FIFA Fan Festival hits capacity as knockout rounds loom
The PNE venue reached its 25,000-person limit on Sunday, with attendance potentially soaring as Canada readies for World Cup play.
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Vancouver's FIFA Fan Festival hit maximum capacity for the first time on Sunday, forcing organizers to switch to a one-in, one-out system during Canada's match against South Africa.
The festival, held on the PNE fairgrounds at Hastings Park, has a max capacity of 25,000 at any given time, including the new amphitheatre that holds 10,000. Total attendance on Sunday was 29,333. The record-high attendance so far came on June 18, when 40,943 fans came to the park on the day Canada played Qatar at BC Place.
The festival has been closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so far, and this week it'll also be closed on Wednesday — timing that isn't ideal for World Cup fans wanting to watch the knockout round matches scheduled or spend Canada Day at the park. The FIFA Fan Festival reopens Thursday from 12 p.m. to midnight. Portugal vs. Croatia airs at 4 p.m., and Switzerland vs. Algeria, being held at BC Place, will air at 8 p.m. Concerts at the amphitheatre that day include JJ Wilde (6:50 p.m.) and Simple Plan (10:10 p.m.).
Expect the park to be especially busy on Saturday morning, when Canada plays next at 10 a.m. Check the FIFA Fan Festival schedule before attending, and keep in mind there are other watch parties around the city.
