![\"lataqueria2\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/lataqueria2.jpg;w=960.jpeg\"\/)
\nSophia Quintero and her staff at La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop. | Photo Mike Howell <\/p>\n
Sophia Quintero of La Taqueria: ‘It’s going good, especially on days when Mexico or Canada plays.’<\/p>\n
If the long lineups to food trucks and aroma-filled tents were any indication Wednesday, the people selling food and drinks to the thousands of FIFA fan festival-goers were doing a brisk business.<\/p>\n
Three operators interviewed prior to Team Canada\u2019s match against Switzerland were all anticipating a busy day as wave after wave of fans arrived at Hastings Park, which has been the site of the festival since June 11.<\/p>\n
A couple hours before the noon start to the match, Karl Gregg, owner of Rosie\u2019s BBQ and Smokehouse, was readying his barbecue in the back of his small tent. Two staff members were busily preparing meat and fixings for customers.<\/p>\n
A short walk away, Gregg\u2019s food trailer of the same name was also in preparation mode.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s going to be nuts\u2014and that\u2019s good,\u201d Gregg said. \u201cWith festivals, you get the highs and lows. You get a break when it’s a little bit low, and you get to recharge and get ready for the high.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gregg described the festival site as a beautiful space, pointing to the grassy hill out front of his tent.<\/p>\n
“This hill filled up for one of the Mexico games,”\u00a0he said. “It felt like you were a part of it, even though you were working.”<\/p>\n
What Business in Vancouver observed Wednesday afternoon was Gregg\u2019s food service businesses running on \u201chigh\u201d as customers lined up for roast chicken,\u00a0 brisket and smoked specialties.<\/p>\n
\nSophia Quintero and her staff at La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop. | Photo Mike Howell
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‘Two countries that bring out the most people’<\/p>\n
A couple tents over, Sophia Quintero and her two staff at La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop were also in full production line mode, quickly making taco after taco for the many customers dressed in red and white.<\/p>\n
Mexico would also play later in the day, which Quintero\u2014wearing a sports jersey in the green colour of the team\u2014anticipated would be good for business.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s going good, especially on days when Mexico or Canada plays,\u201d she said, shortly after the main gates to the festival opened at 10 a.m. \u201cThose are the two countries that bring out the most people here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quintero added: “So\u00a0there’s good days and bad days.\u00a0But I think it’s as expected. Like on weekday mornings, there’s not as many people as there is on a Saturday evening.”<\/p>\n
![\"fifafestscreen\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fifafestscreen.jpg;w=960.jpeg\"\/)
\nCrowds watch the Team Canada-Switzerland FIFA World Cup game June 24 at the PNE amphitheatre. Canada lost 2-1 and will play South Africa Sunday June 27. | Photo Mike Howell
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Amphitheatre, park stage<\/p>\n
The main attraction for fans is the newly built amphitheatre, which features three large viewing screens. The facility was packed Wednesday for the Canada-Switzerland game. Smaller screens are positioned in other areas of the festival grounds.<\/p>\n
Tickets must be purchased to use the seats in the amphitheatre, but there is a first-come, first-serve standing room-only space at the front of the amphitheatre stage that can accommodate 2,600 people free of charge.<\/p>\n
Daily entertainment on various stages from performers such as Los Dorados, Sam Roberts and Jake Vaadeland and The Sturgeon River Boys \u2014 which appeared on the park stage Wednesday morning \u2014 has also attracted crowds.<\/p>\n
Adults can buy alcohol and bring it with them throughout the site.<\/p>\n
![\"jakesturgeonboys\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/jakesturgeonboys.jpg;w=960.jpeg\"\/)
\nJake Vaadeland and The Sturgeon River Boys\u00a0performed June 24 on the park stage at the fan festival. | Photo Mike Howell
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Sales ‘meeting expectations’<\/p>\n
La Taqueria and Rosie\u2019s BBQ and Smokehouse are located in what festival organizers dubbed \u201cthe neighbourhood,\u201d a row of food tents with wood-framed facades a short walk from the Pacific Coliseum.<\/p>\n
Other offerings on the strip include Paella Guys, NUBA, Riz Sushi, ChouChou Crepes, Peacock by Vij\u2019s and Munchi German Foods. Further south, dozens of food trucks and other food and beverage kiosks line what is a sloping hill that eventually links to the amphitheatre.<\/p>\n
Near the top of that hill, Elena Alps, shift manager for Aperitivo food truck, and staff were serving their first customers within 10 minutes of the festival gates opening. Gelato and milkshakes were on the menu.<\/p>\n
The truck was originally located in another spot on the festival grounds, but customer traffic wasn\u2019t as expected, said Alps, noting organizers agreed to allow the truck to set up in its current location.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefinitely, the people in charge of organizing the food vendors are looking to set the food vendors up for success,\u201d she said. \u201cI think at this point, the sales are meeting expectations. In the first week or so, it was a lot slower than anticipated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Festival organizers said more than 40,000 people visited the festival Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Rain in forecast<\/p>\n
A steady stretch of good weather and people realizing there was no entry fee to get into the festival has also been good for business, the three operators said. But with rain in the forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, they\u2019re hoping the crowds will still come.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure what to expect,\u201d Alps said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Team Canada lost 2-1 to Switzerland, setting up a contest against South Africa Sunday in Los Angeles. Game time is noon, with festival gates expected to open at 10 a.m.\u2014rain or shine.<\/p>\n
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