With rain in the forecast Friday, some Vancouver soccer fans are wondering whether they’re allowed to bring umbrellas to official FIFA World Cup venues. The answer depends on where you’re headed. Under FIFA’s Stadium Code of Conduct, any items that tournament organizers believe could potentially “endanger the safety of others” are prohibited, and that includes “golf umbrellas” and “beach umbrellas.” The same goes for motorcycle helmets, bulletproof vests and a host of other items. B.C. Place has confirmed that guests are allowed to bring a “small personal umbrella,” however, so anyone attending Friday’s match between New Zealand and Belgium can stay dry on their way to the venue. This is a more lax policy than was in place at the stadium during Taylor Swift’s sold-out Eras Tour in 2024. Things are more strict for fans heading to the FIFA Fan Festival in East Vancouver, where umbrellas are prohibited altogether—as are blankets, lawn chairs, coolers and picnic baskets. The Shipyards in North Vancouver, which has drawn huge crowds during the tournament as the official Canada Soccer House, encourages umbrellas when it’s raining, as parts of the venue are not covered.
