If you aren't much of a sports fan and not particularly interested in getting stuck in traffic, you may want to avoid downtown Vancouver on certain days this summer. The 2026 World Cup is coming to Vancouver, and the city is set to host seven matches at B.C. Place throughout June and July.
Managing Match-Day Crowds
To manage match-day crowds, a number of traffic closures and detours have been put in place, along with a pedestrian-only corridor along False Creek between Science World and B.C. Place. This corridor, dubbed the Last Mile, will serve as the only entry point into the stadium for ticket holders. It will also double as a celebration fan zone for those without tickets who want to enjoy the atmosphere, opening four hours before kickoff on match days.
A five-block stretch of Granville Street will also be converted into a pedestrian zone for the duration of the tournament, with expanded patios, public art, entertainment, vendors, and more.
Road Closures During the Tournament Period
Granville Street will be fully closed to motor traffic between Davie and Georgia streets from June 8 to July 26 to create a pedestrian-only zone with live entertainment, vendors, and more. Bus routes that usually rely on Granville will be rerouted to Seymour or Howe Street.
The following closures will be in effect from May 23 to late July for the duration of the FIFA Vancouver tournament period:
- Pacific Boulevard: For the duration of the tournament, from May 23 through late July, Pacific Boulevard will be closed to traffic between the Cambie Bridge off-ramp to Carrall. A section of Pacific Boulevard between Cambie and Smithe will temporarily allow two-way traffic.
- Smithe Mews: A stretch of Smithe Mews from Expo Boulevard to the waterfront will be available to local traffic only from May 23 until late July.
Road Closures on Match Days
The following roads will be fully closed on match days:
- Pacific Boulevard and Quebec Street: A stretch of Pacific Boulevard and Quebec Street from Cambie Street all the way to Central Street near Science World will be fully closed.
- Expo Boulevard: Expo from Smithe to Main Street will be fully closed.
- Beatty Street: Beatty from Smithe to just before West Georgia will be fully closed.
- Robson Street: Robson from Cambie to Beatty will be fully closed.
- Griffiths Way and Pat Quinn Way: Both Griffiths Way and Pat Quinn Way will be fully closed from Expo to Pacific boulevards.
- Carrall Street: Carrall from Keefer to the waterfront will be fully closed.
- Keefer Street: Keefer from Carrall to Columbia will be fully closed.
- East Georgia Street and Terminal Avenue: From Quebec/Columbia to Main Street.
- Science World parking lots will be inaccessible on match days.
For a full list of match days and additional details, refer to the official FIFA Vancouver host committee resources.
