The City of Vancouver is set to implement a series of temporary bylaw changes in preparation for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, creating a distinct set of rules for the two-month event period.
Key Changes and Enforcement
From May 13 to July 20, 2026, the city will see a significant shift in its public space regulations. The proposed changes, which will go before city council on Wednesday, include restricting street vendors and performers, blocking unauthorized commercial advertising, and surprisingly, loosening noise restrictions.
Municipal ticket enforcement will be ramped up considerably during this period, with fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 for infractions. This approach mirrors the strategy used during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Learning from the Past: The 2010 Precedent
The city's experience with the 2010 Olympics informs the current proposal. The initial bylaw for those games faced a significant backlash and a lawsuit, supported by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association—then led by now Premier David Eby—over concerns it would restrict freedom of political expression.
This led to an amendment focusing the bylaw solely on commercial advertising. For the World Cup, the city is aiming to be more precise, with the report clearly stating that there is no intent to impact political expression or the right to lawful protest.
Robert VanWynsberghe, a UBC professor who led a post-2010 Olympics impact study, noted that some past bylaw changes were indeed designed to control the scale of protests. He recalled a designated protest zone and measures to prevent open sleeping in certain areas.
Community Concerns and Specific Restrictions
Advocates in the Downtown Eastside are expressing serious fears that residents will be displaced as the city works to ensure compliance with FIFA's requirements.
Jean Swanson, a former city councillor and longtime anti-poverty advocate, told Postmedia she suspects the city will prioritize aesthetics over people's well-being. People in the Downtown Eastside are terrified, she said, adding that she expects enforcement against those living on the street to intensify.
The new rules will specifically ban street performances in key areas, including:
- Sidewalks adjacent to Library Square and Science World
- The Vancouver Art Gallery and Queen Elizabeth Theatre
- Terry Fox Plaza
- Several SkyTrain stations
As Vancouver prepares for the global spotlight, these temporary measures aim to balance the event's massive logistical needs with the city's character and the rights of its residents.
