One Month to FIFA World Cup 2026™

Throughout FIFA World Cup 2026™, Vancouver will transform into one massive celebration of The Beautiful Game, with fan festivals, waterfront watch parties, and family-friendly activations taking over the city. Whether you scored match tickets or simply want to soak up the atmosphere, here’s how to get in on the action:

• Watch matches live on giant screens at the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver (June 11 – July 19).
• Canada House by Coca-Cola transforms the Shark Club near BC Place Stadium into a fan hub with 72 televisions, themed decor, and a juicy poutine burger.
• Join Canada Soccer festivities at The Shipyards in North Vancouver, featuring athlete meet-and-greets and more.
• Gather at Granville Island’s free waterfront viewing zone.
• Marvel at Science World transformed into “The Beautiful Dome,” a spectacular 360-degree recreation of the adidas Trionda match ball.
• Head to Canyon Kick-Off at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, where the flags of the eight nations competing in Vancouver will fly alongside a 10-foot soccer ball.

Discover more soccer-themed experiences and events on Destination Vancouver’s website.

Free and open to all, FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver takes over the PNE Grounds at Hastings Park from June 11 – July 19, 2026. Here are four ways to make the most of it:

• Catch every kick: Watch more than 100 hours of FIFA World Cup™ matches live on giant screens, celebrating every goal with fans from around the world.
• Taste the world in The Neighbourhood: Inspired by Vancouver’s street festivals and night markets, this lively hub dishes up Mexican, Indian, Japanese, and more. See more culinary experiences here.
• Play in the Playground: This all-ages zone features a massive paint-by-numbers mural, robotic goalkeeper challenges, and face painting.
• Turn up the volume: More than 120 artists will take the stage during the festival run, including Bob Moses, Chromeo, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, and more. See the full lineup here.

As travellers lock in plans for FIFA World Cup 2026™, British Columbia offers a natural next move. Extend your stay, and the province opens into distinct, experience-led journeys for every type of traveller—whether thrill-seeker, wellness wanderer, epicure, or cultural explorer—all within reach of Vancouver.

Where Altitude Meets Attitude

For those who measure travel in adrenaline rather than kilometres, BC rises to the occasion:

Whistler Mountain Bike Park: World-Leading Downhill Terrain

Ranked the top lift-accessed bike park globally, Whistler Mountain Bike Park delivers 4,900 vertical feet and over 80 kilometres (50 miles) of trails across four zones, catering to first-timers and elite riders alike. 

How to get there: Drive two hours along the Sea to Sky Highway.

Revelstoke Skywalk: From Forest Floor to Valley Views

Skywalk, the newest attraction at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, is anchored by a 75.5-metre (248-feet) suspension bridge swaying high above the Columbia Valley. The journey starts with an easy hike through one of the only inland temperate rainforests in the world, leading to panoramic views of the Monashee Mountains and downtown Revelstoke. 

How to get there: Fly to Kelowna, then drive 2.5 hours to Revelstoke.

Into The Great Wilderness: Women Lead the Way

Women-led experiences in The Great Wilderness are opening up the backcountry to women everywhere. Robson Backcountry Adventures in Robson Valley offers guided alpine hikes led by Joy and Alison, both certified hiking guides with seasoned expertise in alpine terrain and wildlife. Trips range from easy day trips to challenging week-long expeditions. 

How to get there: VIA Rail runs limited service to Valemount, fly to Prince George, then drive 2.5 hours, or take the nine-hour drive.

The Art of Slowing Down

Though BC is filled with epic, soul-stirring landscapes, not every journey demands adrenaline. Some ask only that you exhale.

Bowen Island: An Easy Escape to Island Time

Less than an hour by public transit from Vancouver, Bowen Island offers an instant release from the stadium’s intensity: 

• Nectar Yoga Retreat pairs yoga in a geodesic dome with forest bathing and crystal-charged accommodations. 
• Mist Thermal Sanctuary, set within the same coastal forest, offers guests a private circuit of sauna, cold plunge, and rest.

How to get there: Take a bus to Horseshoe Bay, then a 20-minute ferry.

Valleys & Vineyards: Endless Ways to Unwind

In Valleys & Vineyards, wellness takes many forms:

• Cycle: Ride the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, featuring Myra Canyon’s 18 trestle bridges, or the Okanagan Rail Trail, which stretches 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Kelowna to Penticton. 
• Paddle: Cruise the 27-kilometre (17-mile) Kelowna Paddle Trail or glide across Kalamala Lake in Vernon, considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
• Spa: Brave the -110°C (-166°F) cold chamber at Sparkling Hill Resort’s 40,000-square-foot KurSpa in Vernon.

How to get there: Drive four hours to Kelowna, then continue into the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. 

Victoria: Wellness by the Water

Take a scenic ferry ride to coastal calm:

• Soak away stress at HAVN Saunas, Float House Victoria, or RITUAL Nordic Spa.
• Wander among flora and fauna at The Butchart Gardens, Abkhazi Garden, or Victoria Butterfly Gardens.
• Take a guided rainforest hike with Rainforest Tours or Island Trails Ecotours.  

How to get there: Take a two-hour ferry, watching for orcas and seals along the way.

Follow the Flavours

BC tells its stories through food just as much as through landscapes:

Surrey: Food Worth Following

Surrey serves up standout culinary experiences for every palate: 

• Follow the Spice Trail, a flavourful journey through one of of the most multicultural food scenes in Canada.
• Decorate cupcakes with Jujhar Mann, winner of Netflix’s Is it Cake?
• Join Birds & Brews, which pairs a guided Pacific Flyway birdwatch with a wind down over a coffee or tea. 

How to get there: Drive 40 minutes along Highway 1.

Cowichan Valley: Where Coast Meets Countryside

On southern Vancouver Island, the Cowichan Valley combines coastal influence with fertile farmland, influencing both lifestyle and local flavour:

• Cowichan Bay is the first Cittaslow community in North America, where slow food and intentional living are prioritized above all else.
• Set within the only maritime Mediterranean climate in Canada, the region produces crisp whites and vibrant reds at boutique, family-run wineries.
• Local farms offer immersive agricultural experiences, including biodynamic food and hot yoga at Alderlea Farm & Cafe, foraging workshops at Deerholme Farm, and animal experiences at Yellow Point Farms. 

How to get there: Fly into Nanaimo or Victoria and take a short drive to the valley. Alternatively, arrive via Hullo Ferries or BC Ferries for a relaxed coastal journey.

Kelowna: A Harmony of Land and Table 

Kelowna holds the designation of Canada’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy, recognizing the strength of its food systems and deep connection between land and table:

• Bike the Westside Wine Trail, stopping for sips at local favourites like Mission Hill Family Estate, Quails’ Gate Winery, and Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery.
• Shop for fresh produce at Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market. 
• Book bespoke, ingredient-driven dining at The Okanagan Table.

How to get there: Drive four hours along Highway 1.

Stories that Stay With You

For travellers drawn to history and culture, BC offers encounters that resonate long after departure: 

Britannia Shipyards: Stories from the Waterfront

Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site preserves a once-thriving fishing and boatbuilding community along the Fraser River. Its canneries and stilt houses recall an era when fishing and boatbuilding sustained entire communities.

How to get there: Drive 35 minutes to Steveston.

Klahoose Wilderness Resort: Indigenous-Led Cultural Immersion

The closest wilderness lodge to Vancouver, Klahoose Wilderness Resort offers guided journeys to Ahpokum, an ancestral village site, as well as cedar weaving, storytelling, and traditional ceremonies connecting land and identity. Several packages align with World Cup match dates, making it a seamless extension of the experience.

How to get there: Fly 35 minutes via commercial flight or seaplane to Powell River, then take a scheduled transfer to Lund. 

Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail: Stories that Shaped the Valley

In the Slocan Valley, the Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail traces the forced displacement of more than 22,000 Japanese Canadians in the 1940s. Anchored by sites like the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre and Kohan Reflection Garden, the trail adds narrative and geographical context to the broader story of Japanese Canadian history.

How to get there: Fly to Castlegar, then drive 20 minutes to the Slocan Valley.

Explore our FIFA World Cup 2026™ Media Kit — featuring curated media resources, helpful planning information, and inspiring story ideas that showcase the many perspectives of travelling in British Columbia.