World Cup watch parties drawing crowds across Metro Vancouver
From free FIFA Fan Festival grounds to community pop-ups in Surrey and Langford, soccer fans are gathering to cheer for their nations.
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Soccer fans are flooding watch parties across Metro Vancouver as the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, with gatherings ranging from official venues to intimate community spots.
The FIFA Fan Festival at Hastings Park is the official hub, with free access to most of the grounds, ticketed seats for matches, food trucks, two concert stages, and activities. It's open daily throughout the tournament at varying hours—Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Downtown, Granville Island is showing all but 10 of the 104 matches on a huge screen under the Granville Street Bridge, with food trucks available. Gates open an hour before kick-off. Canada Square at the Library Square Pub screens every game on large-format screens both indoors and outdoors—$30 for Canada matches, $20 for all other days. Canada Soccer House at the Shipyards in North Vancouver is hosting the official Canada Soccer gathering, with players, alumni, and notable community members expected, particularly for Canadian matches.
In the suburbs, Surrey's Civic Centre Soccer Fan Zone offers free viewing of all matches this week and weekend, with capacity for close to 3,000 people. Friday runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Surrey Police have installed mobile public safety cameras to support crowd safety.
Langford's Station Avenue has been pedestrian-only through July 19 for "Langford United," featuring free World Cup viewing, food trucks, a beer garden, family fun zone, and live music and entertainment.
In Delta, Ladner Village Pop-Up Park is hosting free community watch parties for almost every match, with international food, video game tournaments, and family-friendly activities at the corner of Chisholm and Delta.
The vibe across venues is electric. On opening day Thursday, hundreds of Mexico fans packed outdoor screens, families claimed chairs in the sun or under tents, and the streets felt transformed by the shared energy of the world's biggest sporting event.