Vancouver prepares for first World Cup match
Vancouver World Cup traffic and fan events will shape the city around B.C. Place Find road closures, free watch parties and transit tips to plan your match day
Vancouver is set to host its first World Cup match on Saturday night, with Australia facing Turkey at B.C. Place. The city is also preparing for weeks of traffic changes, fan events and free public viewing options as the tournament continues.
Downtown travel will be affected by road closures, and organizers are encouraging people to walk, bike or use transit. Key streets near B.C. Place and Granville Street have been restricted, while Pacific Boulevard will remain closed for a spectator route between the SkyTrain and the stadium.
Fans without tickets can attend the official FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE amphitheatre, where games will be shown on screens alongside food, entertainment and live performances. Several free watch parties are also scheduled across Metro Vancouver, including locations in Burnaby, Surrey, North Vancouver, Coquitlam and at UBC.