Granville Pedestrian Zone draws thousands on World Cup opening night
Five downtown blocks transformed into a family-friendly FIFA celebration as Vancouver hosts its first men's World Cup match on home soil.
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Thousands of soccer fans descended on downtown Vancouver on Saturday, June 14, as the Granville Pedestrian Zone officially opened for the FIFA World Cup.
The five-block stretch of Granville Street between Georgia and Davie was shut down to cars and buses, creating a sea of red and white as fans gathered ahead of Vancouver hosting its first men's World Cup match on home soil. The area was transformed into a family-friendly destination with expanded patios, public seating, and interactive art installations.
Australians Tom Walker and Vanessa Zoghbi flew from New York specifically to watch their country play. "Australians aren't known for soccer," Walker said. "We will be happy if we see a goal today, very very happy."
On Granville, fans lined up for food vendors, spilled out of bars and cafés, and sipped drinks on sunny patios. The weather — hovering around 23 C to 29 C inland — drew crowds throughout the day.
Business owners reported strong early results. "Yesterday our patios were full from open to close," said William Donnellan, president of Donnellan's Irish Pub. "Both were filled inside and out; in particular, the patios have been a huge help."
Mayor Ken Sim hinted the pedestrian zone could preview a longer-term transformation of the entertainment district. "Don't be surprised if you see a lot of conversations with the City and local businesses to really focus on what worked well, what didn't and how we can incorporate the best of what you see here today into the future."
The five-block closure runs until July 19.