A giant match ball outside, soccer science inside: Science World embraces FIFA | Daily Hive

A giant match ball outside, soccer science inside: Science World goes all in on FIFA

Installation process of "The Beautiful Dome" outside Science World, as of May 12, 2026 (left), and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Canada Conext15 match ball in a display at the FIFA Science and Technology exhibition inside the museum (right). (Kenneth Chan)

Last week, a crew of rope access technicians began installing the temporary banner panels onto the exoskeleton structure that supports the iconic geodesic dome of Science World, as the landmark undergoes a dramatic transformation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

So far, as of the time of writing, they have already completed roughly a third of the wrap-around installation.

Over the coming weeks, crews will continue installing a total of 131 custom-fabricated, hexagon-shaped banner panels designed to resemble the adidas Trionda — the official FIFA World Cup match soccer ball, turning one of Vancouver’s most recognizable buildings into a tournament-sized public spectacle.

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This temporary 360-degree, 40-metre-diameter public art installation — called “The Beautiful Dome” — is expected to be completed in early June, and it is part of Vancouver’s broader ramp-up in preparations for the seven FIFA World Cup matches taking place at BC Place Stadium.

Once finished, the transformed dome is expected to become a major visual landmark for the steady stream of mass crowds walking through the area to reach the stadium for the matches — the only pedestrian route to reach the stadium entrance starts outside Science World on Quebec Street — and for international broadcasts. It will likely become one of the most photographed landmarks in Vancouver during the tournament.

Rope access technicians seen carefully installing hexagon-shaped banner panels onto the structure that supports Science World’s dome.

“The Beautiful Dome,” a replica of the Adidas Trionda soccer ball, will be fully installed by early June. #FIFAWorldCup https://t.co/VpRJzKjX3P pic.twitter.com/bvUW2HHVn8

— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) May 14, 2026

fifa world cup science world may 12 2026

Science World; FIFA World Cup Vancouver decoration installation process, as seen on May 12, 2026. (Kenneth Chan)

fifa world cup science world may 13 2026

Science World; FIFA World Cup Vancouver decoration installation process, as seen on May 13, 2026. (Kenneth Chan)

Science World; FIFA World Cup Vancouver decoration installation process, as seen on May 12, 2026. (Kenneth Chan)

Concept of The Beautiful Dome. (The Look Company/Science World)

Inside this temporary ginormous soccer ball, Science World has fittingly launched a new temporary feature exhibition exploring the science and technology behind the so-called “Beautiful Game” and the quadrennial tournament that is organized by the international sports federation responsible for overseeing all aspects of this particular sport globally.

This exhibition, called Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum, opened Friday, May 15, and runs through Sept. 7, 2026.

The travelling showcase, straight from FIFA’s main museum in Zurich, Switzerland, marks the exhibition’s first stop in North America.

Developed in partnership with the FIFA Museum and sponsored by the Government of British Columbia, the exhibition examines the systems and innovations shaping modern soccer — from video review technology and performance analytics to stadium operations and broadcast production.

The exhibition is divided into five themed sections: Broadcasting and Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing and Fair Play, Staging the Game, and the Innovation Lab. Visitors can explore how technology is used to support athletes, coaches, referees, and fans, both on and off the pitch.

soccer technology fifa museum exhibit science world vancouver

Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum exhibit at Science World. (Kenneth Chan)

Among the featured artifacts are the connected match ball designed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a video assistant referee monitor used during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and various decades old artifacts, such as broadcast cameras, referee uniforms, and media credentials. Some of the displays also explain FIFA’s turf and real-time match analysis technologies.

There are also several items tied to Canadian soccer history. Those include the jersey worn by Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair during Canada’s gold medal victory at the Tokyo Summer Olympics, as well as memorabilia connected to Alphonso Davies and Atiba Hutchinson from the men’s national team’s appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

As well, there is a display with a cross-section of a real Trionda, which explains the unique features of the high-tech match ball that will be used for this tournament, and an interactive display with a real Conext15, which is the match ball used for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup held only in Canada — a tournament that saw Vancouver host nine matches, including the championship final.

Science World notes the exhibition is intended to make science and innovation more accessible by connecting them to a globally recognized sport.

“As an organization committed to making science for all, we are delighted to partner with the FIFA Museum to host an exhibition that showcases the science and technology behind the world’s most popular sport at a time when soccer fans from around the world will be visiting our city,” said Fiona Cole-Hamilton, vice president of experience and products for Science World, in a statement.

“By highlighting the technology behind soccer, we hope to engage new audiences and inspire the next generation of sports technologists and innovators.”

Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum exhibit at Science World. (Kenneth Chan)

The exhibition is also expected to strengthen Vancouver’s profile among the 16 host cities of the FIFA World Cup across Canada, the United States, and Mexio.

Marco Fazzone, the managing director of the FIFA Museum, said Vancouver was selected as the exhibition’s first North American stop because of both its role as a World Cup host city and its connection to innovation and technology.

“We are thrilled that Vancouver will host our exhibition’s first-ever stop in North America. This exhibition offers fans a chance to see the game like never before — to discover the cutting-edge science that supports soccer for players, coaches, referees, and fans alike,” said Fazzone.

“There is simply no better partner than Science World to further share this fascinating story of sport and innovation.”

During the 2010 Winter Olympics, Science World made a major pivot by leasing its entire building to the organizing committee of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, which transformed the space into Sochi House — a pavilion promoting the upcoming Olympics in Russia.

Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum exhibit at Science World

When: May 15, 2026 to Sept. 7, 2026
Time: Science World operating hours
Where: Science World — 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver
Admission: Science World admission fees

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