The FIFA World Cup 26™ arrives in British Columbia for seven epic matches between 13 June 2026 and 7 July 2025, but that's just the start of the story.

Taking place on the Traditional Territories of the Three Host First Nations—xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)—this global event will spotlight the cultures, voices, and communities of Indigenous Peoples and diverse cultures that call BC home.

Outside the stadium lies a province as immense as it is diverse nearly four times the size of the UK and Ireland combined, with climates, landscapes, and ecosystems rivalling those found across entire continents. One moment, you're watching orcas breach offshore; the next, you're hiking through misty rainforest or skiing along alpine ridgelines.

In 2026, the beautiful game meets its perfect match to discover everything British Columbia has to offer.

Seven Must-See Matches at BC Place for FIFA World Cup 26™

BC Place Stadium in Vancouver is a key venue for FIFA World Cup 26™, hosting seven exciting matches—including two featuring Canada's national team.

Fans can look forward to five group-stage games, plus a Round of 32 and a Round of 16 knockout match.

Here's the full match schedule at BC Place:

• Australia vs. Kosovo/Romania/Slovakia/Türkiye | Group D | June13
• Canada vs. Qatar | Group B | June 18
• New Zealand vs. Egypt | Group G | June 21
• Switzerland vs. Canada | Group B | June 24
• New Zealand vs. Belgium | Group G | June 26
• Match 85 | Round of 32 | July 2
• Match 96 | Round of 16 | Tuesday, July 7

Welcome to the World's Best Backyard

As the world prepares for FIFA World Cup 26™, British Columbia offers a fan experience no other host destination can match. In Vancouver, high-energy games at BC Place Stadium unfold in a lively downtown framed by mountains, temperate rainforest, and Pacific coastline… all just minutes from your seats (it's no wonder National Geographic named Vancouver among its Best of the World 2026 list). So forget tailgates in concrete jungles. In BC, the World Cup isn't just a game—it's a gateway to the world's best backyard:

• Stanley Park – This 404-hectare (1,000-acre) urban rainforest is home to beaches, ocean views, and 27 kilometres (17 miles) of forested trails… all in the heart of downtown. It's like stepping off the pitch and into a postcard.
• Grouse Mountain – Just 20 minutes from downtown, Grouse Mountain offers a quick break in the alpine. Ride the gondola, or tackle the 2.9-kilometre (1.8-mile) Grouse Grind—“Mother Nature's Stairmaster”—then toast your achievement with a cold beer and city-to-sea views. The new Grouse Bike Park adds even more adventure with 11 trails and three learning zones for all skill levels.
• Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – Adventure is in the air! Cross the 137-metre (449-foot) bridge swaying 70 metres (229 feet) above the forest floor, then follow treetop walkways and cliff-hugging paths through coastal rainforest.
• Sea to Sky Corridor to Squamish – A 1.5-hour drive along one of the the most scenic highways in the world brings you to Squamish, the adventure capital of BC. The new Squamish Canyon delivers elevated thrills with suspension bridges, lookout platforms, and skywalks weaving through rock faces and forested ravines.

Discover the Wild Side of the World Cup

While the world's top footballers battle it out at FIFA World Cup 26™, the wildest athletes of BC keep their eyes on the prize. In one of the most biodiverse regions in North America, grizzlies patrol like seasoned defenders, humpbacks make splashy moves, and sockeye salmon stage the comeback of a lifetime. Here's how to secure front-row seats to nature's most electrifying performances:

• Grizzlies in the Great Bear Rainforest – These apex predators roam the Great Bear Rainforest—part of the largest coastal temperate rainforest in the world—pouncing on salmon with precision and power. Catch the action: Sea Wolf Adventures hosts grizzly bear viewing paired with cultural experiences led by Indigenous knowledge keepers. The business recently partnered with Sointula Lodge to offer three-night adventure packages. How to get there: Fly to Port Hardy, taxi to Port McNeill, then take a transfer by boat to the Lodge.
• Mountain wildlife in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast – Mountain goats on cliff faces, caribou in alpine meadows, and black bears near rivers and creeks—these alpine athletes rule BC's backcountry. Catch the action: Cariboo Chilcotin Jetboat Adventures leads a five-hour wildlife tour among rivers, canyons, and rapids enhanced by fascinating facts about the Gold Rush in BC. How to get there: A one-hour flight or six-hour drive from Vancouver puts you right in the action.
• Salmon spawning in the Shuswap – In fall 2026, hundreds of thousands of sockeye salmon will stage the ultimate comeback, returning to the Adams River in BC's Shuswap region—a natural spectacle that peaks every four years during the dominant salmon run. Catch the action: The month-long Salute to the Sockeye festival honours this rare event with Indigenous cultural events, storytelling, and a welcome from the Little Shuswap Lake Band on Oct. 7, 2026. How to get there: The river is a five-hour drive from Vancouver.
• Whales splashing off Vancouver's coast – Orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, and bald eagles turn the Salish Sea into their arena, each putting on a signature show. Catch the action: Wild Whales, one of Vancouver's oldest marine operators, leads conservation-focused excursions with guaranteed sightings. How to get there: Tours depart from Granville Island in Vancouver.

Global Game, Local Welcome—Diverse Experiences in a World Cup Destination

At the FIFA World Cup, every match is a meeting of nations—and in BC, the same is true off the pitch. As Canada's most ethnically diverse province, where 30% of residents were born outside the country, BC is one of North America's most inclusive and welcoming regions. More than 200 languages are spoken here, including 36 distinct First Nations languages that preserve the ancestral knowledge of Indigenous Peoples across the land. With a longstanding tradition of hospitality, this is where the beautiful game meets a beautifully multicultural destination.

Indigenous Culture at the Heart

BC is home to more than 200 First Nations, each with distinct stories, languages, and traditions:

• Visit the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler for immersive exhibits and guided tours.
• Sẁiẁs Spirit Tours leads guests through the Okanagan desert, visiting unique sites like Spotted Lake as well as local wineries.
• Paddle traditional canoes or join forest walks with Talaysay Tours, which combines oral history with ecological education.

Culinary Crossovers Worth Cheering For

From street food to fine dining, the food scene in BC is as diverse as its people:

• Savour pan-Asian flavours at the Richmond Night Market, one of the largest in North America.
• Enjoy locally grown produce and vineyard views in Kelowna, recently named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, the first in Canada.
• Experience Salmon n' Bannock, the only First Nations restaurant in Vancouver, showcasing local Indigenous ingredients with a modern, innovative twist.
• Dine at a MICHELIN-starred restaurant in Vancouver to experience culinary talent that rivals any global food capital.

Global celebration spaces across Vancouver

During World Cup season, Vancouver's neighbourhoods turn into lively fan zones, each with their own cultural flavour:

• Settle in at a delicatessen, espresso bar, or pizzeria in Little Italy, an eight-block stretch along Commercial Drive in Vancouver.
• Discover the spice markets, fabric shops, and dosa houses of the Punjabi Market, a three-block area in the Sunset neighbourhood—home to one of the largest South Asian communities in Canada.
• Discover a century of history at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre and the Chinese Canadian Museum in Chinatown, the largest in Canada.

From Stadium to Skyline, Kick Off a Rainforest to Rockies Roadtrip in Vancouver

When the final whistle blows at FIFA World Cup 26™, the adventure begins. Vancouver is the starting line for one of the most legendary road trips in Canada: Rainforest to Rockies, a spectacular route moving from coastal rainforest to mountain summits, glacier-fed lakes, Indigenous cultural experiences, and wildlife-rich wilderness:

• Sea to Sky Highway – One of the most scenic drives in the world, this 1.5-hour coastal stretch passes ocean fjords, waterfalls, and rainforest peaks en route to Whistler.
• Whistler – Alpine hikes, mountain biking trails, lake beaches, ziplines, and forest spas define this premier mountain resort in North America.
• Kamloops – Visit the Secwe̓pemc Museum and Heritage Park or attend the Kamloopa Powwow to learn about local Indigenous culture.
• Fraser Canyon – Dig into the Gold Rush history of BC, then hop aboard Hell's Gate Airtram to see what happens when 750 million litres of water tries to make its way through a 33-metre (110-foot) narrowing.
• Golden – Surrounded by five national parks, this alpine town is home to towering peaks, wildflower-filled meadows, and the Golden Skybridge—the highest suspension bridge in Canada.

Goal-worthy Getaways: Discover BC by Air, Sea, and Rail

With FIFA World Cup 26™ bringing the world to Vancouver, the adventure doesn't stop at the stadium gates. In BC, the journey is part of the experience—and every route comes with a view. Whether you're here for the matches or simply soaking up the World Cup energy, these quick getaways by air, sea, and rail offer memorable ways to venture beyond the city:

• By air – Take to the skies with Seair Seaplanes, offering scenic flights right from Vancouver Harbour. The company recently introduced a downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria route, a 30-minute commute over the Salish Sea that's both efficient and unforgettable.
• By sea – Hop aboard Hullo Ferries and sail to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island in just 70 minutes. With service for foot passengers and small pets only, it's a relaxing ride perfect for spotting marine wildlife—no car (or travel planning) required.
• By rail – The Rocky Mountaineer's “First Passage to the West” connects Vancouver to Banff and Lake Louise via one of the most scenic rail routes in the world. With panoramic glass-domed coaches, regionally inspired cuisine, and luxury hotel stays each night, the journey is a first-class experience worthy of a World Cup final.

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Image attached: City of Vancouver, British Columbia. Photo credit Destination Vancouver

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For more information please contact:
Destination British Columbia Australia/NZ Team

Lizzie Doyle, prMedia lizzie@pr-marketing.com.au
Joanne Motta, Country Manager joanne.motta@destinationbc.com.au