TransLink announces transit options for FIFA World Cup in Vancouver | CBC News
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Metro Vancouver’s transit authority has revealed a dedicated bus route to a fan festival during the upcoming FIFA World Cup — though there are also set to be a number of road closures downtown on matchdays.
B.C. Place stadium in downtown Vancouver is set to host seven games as part of the continent-wide competition, and the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) Amphitheatre will host a fan festival for the duration of the event.
On Tuesday, as Metro Vancouver marked 100 days until the start of the World Cup, TransLink said that it anticipates 600 additional bus trips per day during the competition, and it will run SkyTrains and SeaBuses more frequently on matchdays.
In addition, a dedicated shuttle to and from the PNE will stop at the Millennium Line’s Renfrew station and the Expo Line’s 29th Avenue station over the course of the competition — similar to the dedicated shuttle for the Playland amusement park every summer.
“More service on all of our modes is critical, not just for fans and visitors, but also for all of the locals here who rely on our system every day,” said TransLink spokesperson Anita Bathe on Tuesday.
Bathe noted there will be a number of road closures downtown on matchdays — part of a suite of changes mandated by Vancouver’s hosting agreement with FIFA, which include everything from temporary surveillance cameras to extended allowances for noise.
On matchdays, B.C. Place will be inaccessible from the Expo Line’s Stadium-Chinatown station, as well as the Canada Line’s Yaletown-Roundhouse station. Instead, commuters using the SkyTrain will have to get off at the Expo Line’s Main Street-Science World station.
“It’s also important to note that riders should expect more crowding, more vehicles on the road and detours to bus services to navigate road closures,” Bathe said.
“Our best advice is to give yourself as much time as possible and to know before you go.”
A full list of expanded transit options and road closures will be posted on TransLink’s website.
Vancouver’s host committee says more details on road impacts will be shared closer to the start of the tournament.
Among the changes is a closure for a stretch of Pacific Boulevard, between the Canada Line’s Yaletown-Roundhouse station and the Expo Line’s Main Street-Science World station.
Signs of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup are slowly beginning to emerge in Metro Vancouver. As the CBC’s Johna Baylon reports, with 100 days to go it’s all hands on deck with celebrations and preparations.
It isn’t just Vancouver that’s hosting a free fan festival for the World Cup.
Surrey will host fan zones at the Surrey Civic Plaza, Cloverdale Agriplex and South Surrey Athletic Park.