Downtown Vancouver, BC (photo by Albert Normandin)
With 100 days to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026™ arrives in Vancouver, British Columbia, it’s time for football fans to start planning the trip of a lifetime.
Located on the unceded territories of the Three Host First Nations – xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver is a land layered with stories. Here, glass towers rise beside ancient cedar forests. Rugged mountains frame a busy harbour. And a salty ocean breeze drifts through the city, carrying a daily promise of adventure.
Come for the beautiful game in a beautiful city. Stay for the iconic landscapes, diverse cultures, and transformative journeys that define British Columbia.
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. Canada will play Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24, both crucial games in their tournament run.
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
A group with Takaya Tours, rowing a traditional First Nations canoe in Howe Sound | Patrice Halley
Experience Coast Salish Culture In and Around Vancouver
BC is home to more than 200 First Nations, each with distinct stories, languages, and traditions. Vancouver is located on the shared, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Three Host First Nations – xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh). Across the city and surrounding communities, uncover the living traditions, artistry, and ancestral knowledge of these Coast Salish communities:
Storytelling at Vancouver International Airport (YVR): Upon arrival in BC, experience Indigenous art in a tranquil setting of water and stone, including two Welcome Figures inspired by Coast Salish house posts. The installations were born from a landmark agreement between YVR and the Musqueam Indian Band.
Takaya Tours – Coastal Journeys: Starting April 2026, paddle səlilwət (Burrard Inlet) aboard a 11-metre (35-foot) ocean-going canoe, guided by Tsleil-Waututh knowledge keepers sharing songs and stories. For self-guided adventures, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available at təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra) and Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park), about 30 minutes and one hour from downtown Vancouver, respectively.
Talaysay Tours – Talking Trees: Step into the stillness of Stanley Park, an 400-hectare (1,000-acre) rainforest in the centre of the city, on this contemplative tour led by a mother-daughter team from the Shíshálh (Sechelt) and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nations. Learn how Indigenous communities traditionally harvest food, medicine, and materials from the forest’s generous canopy.
Squamish Nation Welcome Gate: In Squamish, an hour north of Vancouver, visitors are welcomed by two 12-metre (40-foot) Coast Salish monuments by artist James Henry. Facing Howe Sound and illuminated at night, they echo the traditional figures that once greeted returning members of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation.
First Welcome Trail App: Follow a self-guided route connecting welcome poles carved by Indigenous artists across British Columbia. The app features stories, wayfinding, and walking tours that deepen understanding of living cultures and local landscapes.
A couple biking at Myra Canyon Trestles, part of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail near Kelowna | Ken Hagen
Low-impact Journeys Across British Columbia
In BC, the wonders of nature are never far—and getting there is half the adventure. After the final whistle blows at FIFA World Cup 26™, visitors can swap stadium seats for seaplanes, ferries, and rail trails, choosing memorable journeys that leave a minimal footprint:
Low-carbon flightseeing: Soar to Salt Spring Island
Carbon neutral since 2007, Harbour Air is advancing plans to electrify its fleet—a global first in commercial seaplane aviation. Its round-trip flight from downtown Vancouver to Salt Spring Island provides sweeping views of the Gulf Islands and Pacific waters, connecting travellers to the artisan studios and scenic trails on the island with a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional flights.
Sustainable by sea: Sail to Victoria aboard BC Ferries
BC Ferries is modernizing its fleet and reducing emissions as part of a long-term decarbonization strategy. Catch its 1.5-hour sailing to Victoria, a Biosphere Certified destination , for a lower-impact escape. Once ashore, slip into an emissions-free kayak and paddle through the Inner Harbour, scanning for eagles and seals as you glide past iconic attractions like the Parliament Buildings and the Fairmont Empress.
Carbon-neutral whale watching: Protect what you came to see
From March through October, visitors have strong chances of spotting orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and grey whales in the waters around Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Operators such as Eagle Wing Tours, Orca Spirit Adventures, and Prince of Whales run carbon-neutral tours that prioritize conservation science and respectful wildlife viewing – all with a whale sighting guarantee.
Step lightly: Bear watch in the Great Bear Rainforest
Journey north with BC Ferries via the Inside Passage—a “marine highway” weaving through fjords, islands, and narrow channels—to the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest on Earth. Great Bear Lodge , a floating eco-lodge powered by wind and solar energy, hosts small-group viewing from May to October, led by wildlife biologists committed to habitat stewardship and low-impact access.
Taste local, pedal further: Savour and cycle in Kelowna
Kelowna is Canada’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, recognized for sustainable food systems and strong ties to regional agriculture. Take a self-guided cycling trip along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail , stopping at acclaimed wineries for tasting flights and farm-to-table dishes that reflect local terroir.
All aboard: Ride a train to Kamloops
Rail travel is one of the most energy-efficient modes of transportation. From Vancouver, hop aboard VIA Rail for a satisfyingly slow journey to Kamloops, located in BC’s sunny southern interior. Sample local produce at the Kamloops Farmers’ Market, sip craft beer at a local brewery, and roam 26 kilometres (16 miles) of trails at Tsútswecw Provincial Park.
A taste of Australia in Whistler at Peaked Pies | Darby Magill
Global Teams, Local Ties: Cultural Connections across BC
As global nations meet at BC Place Stadium, fans can connect with their team’s cultures throughout the province. From comforting meals to shared history, here’s how to support your side—and meet new friends along the way:
Australia’s easygoing energy is echoed throughout BC. From familiar foods to café culture, Socceroos supporters can savour a taste of home—or experience it for the first time:
Peaked Pies (Vancouver & Whistler) – Tuck into handmade meat pies—kangaroo is a favourite—often “peaked” with mashed potato, mushy peas, and gravy.
Moose’s Down Under (Vancouver) – Grab a beer at this lively pub decked out with Australian memorabilia—the ideal spot to connect with fellow fans before or after kickoff.
Spilt Milk (Revelstoke) – This Australia-inspired coffee roaster and café is known for strong coffee, Aussie avo toast, and warm hospitality.
Switzerland‘s connection to BC runs deep – especially in Golden, where Swiss mountain guides helped shape Canadian alpine culture 125 years ago:
Edelweiss Village (Golden) – Built in 1911 by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a home for Swiss Guides, this historic alpine hamlet has been carefully restored, maintaining its original charm while welcoming a new generation of visitors.
Guide Days Folk Fest (Golden) – This new fall festival transforms Edelweiss Village into an alpine hub with yodelling contests, alphorn performances, and Swiss-inspired meals.
Swiss-style fondue (Whistler) – Swiss influences are so ingrained in Whistler that the village hosted a Swiss House during the 2010 Olympics; today, tuck into classic Swiss fondue at Le Refuge by Frencheese Whistler.
New Zealand’s presence in Vancouver carries cultural meaning rooted in Indigenous relationships across the Pacific:
Mark the match on Indigenous Peoples Day– Attend New Zealand’s match on this nationally significant day in Canada (June 21), with special programming across the city and province to be announced soon.
Taste Kiwi craft baking at Purebread (Whistler, Vancouver, Squamish): Started by a couple with Christchurch roots, this beloved bakery draws on New Zealand artisanship to produce stacked brownies, aromatic loaves, and decadent pastries.
As Egypt competes on the field, visitors can explore the civilization that shaped its identity thousands of years ago:
Royal BC Museum Exhibition (Victoria) – Opening June 5, 2026, a major exhibition on ancient Egypt will showcase artifacts and stories from one of the world’s most influential civilizations.
Belgium’s culinary traditions find a strong foothold in Vancouver, led by chefs who proudly celebrate their heritage:
Chambar (Vancouver) – Chef-owner Nico Schuermans, originally from Belgium, serves Belgian-inspired classics like mussels, waffles, and an extensive Belgian beer selection.
Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate Editor & Publisher, is a veteran travel writer and publisher, who is devoted to the mission of travel: to engender understanding – of self and others – and life-enhancing, life-enriching, life-changing experiences, and break down the barriers and borders dividing people, while creating the economic underpinnings to sustain environment, heritage and culture.
