FIFA World Cup 2026: Vancouver Hosts Seven Matches - Page 14

WarrenC12 · #**261** Posted **May 25, 2026, 10:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Relatively frequently. Do you make a right off Smithe onto any of those streets or do you go up to St P? It's a bad design.

Smythe and Nelson are designed to be E-W thoroughfares. They work well for that.

There are right turn lanes combined with dedicated signaling. I really don't see the problem.

whatnext · #**262** Posted **May 25, 2026, 11:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Smythe and Nelson are designed to be E-W thoroughfares. They work well for that.

There are right turn lanes combined with dedicated signaling. I really don't see the problem.

I guess we'll find out.

Meanwhile, the hotel industry is in massive backpedal/contortion mode to explain why FIFA isn't bringing in the big numbers promised when they lobbied for taxpayer money to be showered on it:

B.C. Hotel Association blames bad messaging for World Cup vacancies, calls for reset
The association says June hotel occupancy rates in downtown Vancouver are about 15 per cent behind the same period last year.
Canadian Press
May 22, 2026 4:02 PM

VANCOUVER — The British Columbia Hotel Association is blaming flawed "messaging" for vacancies heading into next month's FIFA World Cup, that has left tourists with the false impression no rooms are available.

Instead, the association says June hotel occupancy rates in downtown Vancouver are pacing about 15 per cent behind the same period last year.

It says the World Cup has "has not generated the broad hotel demand many expected," although booking activity suggests travellers are making plans closer to arrival....

....While fans have complained about being priced out of attending the World Cup due to ticket and accommodation costs, the association makes no mention of financial considerations in its breakdown of the reasons behind the vacancies.

"This should also serve as a reminder that major events require balanced messaging, co-ordinated planning, and realistic expectations," the association says in the release.

"Perception matters in tourism. When consumers are repeatedly told there will be 'no rooms available,' many simply choose not to come."

It says a false "public story" about the city being booked out "can reduce the very demand the event is meant to support."...

https://www.biv.com/news/hospitality-mar...d-cup-vacancies-calls-for-reset-12319660

jollyburger · #**263** Posted **May 26, 2026, 4:32 AM**

From the Vancouver organizing committee

Quote:

Businesses will be open on all match days, including Costco.

For those going to Costco, vehicle access will be maintained via Beatty St (Beatty St ramp between W Georgia and Dunsmuir). For those walking or cycling, they will have access via the Expo Blvd entrance.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYqCvPelrTP/

jollyburger · #**264** Posted **May 27, 2026, 4:53 AM**

Quote:

1 Downtown South Circulator
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver Service Changes
To help provide more bus service in downtown Vancouver during FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver, we’re introducing this temporary bus route daily from June 8 July 12.

Monday to Friday

Every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Saturday

Every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Sunday/Holiday

Every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Quote:

11 FIFA Fan Festival™ Express
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver Service Changes

To help provide more service to and from the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver, we’re introducing this temporary express bus route to connect the PNE with the Expo Line (via 29th Avenue Station) and Millennium Line (via Renfrew Station).

From June 8 to July 19, the 11 will operate only on days when the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver is open. Schedules for this route will vary based on opening and closing times of FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver.

FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver Days

Every 5 minutes from two hours prior to gate open to two hours following gate close.

https://www.translink.ca/servicechange?u...e-street-detours-for-fifa-world-cup-2026

whatnext · #**265** Posted **May 27, 2026, 6:37 PM**

re: the fan festival from Daily Hive today. On the other hand, Vancouver is notoriously a "last minute" town, so who knows...

Vancouver FIFA Fan Festival tickets are a tough sell so far
Rob Williams
May 27 2026, 11:21 am

...Fan Festival organizers say they’re looking to create a “high-energy, stadium-style atmosphere,” and honestly, this looks like the perfect spot.

Just one problem: the tickets aren’t selling.

Online seating charts show an abundance of ticket inventory that is still unsold.

Whether it’s a lack of awareness or an unwillingness to pay the listed prices, most of the festival dates look even half full. The one exception is July 19, the date of the FIFA World Cup Final, which appears close to sold out....

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fifa-fan-festival-tough-sell

jollyburger · #**266** Posted **May 30, 2026, 1:36 AM**

Quote:

B.C. government says gross costs to host FIFA World Cup 2026 range from $685M to $729M

New estimates released Friday by the B.C. government show the projected gross costs to host the FIFA World Cup—including seven matches at BC Place stadium and events tied to the international tournament—range from $685 million to $729 million.

Once projected revenues, recoveries and contributions are calculated, the “net core and essential” hosting costs are estimated to be at a high of $114 million, which is $31 million lower than estimates released in June 2025.

Government officials said in a technical briefing Friday, May 29 that gross core estimates have been refined due to more advanced planning, including those for safety and security, and the FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE grounds in Hastings Park.

The information was released in coordination with a news conference at the government’s cabinet office in Vancouver, where Anne Kang, minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport, and Ravi Kahlon, minister of jobs and economic growth, spoke to reporters.

“These updated projections reflect our commitment to careful planning and responsible use of public funds,” said Kang, noting the net cost at the low end is estimated at $90 million, with $114 million being the high end.

“At the same time, the economic benefit remains strong and, as well, the opportunities to open new doors for trade, investment and business growth.”

https://www.biv.com/biv-rss-newsletter/b...up-2026-range-from-685m-to-729m-12349958

giallo · #**267** Posted **May 30, 2026, 2:16 PM**

WC-related art in Yaletown

jollyburger · #**268** Posted **May 30, 2026, 5:36 PM**

Getting off Cambie it's a single lane with an exit lane to Expo Blvd because of some road work

All the other routes are pretty clear so no idea why people are still headed in this way with traffic backed from the bridge all the way to Broadway.

WarrenC12 · #**269** Posted **May 30, 2026, 7:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollyburger

All the other routes are pretty clear so no idea why people are still headed in this way with traffic backed from the bridge all the way to Broadway.

Because how would they know?

The roadwork in this City continues to be insane in addition to everything else (skytrain, FIFA)

whatnext · #**270** Posted **May 30, 2026, 7:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Getting off Cambie it's a single lane with an exit lane to Expo Blvd because of some road work

All the other routes are pretty clear so no idea why people are still headed in this way with traffic backed from the bridge all the way to Broadway.

Why the f*ck would the city allow this to take place now when the other exit is close for FIFA? No way it is that urgent.

jollyburger · #**271** Posted **May 31, 2026, 12:24 AM**

Maybe not as many people use car navigation than I thought.. BC Hydro is replacing some poles down the street from there. They should have at least paid to have some cops to control the signal for one block to pass through more cars versus the standard timing.

SpongeG · #**272** Posted **May 31, 2026, 5:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

re: the fan festival from Daily Hive today. On the other hand, Vancouver is notoriously a "last minute" town, so who knows...

Vancouver FIFA Fan Festival tickets are a tough sell so far
Rob Williams
May 27 2026, 11:21 am

...Fan Festival organizers say they’re looking to create a “high-energy, stadium-style atmosphere,” and honestly, this looks like the perfect spot.

Just one problem: the tickets aren’t selling.

Online seating charts show an abundance of ticket inventory that is still unsold.

Whether it’s a lack of awareness or an unwillingness to pay the listed prices, most of the festival dates look even half full. The one exception is July 19, the date of the FIFA World Cup Final, which appears close to sold out....

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fifa-fan-festival-tough-sell

Why would people pay to go way out to the PNE area to watch though, its much easier to go to any bar or pub or commercial drive like most people do every four years when it's on. I heard Toronto had a public outcry that they were going to charge people to get into some viewing fan fest place.

jollyburger · #**273** Posted **May 31, 2026, 5:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Why would people pay to go way out to the PNE area to watch though, its much easier to go to any bar or pub or commercial drive like most people do every four years when it's on. I heard Toronto had a public outcry that they were going to charge people to get into some viewing fan fest place.

I mean same reason went to those watch parties for the Whitecaps. There's also going to be music/football playground/food trucks etc. I mean why do people go to the Outlet Mall on Boxing Day or go through crowds to eat mediocre food at the Richmond Night Market?

giallo · #**274** Posted **May 31, 2026, 4:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Why would people pay to go way out to the PNE area to watch though, its much easier to go to any bar or pub or commercial drive like most people do every four years when it's on. I heard Toronto had a public outcry that they were going to charge people to get into some viewing fan fest place.

The ticket charge was probably implemented to help thin the crowd. If they were to offer it as a free viewing area in the brand new amphitheatre, it would be absolutely swamped with people. Traffic would be a nightmare.

Clearly, they priced the tickets too high, though, and it had the opposite effect.

Glow Fun City · #**275** Posted **May 31, 2026, 5:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by giallo

The ticket charge was probably implemented to help thin the crowd. If they were to offer it as a free viewing area in the brand new amphitheatre, it would be absolutely swamped with people. Traffic would be an absolute nightmare.

Clearly, they priced the tickets too high, though, and it had the opposite effect.

Yeah, they should've gone with $20 lawn tickets and $40 seated or something like that to try to sell it out every day. Maybe charge a little more as you get closer to the final

NewfBC · #**276** Posted **May 31, 2026, 7:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollyburger

https://www.biv.com/biv-rss-newsletter/b...up-2026-range-from-685m-to-729m-12349958

Seattle and WA State have spent less than 25% of this amount. Wonder why the HUGE difference?

Seems Seattle has a lot of fun events for fans as well... including..

Seattle Soccer Celebration: Located on the downtown waterfront at Pier 62, this floating mini-pitch and fan hub features massive screens broadcasting the matches, music, food, and culture.

The "Last Mile" Fan Zone: The pedestrian corridor connecting the waterfront, Pioneer Square, and the stadium will host outdoor, kid-friendly activities, entertainment, and local business activations on match days.

Ron.

SpongeG · #**277** Posted **Jun 1, 2026, 12:15 AM**

I guess i'm not buying the narrative that this World Cup will be the Olympics all over again. The games can be watched anywhere, and most of the games will be on work days? I hope I'm wrong but it seems like it will be overhyped and underwhelming.

jollyburger · #**278** Posted **Jun 1, 2026, 2:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

I guess i'm not buying the narrative that this World Cup will be the Olympics all over again. The games can be watched anywhere, and most of the games will be on work days? I hope I'm wrong but it seems like it will be overhyped and underwhelming.

I mean it's obviously a different type of tournament versus how the Olympics were solely focused on Vancouver/Whistler with an almost constant schedule of events. I assume you would factor in the overall cash pumped into the tournaments and how much benefit you are expecting out of it.

Tysonbrown · #**279** Posted **Jun 1, 2026, 4:54 AM**

Does the city or BC Place plan to auction off the grass turf? Could fetch a lot of money for specific sections. Imagine a kid who's got actual WC Turf in her backyard.

logicbomb · #**280** Posted **Jun 1, 2026, 8:04 PM**

What an abysmal failure this is about to be. Many of the games are way short of sales expectations due to absurd pricing along with manufactured scarcity. FIFA really ripped off early buyers and resellers by doing the bullshit draws and tried to induce FOMO. It worked. Many buyers spent thousands for each game thinking they were lucky. FIFA capitalized off this FOMO by created their Marketplace which was structured to inflate prices and chew out 30% fees.

Last week, there was at one point 5,500 to 8,000 tickets available for each game and FIFA pulled these after they were not selling well. It's rumored that FIFA will either be giving away the tickets or auctioning them off through other resale websites.

We are not drawing many tourists for this event.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tysonbrown

Does the city or BC Place plan to auction off the grass turf? Could fetch a lot of money for specific sections. Imagine a kid who's got actual WC Turf in her backyard.

It will be destroyed and disposed off. The grass actually has a bit of microplastic fibers to keep the structure.