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In one week, the sights and sounds of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will fill the streets of Vancouver.
Signs and symbols are popping up in iconic local venues ahead of the festivities.
While there are concerns about downtown traffic and the tournament making temporary accommodation more expensive, a number of restaurants and bars are trying to capitalize on the worldwide attention.
“They’re putting up decorations; they’ve got special menus, they’ve got special uniforms for … their staff to wear, T-shirts — so it’s kind of like Christmas, in a way,” said Ian Tostenson, president of the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association.
Tostenson said some restaurant owners are calling the event bigger than the Grey Cup, the Stanley Cup or the Super Bowl.
More than 1,000 restaurants have jumped on to a campaign to market local culture, food and beverages, according to Tostenson.
The A-maze-ing Laughter statues at English Bay Beach are among a number of local icons that are getting a FIFA World Cup makeover. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
He said the festive spirit is perking up.
“Vancouver’s such a last-minute town. I think everybody’s going to jump on board here.”
PR push
From a massive Canada flag unfurled at Grouse Mountain to Science World being turned into a soccer ball, many landmarks around the region are getting in on the action, too.
Vancouver mom Danielle Skubleny mentioned both attractions when asked what stood out to her a week ahead of kickoff, though she said she would avoid downtown for the duration of the tournament over traffic concerns.
“I love the soccer ball. I think it’s so cool. We can see it from our apartment,” Skubleny said of Science World’s new look.
Science World now features decorations that make it look like a soccer ball. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press)
Metro Vancouver’s transit agency is also gearing up for visitors from all over the world to arrive.
TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said that a SeaBus with unique decorations will take to the Burrard Inlet to celebrate the tournament.
“Our transit system was literally built for big events. And now we are ready to deliver for the world’s biggest,” he told reporters.
TransLink will also release a keychain shaped like a soccer ball, with a Compass card built in, allowing users to pay for transit with the keychain.
A TransLink keychain shaped like a soccer ball will allow transit users to tap on and off with their Compass card. (TransLink)
Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair, who hails from Burnaby, has recorded voiceovers for the transit system that will play for the duration of the tournament.
But while some locals expressed excitement when they spoke to CBC News, a tourist visiting from Canmore, Alta., expressed concern over how the World Cup was making accommodation more expensive.
“It’s nice, but I think the price for this event is very high in Vancouver,” said Christiane Perriot. “That’s why I’m glad I’m here before the event.”
A giant Canada flag was unfurled on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver on June 2 ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)