It’s finally here. After years of build-up and anticipation, the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins Thursday, June 11. Vancouver will host its first match on Saturday, June 13. If you’re not keen to pay the steep prices soccer’s governing body has demanded to attend matches at B.C. Place, but you’re still looking to soak in the atmosphere of the games, public viewing events are a great option. From the official FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE to neighbourhood watch parties in the suburbs, here’s where you can celebrate the World Cup in public, usually for free, over the next month and a half. Please note this list does not include bars and restaurants that are showing games, though those are also excellent places to enjoy the tournament. The focus here is public watch parties set up specifically because of the World Cup. If any are missing from this list, please feel free to bring them to our attention by emailing vancouverdigitalnews@bellmedia.ca. Vancouver FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver Where: The PNE, Hastings Park, 2901 E Hastings St. When: Hours vary depending on the matches and concerts scheduled, visit the festival website for full details. Opening dates are June 11 through 14, June 17 through 21, June 24 through 28, July 2 through 5, July 7, July 9 through 12, July 14 through 15 and July 17 through 19. Admission: Free, but amphitheatre tickets are available for purchase. More info: https://vancouverfwc26.ca/fifa-fan-festival Granville Island Watch Party Where: Lot 55, 1411 Railspur Alley, Granville Island When: June 11 through July 19, hours vary with match schedule Admission: Free More info: https://granvilleisland.com/watchparty Granville Street pedestrian zone Where: Granville Street between Georgia and Davie streets downtown When: June 11 through July 19 Admission: Free, but city statements about the closure have not mentioned public viewing screens, so you may need to patronize local businesses to watch matches More info: https://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/granville-st-transform-pedestrian-zone-summer-mar-2026.aspx Tribuna Latina Fan Zone Where: Latincouver’s Latin Plaza Hub, 68 Water St. When: All matches involving Latin American squads, June 11 through July 19 Admission: Free, but suggested donation is $5 and space is limited. Book online in advance. More info: https://www.latincouver.ca/events-calendar/ Pitchside Patio Where: Bentall Centre’s Dunsmuir Patio, 1025 Dunsmuir St. When: June 11, 15, 16, 19, 22, 29 and 30, July 3, 9, 10, 14 and 15. Hours vary depending on match times. Visit the Bentall Centre website for full details. Admission: Free More info: https://www.bentallcentre.com/pitchside-patio/ Soccer in the Square Where: Norman MacKenzie Square at UBC’s Wesbrook Village, 3378 Wesbrook Mall When: Every match Admission: Free More info: https://www.liveatubc.ca/event/soccer-in-the-square/ Game Days at South Flats Where: 1155 E. 6th Ave. When: June 11 through 13 and June 18 through 21. Hours vary depending on match times. Visit Low Tide Properties’ website for the full schedule. Admission: Free, but space is limited and tickets can be booked online to ensure entry. More info: https://www.lowtideproperties.com/event/game-days/ Pitchside Patio Parties Where: Junction Public Market, Granville Square, 200 Granville St. When: June 11 through July 19, during market hours (closed Mondays) Admission: Free More info: https://junctionpublicmarket.com/ Gastown United Viewing Party Where: Carrall Street Alley, 1 Alexander St. When: Friday, July 3, Round of 32 matches at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Admission: Free More info: https://gastown.org/gastown-united/ Surrey Civic Plaza Fan Zone Where: Surrey Civic Plaza, 13450 104 Ave. When: Every match, though the “full fan zone experience” will only be available on certain dates. Admission: Free More info: https://www.surreysoccerfanzones.ca/ Cloverdale Agriplex Fan Zone Where: Cloverdale Agriplex, 17763 62 Ave. When: All matches from July 1 through July 19 Admission: Free More info: https://www.surreysoccerfanzones.ca/ South Surrey Athletic Park Fan Zone Where: South Surrey Athletic Park, 14600 20 Ave. When: Semi-finals onward, July 14, 15, 18 and 19 Admission: Free More info: https://www.surreysoccerfanzones.ca/ Holland Park Fan Zone Where: Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Rd. When: Third place and final matches only, June 18 and 19 Admission: Free More info: https://www.surreysoccerfanzones.ca/ Richmond Richmond Celebrates Soccer Where: Various locations around Richmond When: Kickoff event June 12 at Richmond Oval, final event July 19 at Aberdeen Neighbourhood Park, various community events in between, see website for details. Admission: Free More info: https://www.richmondcelebratessoccer.ca/ Outdoor screenings at CF Richmond Centre Where: CF Richmond Centre, 6551 No. 3 Rd. When: June 18 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and June 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (during Canada matches at B.C. Place) Admission: Free More info: https://shops.cadillacfairview.com/property/cf-richmond-centre/news-events/e/outdoor-game-screenings Burnaby Game On Watch Party Where: Brentwood Plaza and TABLES Lounge at The Amazing Brentwood, 4567 Lougheed Hwy. When: June 11 through July 19, showing all matches except those airing after 9 p.m., due to city bylaws. Admission: Free More info: https://theamazingbrentwood.com/game-on-watch-party/ New Westminster Fired Up for Football Where: Various locations in New Westminster, see website for details When: Canada match days (June 12, 18 and 24) and World Cup Final (July 19) Admission: Free More info: https://www.newwestcity.ca/fired-up North Vancouver Canada Soccer House Where: The Shipyards, 125 Victory Ship Way When: All matches shown June 11 through July 19, with special programming on June 11 through 13, 17 through 18, 20 through 21, 23 through 24, and 26, as well as July 1, 2 and 7. Admission: Free More info: https://www.cnv.org/parks-recreation/the-shipyards/canada-soccer-house-at-the-shipyards Grouse Mountain Natural Watch Party Where: Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way When: During England vs. Panama on June 27, kickoff at 2 p.m. Admission: Sold out More info: https://naturalwatchparties.com/ Coquitlam Summer of Soccer Where: Various locations around Coquitlam, see website for details When: June 12 and 24, plus July 1 and 19 Admission: Free More info: https://coquitlam.ca/1461/Summer-of-Soccer-in-Coquitlam Port Coquitlam PoCo’s Soccer Socials Where: Outside the Jon Baillie Arena at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre, 2150 Wilson Ave. When: June 11 through July 19, showing most matches, but not late-night kickoffs Admission: Free More info: https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/explore-poco/events/pocos-soccer-socials Delta Ladner Village Soccer Fan Zone Where: Ladner Village Pop-Up Park, 4926 Chisholm St. When: June 11 through July 19, open every day except July 13, showing all matches except late-night kickoffs. Admission: Free More info: https://delta.ca/soccerfanzones North Delta Soccer Fan Zone Where: North Delta Recreation Centre, 11415 84 Ave. When: June 11 through July 19, showing all matches except late-night kickoffs Admission: Free More info: https://delta.ca/soccerfanzones Maple Ridge Game On 2026 Maple Ridge Where: Memorial Peace Park (most dates) and ACT Arts Centre (July 1 and 15) When: June 12, 18, and 24, as well as July 1, 14, 15 and 19 Admission: Free More info: https://www.mapleridge.ca/explore-maple-ridge/festivals-events/game-2026 Langley Global Game Day Where: Civic Plaza at Langley City Hall, 20399 Douglas Cres. When: June 18, July 2, July 7 and July 19 Admission: Free More info: https://www.langleycity.ca/community-culture/arts-culture/events-calendar/global-game-day Township viewing opportunities Where: The stadium at Langley Events Centre, 7888 200 St. When: June 12, 18 and 24 for Canada matches, plus quarterfinals on July 9 through 11, semi-finals on July 14 and 15 and the final on July 19 Admission: Free More info: https://www.tol.ca/en/news/township-of-langley-hosting-free-soccer-viewing-opportunities.aspx
