The 2026 World Cup Arrives in Vancouver: BC Place Hosts Australia vs. Turkey

Updated: 2026-06-17 | Real-time information is subject to official announcements.

Vancouver’s World Cup opened with an upset. At 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, BC Place was ablaze with lights as Australia faced Turkey, who had returned to the World Cup stage after a 24-year absence, and in the end Australia walked away with a 2-0 win. This was the first match of the 2026 World Cup on Canada’s west coast, and the first time the city had truly hosted the World Cup; that night, the atmosphere downtown was very different from the usual Vancouver.

This was the opening match of Group D. The same group also includes hosts the United States and Paraguay, and the day before the United States had thrashed Paraguay, so whoever took the three points first in this Australia vs. Turkey match was crucial. On paper before the match Turkey ranked ahead of Australia in the world rankings and was slightly favoured, but the result turned out the other way around. Australia head coach Tony Popovic boldly fielded several players making their World Cup debuts: 22-year-old goalkeeper Patrick Beach started in place of veteran goalkeeper Mat Ryan and made 8 saves over the match, the most of any goalkeeper in the tournament at that point, repeatedly neutralizing Turkey’s threats. As for the goals, Nestory Irankunda scored in the 27th minute, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Australia’s World Cup history; Connor Metcalfe then sealed the win with a long-range low shot in the 75th minute. FIFA President Infantino was also in attendance, and the officially announced attendance was 52,497, a near-capacity crowd.

This was also the debut of BC Place’s temporary natural turf. To meet FIFA’s turf requirements, the venue laid a layer of temporary natural grass over its original artificial turf, maintained with irrigation, ventilation, and UV lighting systems. Fans on site may not necessarily notice it, but it is one of the prerequisites for this indoor stadium to host the World Cup.

Australia vs. Turkey is just the beginning. BC Place will host a total of 7 matches this World Cup, running from mid-June through to early July, including two home matches for the Canadian team. If you’re still planning which match to watch, or want to work a trip in while you’re at it, you can refer to the table below (the schedule and times are subject to FIFA’s official announcements, and the knockout-stage matchups depend on the group-stage results):

For fans living in the Greater Vancouver area, the most anticipated are of course the Canadian team’s two home matches on June 18 and 24. If you plan to grab in-person tickets for these two matches, be sure to go through FIFA’s official ticketing channels, and steer clear of private-message resales on social media or sketchy screenshot tickets from unknown sources. For the full schedule, you can also check our complete group-stage schedule page.

The biggest transport advantage of watching a match at BC Place is that “the stadium is right downtown.” It’s located at 777 Pacific Blvd, and the nearest SkyTrain station is Stadium-Chinatown, just a few minutes’ walk from the exit; the Expo Line and other lines all reach it, and you can also get there from the airport by transferring via the Canada Line. On match days the downtown area sees heavy traffic and parking is scarce and expensive, so driving in yourself is usually not worth it, and taking the SkyTrain is the smoother choice for most people. World Cup security screening is stricter than at a typical concert, so it’s recommended to arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes early, and even earlier for the opening or major matches; the venue has restrictions on what you can bring and the size of bags, and clear bags usually have an easier time getting through, so before you set out please go by the official entry rules of BC Place and FIFA. When the crowd leaves, with over 50,000 people heading to the station at the same time, Stadium-Chinatown station will be extremely crowded; on match days ride-hailing waits are long and pickup points are often restricted, so rather than getting stuck in place, it’s better to allow extra time to walk or simply take the SkyTrain. BC Place is an indoor, roofed stadium, so rain has little impact on watching the match, but on the walk to the venue June sometimes brings showers, so it’s safer to bring a jacket.

If you didn’t get tickets, or don’t want to spend money to go in, that’s fine too, as Vancouver has spread the match-watching atmosphere across the city this time. The official FIFA Fan Festival is set at the PNE grounds in Hastings Park, with free admission during the event period, running from June 11 to July 19; the grounds have big-screen broadcasts plus live performances, suitable for the whole family or anyone who just wants to join in the excitement; the opening hours each day are not necessarily the same, so it’s recommended to check that day’s times before you go. Granville Street (between Georgia and Davie) is closed to traffic and turned into a pedestrian-only zone during the tournament, with dining, outdoor seating, and street performances along the street, and it has a festive feel even if you come to stroll after a match or on an evening with no game. If you just want a place with air conditioning and beer to comfortably watch a whole match, downtown sports bars are also a solid choice, and it’s recommended to book ahead during peak times.

Overall the planning is actually pretty simple: those who want to watch in person can manage with BC Place plus the SkyTrain; those without tickets but who want to take part have the free and lively PNE Fan Festival and the Granville pedestrian zone; and families with kids will find the Fan Festival’s open space more relaxed than the stadium. What I personally remind friends of is that during the World Cup, demand for accommodation downtown and around the stadium is high and room rates fluctuate noticeably, so if you’re booking a room, try to pick a room type that can be cancelled, and factor in the travel time back to the hotel after the match. International fans should also confirm their documents for entering Canada (eTA or visa) with the authorities in advance, and not leave it until right before departure. If you want to extend this World Cup into a trip, Vancouver itself is very rewarding to explore: you can add on the coast, Whistler, or Victoria, and for city itineraries you can refer to our Vancouver guide; to find out how to watch the broadcast of each match in Canada, you can check the Canada viewing guide. To watch at home, you can use Canada’s official broadcast platforms (such as the TSN network); the actual channels and streaming methods are subject to official announcements.