The 2026 FIFA World Cup has brought a mixed bag of fortunes for Vancouver's hospitality sector. While some premium services are already seeing a surge in business from high-spending VIPs, others have yet to benefit from the influx of visitors expected for the seven matches at BC Place from June 13 to July 7.
Boom for Limousine Services
Ray Gill, a driver with Supreme Limousine and Chauffeur Service, reported a noticeable uptick in work about a month ago, with bookings increasing as the tournament approaches. "Mostly, it's been the VIPs, coming to inspect everything, the teams and some players," Gill said. He expects his schedule to become even busier once the games begin, reflecting a direct boost from FIFA-related activities.
Bust for Luxury Tour Operators
In contrast, Bespoke Experiences, which curates high-end packages including helicopter tours, private jets, and luxury accommodations ranging from $2,000 to over $200,000, has seen no World Cup-related bookings. Co-founder Jennifer Simpson expressed disappointment: "Unfortunately, we've not seen a single booking due to the World Cup." She noted that this trend is consistent across other host cities in North America, where attendees tend to focus on matches rather than exploring local attractions. "North American tourism is down, and although we hoped this would be the 'pick me up' everyone hoped for, it fell disappointingly short of expectations," she added.
Mixed Outlook from Other Businesses
Javier Cepeda, managing partner of The Kalido Hospitality Group, which operates boutique apartment hotels near BC Place, remains cautiously optimistic. While his properties still have availability during the World Cup period, he emphasized that the event's benefits may extend beyond immediate bookings. "Expectations were extraordinarily high that FIFA would see the hotel industry reach very high rates and occupancy levels, but the reality is more complex," Cepeda said. He draws parallels to past events like Expo 86 and the 2010 Olympics, which provided long-term exposure for Vancouver.
Overall, the World Cup has created a divide among Vancouver hospitality providers: those catering directly to FIFA VIPs are thriving, while others, especially luxury tour operators, have yet to see a return on their expectations. As the tournament progresses, the full economic impact may become clearer.
