Vancouver's streets and restaurant patios near World Cup fan zones have been electric for the last four weeks, exceeding expectations for how the city would embrace being a FIFA host. Before the seventh and final soccer game at B.C. Place, politicians rushed to extend FIFA-related bylaw changes until summer's end: Vancouver city council promised Granville Street could remain a pedestrian zone, and the province extended temporary restaurant patio approvals.
Mixed Business Impact
Most businesses on Granville Mall were keen to see the extension of the pedestrian zone, and this summer will provide clarity on whether the street can continue to attract visitors without an international event, said Jane Talbot, president of Downtown Van. “I’ve always believed that Granville Street can become an incredible public gathering place, and FIFA gave us that real world demonstration,” Talbot said. However, she tempered expectations: “I want to be really clear: It is not going to be exactly as it was during the FIFA World Cup. There’s no way that we expect that level of traffic.”
Fan zones saw intense activity. “The (restaurants) said my business is 50, 60 per cent over where it was last year,” said Ian Tostenson, president of the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association. But many eateries and bars on the outskirts of popular areas did not see the same boost. “We have to make sure — and I don’t know what the answer to this is yet — but if we create these public spaces, we want to make sure that if you’re off the beaten track a bit, that you’re going to benefit as well,” Tostenson added.
Hotel Occupancy Struggles
Hotels did not appear to benefit from the tournament. Bookings were unexpectedly down in both Canadian host cities, Vancouver and Toronto. Destination Vancouver reported that as of June 27 — more than two weeks into the tournament — just 75 per cent of the city’s hotel rooms were full, compared with 91 per cent in June 2025. “In comparison to this time last year, we’ve seen about half the amount of bookings that we would typically have seen in the later part of June and July,” said Rhian Charette, manager of the Hostelling International locations in the West End and Jericho Beach.
Looking Ahead
Without large-screen TVs showing matches and throngs of tourists in jerseys, can Vancouver keep up the party vibe? Experts say the city must consider how to help businesses capitalize on success, especially those not adjacent to popular watch parties. The extended pedestrian zone on Granville Street will be tested this summer to see if it can attract visitors without a major event.
