First dedicated 2026 FIFA World Cup store opens at Vancouver airport | Daily Hive

First dedicated 2026 FIFA World Cup store opens at Vancouver International Airport

Official 2026 FIFA World Cup store in the post-security domestic departures area of Vancouver International Airport. (Vancouver Airport Authority)

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has opened the host city’s first dedicated 2026 FIFA World Cup official merchandise retail store, marking another milestone in preparations just under a month before the tournament kicks off.

Located post-security in the airport’s domestic departures area near the C gates, the new FIFA store offers travellers official tournament merchandise and exclusive-to-YVR items designed specifically for passengers on the move.

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The retail space is intended to bring the excitement of the FIFA World Cup directly into the travel experience while serving as a gathering point for fans arriving in and departing from Vancouver.

The merchandise selection includes caps, scarves, hoodies, mugs and other souvenirs streamlined for portability and carry-on convenience. Additional official tournament merchandise can also be found at existing retailers throughout the terminal.

vancouver yvr airport 2026 fifa world cup store

Official 2026 FIFA World Cup store in the post-security domestic departures area of Vancouver International Airport. (Vancouver Airport Authority)

YVR’s dedicated FIFA store will operate daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. through July 31, 2026.

Over the coming weeks, other FIFA stores are expected to open in Downtown Vancouver — particularly in and around BC Place Stadium, where the matches will be played — and the PNE fairgrounds at Hastings Park, which will host the five-week-long FIFA Fan Festival.

This YVR FIFA store uses a dedicated pop-up store space, which has seen previous short-term retail uses by brands such as Lululemon and Tentree.

For the 2010 Winter Olympics, the airport terminal had a total of five dedicated Olympic Stores selling official merchandise, within domestic and international areas, before and after security. The first of those stores opened in 2008, well in advance of the Games.

Additionally, YVR has begun installing official tournament-time, FIFA-branded decorations, including a multi-storey tall official FIFA-branded wrap on the glass facade of SkyTrain’s YVR Airport Station outside the terminal building. More decorations, signs, and wayfinding will be installed over the coming weeks ahead of the tournament.

fifa world cup yvr airport station may 11 2026

SkyTrain’s YVR Airport Station; FIFA World Cup Vancouver decorations, as seen on May 11, 2026. (Kenneth Chan)

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SkyTrain’s YVR Airport Station; FIFA World Cup Vancouver decorations, as seen on May 11, 2026. (Kenneth Chan)

Today’s brick-and-mortar retail launch comes as YVR ramps up preparations for the expected influx of visitors tied to the FIFA World Cup.

Airport officials note a cross-functional operational team has been assembled to maintain smooth and reliable airport operations during the tournament period. Preparations include dedicated operational roles to coordinate with FIFA volunteers and organizers, as well as a 24/7 FIFA Coordination Desk to support players, referees, media personnel and other travelling groups.

YVR is also expanding multilingual support services, offering assistance in more than 170 languages through enhanced translation capabilities.

In addition to the surge in travellers on commercial passenger airlines, YVR is also expecting a spike in private jets. YVR is working closely with airlines and private charter operators to maximize flight capacity and coordinate schedules during the tournament.

“Looking beyond FIFA, then, you know, it’s still going to be a very busy summer. The cruise ship schedule is jam-packed as well,” said Tamara Vrooman, the president and CEO of Vancouver International Airport, during her address to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade in April 2026.

Vrooman shared that the airport authority has spent roughly $8 million in recent months on maintenance and repair work to get ready for the influx of travellers for the FIFA World Cup. Extensive staff training is also underway to optimally accommodate the surge in passengers for both the tournament and cruise ships.

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