'What an absolute joke': FIFA takes control of BC Place and kicks out a local sports museum
FIFA has forced the BC Sports Hall of Fame to pack up and leave its usual home in BC Place.
As of May 14, FIFA has full exclusivity over the stadium, according to an email from PavCo, the provincial Crown corporation that runs BC Place.
“All decisions around the stadium and access are theirs until the tournament is over in July,” said PavCo in an email to Daily Hive.
Jason Beck, the hall’s curator and facility director, shared his thoughts about the move on X.
“What an absolute joke. Maybe the worst day I’ve had in 23+ years working at the BC Sports Hall of Fame,” he wrote.
He also shared a story about an interaction his team experienced with a FIFA employee.
“A person wearing a FIFA vest approached our staff yesterday while we moved artifacts out. “Why are you still here?” this person asked us. “It’s our last day, we’re moving out,” one of our team replied. “Ok that’s good,” the FIFA rep answered. Unreal. I almost lost it.”
What an absolute joke. Maybe the worst day I’ve had in 23+ years working at the BC Sports Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/BCJJKB6U2U
— Jason D Beck (@JasonBeck82) May 15, 2026
PavCo said that BC Sports Hall of Fame is a “valued partner.”
“We appreciate the acknowledgement they have given to BC Place as we’ve worked closely with them to provide support where we can,” they said.
The Crown corporation said they have waived rent for the museum in 2025 and 2026 to help it with ongoing financial challenges, and will provide it with several newly renovated spaces at no cost as part of the stadium upgrades.
On Reddit, people shared their distaste for FIFA’s decision.
“I’ve never cared about the BC Sports Hall of Fame for one second in my whole life. But suddenly I am ready to ride at dawn to fight for it,” someone wrote.
“As someone who has never been to BC Sports Hall of Fame, I’m outraged at not only there not being compensation for the closure, but also the closure itself,” another person said.
They continued: “There will be a lot of tourists coming into Vancouver from all over the world, who may want to experience local sports culture and history, alongside their football, of course.”
“I’m not a fan of soccer and this is making me hate it now,” a third commenter said.
Other groups are also dealing with ramifications from FIFA, with the City closing the Hastings Skate Park to accommodate the FIFA Fan Festival and Dragon Boat BC cancelling its long-running Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival in June.
Vancouver is hosting seven soccer matches from June 13 to July 7.