Science World to host official FIFA soccer exhibition during 2026 World Cup | Daily Hive

Science World. (Patrick Sneed/Shutterstock)

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Could Science World’s recently installed new programmable LED system — 651 lights embedded across its geodesic dome — shine in a pattern resembling a classic black-and-white soccer ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

That potential nighttime outdoor festive makeover for one of Vancouver’s most recognizable landmarks has not yet been confirmed.

But what has been confirmed is that Science World will fully embrace the FIFA World Cup spirit inside its walls, hosting an official soccer-themed exhibition from the FIFA Museum in Zurich, Switzerland.

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It was recently announced that Science World will host the North American premiere of Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum, a major travelling exhibition that explores the innovation driving the world’s most popular sport.

The exhibit opens May 15, 2026 and will run through Sept. 7, 2026, coinciding with Vancouver hosting a total of seven tournament matches at BC Place Stadium, beginning with its first group stage match on June 13, 2026 and ending with a round-of-16 knock-out match on July 7, 2026.

As well, this showcase will open just weeks before Vancouver hosts the 76th FIFA Congress on April 30, 2026 — when over 1,600 delegates from over 200 countries gather to discuss key approaches and policies for FIFA operations and the overall game, including the selection of the host countries for the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in 2028 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2031 and 2035.

Downtown Vancouver skyline, BC Place Stadium, and Science World from Southeast False Creek. (Engel Ching/Shutterstock)

Science World is already one of Vancouver’s most recognizable landmarks, but its profile will rise even further as the visual eastern gateway to a major pedestrian-only fan zone along Quebec Street and Pacific Boulevard. The vehicle-free route will connect SkyTrain’s Main Street–Science World Station to Yaletown-Roundhouse Station, guiding spectators all the way to the stadium’s secure area during the tournament.

Bringing together engineering, data science, and the global passion for soccer, the FIFA exhibition at Science World takes visitors beyond the pitch to reveal how technology is transforming every aspect of the game.

Through five interactive zones — Broadcasting and Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing and Fair Play, Staging the Game, and the Innovation Lab — guests will experience the tools shaping how soccer is played, officiated, watched, and understood.

Science & Technology from the FIFA Museum exhibit. (FIFA Museum)

“We are thrilled that Vancouver will host our exhibition’s first-ever stop in North America,” said Marco Fazzone, managing director of the FIFA Museum, in a statement.

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

Fiona Cole-Hamilton, vice president of experience and products for Science World, added, “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. By highlighting the technology behind soccer, we hope to engage new audiences and inspire the next generation of sports technologists and innovators.”

Science & Technology from the FIFA Museum exhibit. (FIFA Museum)

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.

The upcoming FIFA exhibition arrives in Vancouver with support from the Government of British Columbia, which is the presenting partner. The provincial government has also invested in Science World’s On the Road: The Science of Sport, a new travelling production designed to bring sports science demonstrations to communities across B.C.

“This exhibition will offer visiting soccer fans and locals a unique opportunity to learn about the sport in a comprehensive and engaging way,” said Anne Kang, B.C. Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

“This feature exhibition will help raise British Columbia’s profile on a global scale as a destination and tourism hub for years to come.”

During the tournament, soccer fans can also look forward to Vancouver’s major five-week-long official FIFA Fan Festival held at the PNE fairgrounds in Hastings Park, with the new 10,000-spectator capacity amphitheatre being the centrepiece. There will be live screenings of the matches, activations, and exhibits.

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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