These items are banned from BC Place during FIFA World Cup in Vancouver
Excitement is growing ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver.
But, for those attending one of the seven matches at BC Place, there’s a list of things to know.
For starters, match attendees are being told by FIFA to enter the match via the east side of Pacific Boulevard, making it drastically different from a typical Vancouver Whitecaps or BC Lions game.
That may explain why there’s a fenced fortress currently surrounding the stadium.
Aside from that, there’s a laundry list of items that fans are not allowed to bring into BC Place.
Of course, there are the obvious ones like weapons and explosives, but FIFA’s list goes far beyond that.
FIFA has a list of objects “that could be used as a weapon,” including golf umbrellas, beach umbrellas, motorcycle helmets, and hard hats.
It has also listed helmets as a banned item, citing that they could be designed for concealing a person’s identity. Don’t plan on wearing a corset either, as it was put in the category of “body protection gear.”
As FIFA’s banned list moves further away from Captain Obvious territory, other seemingly harmless items, such as inflatable balls and balloons, are also prohibited. Frisbees are also banned.
There is also some potential bad news for Vancouver’s weed enthusiasts.
While marijuana isn’t specifically a banned item, FIFA is banning anything where “the use of which can result in the generation of smoke, heat, and/or flames, including lighters, matches” except for cigarettes and electronic smoking devices. Bring joints at your own peril.
Flasks, unsurprisingly, are banned, but so are thermoses, bottles, cups, jars, and cans. FIFA did state that a clear, reusable, empty bottle up to 1L can be brought into the stadium.
For those who want to bring a comfy seat cushion for insulation on BC Place’s plastic chairs, make sure it doesn’t have zippers or pockets, as that constitutes a banned item.
Other peculiar banned items include permanent markets, paints, “significant quantities of paper,” and any quantity of “powdery materials, flour, or similar substances” (although makeup elements like compact powder, blush, eye shadow, lipstick, and lip gloss are okay).
Fans attending FIFA World Cup games at BC Place must bring a clear, plastic bag no bigger than 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches.
Small purses and wallets are permitted, as long as they are no larger than 4.5 inches x 6.5 inches.
The first FIFA World Cup game at BC Place will occur on Saturday, June 13, between Turkey and Australia.