Everything you should know about Vancouver's FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver is ready to kick off.
Located on the PNE grounds, the FIFA Fan Festival is free to attend, though there are some ticketed options located within Hastings Park. Event organizers have advertised 70+ live match broadcasts, 120+ artist performances, and “immersive on-site experiences.”
“FIFA Fan Festival is an inclusive, family-friendly event for fans of all ages,” organizers say.
The FIFA Fan Festival is open for 28 days during the World Cup, which extends from June 11 to July 19. Opening day is Thursday, with the festival open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
After attending a media tour of the festival site, here’s what you should know.
What’s free at FIFA Fan Festival and what’s not?
This has probably caused the most confusion.
The FIFA Fan Festival is free to enter and roam about, with just one notable exception at the Amphitheatre.
FIFA Fan Festival map. (FIFA World Cup 2026 Vancouver)
Matches will be broadcast live on screens across the festival site.
The Park Stage is sure to be a popular spot. It’s completely free, with concerts and large screens for match viewing.
The Park Stage, which will host match viewing parties and concerts, is totally free (Kenny Ho/Daily Hive)
You can also watch matches in other areas of the festival site, like the Vineyard, which has picnic tables set up.
The Vineyard. (Kenny Ho/Daily Hive)
The main event is at the brand new PNE Amphitheatre, and that’s where you’ll see a mix of free and ticketed entry.
Three Amphitheatre options
There are three options for attending viewing parties and concerts at the Amphitheatre, with tickets available via TicketLeader:
- Reserved seats ($100+)
- General admission lawn ($44.25)
- General admission floor (free)
To get the best sight lines, the free general admission floor section is your best bet. It’s the closest spot to the screens to watch games and the stage to experience concerts. But there are drawbacks.
It’s a first-come, first-served section. That means you’ll likely need to wait in line if you’re looking to catch a high-profile match or one of the more popular concerts.
There are also no in-and-out privileges, though Daily Hive has confirmed that you do have the ability to use the Amphitheatre bathroom or concession stands without having to line up again.
It’s also a concrete floor, without seats.
Amphitheatre seating map (PNE)
Reserved seats are expensive, but clearly offer the most convenient and comfortable experience. It guarantees your spot in the Amphitheatre and you get a seat.
General admission lawn tickets offer a happy medium. You’re guaranteed a spot in the Amphitheatre at a more reasonable price, but you’ll be sitting on the ground. You’re also far away from the stage and without overhead cover to protect you from the sun or rain.
Both reserved seating and general admission lawn tickets also grant you fast-track entry into the festival site.
Are the Amphitheatre TV screens big enough?
The view from the floor of the PNE Amphitheatre. (Kenny Ho/Daily Hive)
The Amphitheatre is beautiful. It’s going to be a special place to attend concerts and other events.
But some people on social media have questioned if the television screens are big enough for watching soccer matches.
I must admit, I share this concern.
The view from the last row of the PNE Amphitheatre. (Rob Williams/Daily Hive)
If you’re on the general admission floor, the screens are certainly big enough. There’s a large screen behind the stage, as well as two smaller screens on either side of the stage.
But if you’re on the lawn or far back in the seating area? You’ll be able to see the match, but you might find the screen a little small.
How much food and drinks cost
Ok, now to the important stuff.
The Fan Festival features a loaded lineup of 32 food vendors, featuring a wide variety of cuisines from around the world. The prices vary quite a bit, but the options are significantly more elevated than what you’d find at the PNE Fair.
You can buy a taco from La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop for as low as $6.
La Taqueria has a taco shop set up. (Rob Williams/Daily Hive)
Butter chicken with cumin rice from Peacock by Vij’s is $20.
Vij’s is serving up Indian food. (Rob Williams/Daily Hive)
Drink costs are in line with what you’d expect to see at the PNE, which is a nice change of pace from the usual FIFA price gauging.
You can buy a beer for as cheap as $9.50, while a bottle of Coca-Cola is $5.
Drink prices are what you’d expect at the PNE. (Rob Williams/Daily Hive)
Are the drinks cheaper at home? Of course. But this is probably the best you could hope for.