotlight can drive meaningful, long-term benefits for local families and future generations.

During the tournament, visitors will be welcomed onto the lands of the Three Host Nations through Home Pitch at the FIFA Fan Festival™ (see below) and other celebrations that share their cultures, stories, and traditions. On National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), programming will centre on storytelling by community Elders, Indigenous cultural experiences, and performances by acclaimed artists like Snotty Nose Rez Kids. Beyond the World Cup, the story is one of legacy and connection—demonstrating how the beautiful game can bring people together, amplify Indigenous stories, and create lasting benefits for generations to come.

FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Vancouver won’t be confined to BC Place Vancouver—it will spill onto waterfronts, into public squares, and across mountain towns throughout British Columbia. And while the matches are played on the pitch, the World Cup truly comes alive in the crowd, making community watch parties the most memorable places to join the excitement. 

• Grouse Mountain Natural Watch Party (Vancouver, June 27)

Watch Panama vs. England at the summit of Grouse Mountain, where one of the most scenic World Cup watch parties awaits. The attraction recently unveiled the world’s largest Canadian flag—a record-setting display that stretches the length of two football fields and weighs 3,000 pounds—creating an iconic backdrop for match day.

• Granville Island World Cup Viewing Zone (Vancouver, June 11 – July 19)

Watch more than 90 matches on a massive outdoor screen at one of Vancouver’s most-visited destinations. Scenically situated beside False Creek, Granville Island’s free viewing zone pairs World Cup action with food trucks, a beer garden, roving performers, and family-friendly activities.

• Uber Eats Canada Soccer House (North Vancouver, June 11 – July 19)

Ride the Seabus across Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver’s bustling waterfront, where Canada Soccer House at The Shipyards screens live matches on an 8-metre (29-foot) screen. Enhanced by direct sightlines to the downtown cityscape, the festivities include all-day entertainment, athlete appearances, and official merchandise.

• Watch Parties Further Afield

World Cup electricity extends far beyond Vancouver. Catch matches lakeside at the Kelowna World Soccer Watch Party (July 2), join Victoria’s six-week Summer of Soccer celebrations amid cobblestoned streets and a picturesque harbourfront, or head to Revelstoke, where limited match screenings (June 22) are staged against a backdrop of alpine peaks and mountain culture. 

Whether beside a lake, in the midst of downtown, or at the foot of the mountains, BC’s watch parties invite visitors to experience the global spirit of the World Cup in spectacular settings. Find more World Cup watch parties and events across the province.

After the World Cup, the adventure begins. Whether you have an extra day or an extra week, it’s only natural to venture further into British Columbia, where mountain summits, Pacific swells, and remarkable wildlife experiences await.

1-2 days: City, Coast & Mountains

Vancouver, Richmond, Squamish, Whistler, Great Bear Rainforest

• Hike the Grouse Grind at sunrise (locals call it “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”), then tuck into breakfast alongside the mountain’s resident grizzlies.
• Follow the mouthwatering Dumpling Trail to uncover the buzz behind Richmond’s Asian food scene.
• Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola to a summit playground featuring hiking trails, rock climbing, and a suspension bridge overlooking a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.  
• Soar above glaciers, alpine lakes, and coastal peaks aboard Blackcomb Helicopters.
• Fly to Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary on BC’s North Coast, then take a catamaran cruise through grizzly territory—all in a single day (offered July 4, 2026).

3-5 days: Coastal Communities & Wild Shores

Tofino, Victoria, Pacific Rim National Park

• Arrive in Victoria by Harbour Air seaplane, then wander the historic Abkhazi Garden, followed by an exquisite afternoon tea.
• Paddle the ancestral waterways of Victoria’s Inner Harbour with the Indigenous-owned Songhees Tours.
• Learn to surf in Tofino, where operators like Surf Sister and Tofino Surf School introduce beginners and seasoned surfers alike to the Pacific’s moody swells.  
• Tackle the legendary West Coast Trail, a challenging backcountry route that navigates fast-flowing rivers, over 100 ladder systems, and the tangled wilderness of Pacific Rim National Park.
• Spot whales, sea otters, and sea lions on a zodiac ride with Ahous Adventures, while Indigenous guides share stories passed down through generations.

5+ Days: Wine Country & Wilderness

Kelowna, Williams Lake, Great Bear Rainforest, Stikine Region, Golden

• E-bike through Kelowna’s rolling wine country with Vivid Tours, stopping for tastings at lakeside and hilltop vineyards.
• Experience life at the Flying U, Canada’s oldest guest ranch, where everything from horseback rides to yoga unfolds across 60,000 acres in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast.
• Journey to the Great Bear Rainforest with operators such as Spirit Bear Lodge and Maple Leaf Adventures in search of grizzlies, black bears, and the elusive Spirit Bear.
• Venture north to Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park—part of the Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek UNESCO World Heritage Site—to marvel at the world’s largest non-polar icefield.
• In Golden, ascend above the Rockies on the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort gondola for alpine views and one of North America’s highest-elevation dining experiences.  

Find more BC itineraries here.