Vancouver is consistently touted on travel lists for its natural beauty and scenic attractions; however, the city was recently selected as a top place to visit next year for a very different reason.
Don’t worry, it wasn’t because of the Gastown Steam Clock.
National Geographic recently compiled a list of the best places in the world to travel to in 2026.
“From a legendary Alpine range to a less-travelled but no less stunning alternative to the Mediterranean, here are the year’s must-visit destinations, handpicked by National Geographic’s editors, photographers, and adventurers,” it said of the list.
Vancouver was only one of three Canadian destinations on the list, alongside Quebec and the readers’ choice winner, Banff.
“Vancouver has a total of nine beaches, including Third Beach at Furguson Point, located on the western shore of Stanley Park. It is a quiet swimming spot with impressive sunset views, and it’s ideal for picnics, with concession stands and public restrooms nearby,” National Geographic said of the city.
However, it wasn’t the city’s natural beauty and scenic experiences that earned Vancouver a nod from National Geographic. It was because of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
National Geographic
“Grab a place in the stands at BC Place for the world’s most watched sporting event, when Vancouver hosts seven FIFA World Cup games next June and July,” the publication said.
It went so far as to call Vancouver the best place to catch the World Cup if you were planning to visit one of the 16 North American host cities.
National Geographic said Vancouver is a good place to be for the soccer tournament, even if you don’t have a ticket to see a game at BC Place.
“No ticket? Head to the FIFA Fan Festival at Hastings Park for bands, food vendors, and live soccer matches broadcast on a huge amphitheatre screen.”
While FIFA was the main reason the now Disney-owned publication encouraged readers to go to Vancouver, it didn’t forget about everything else we know and love about the city, pointing out other attractions.
“Away from the FIFA festivities, explore Vancouver’s wild side. Roughly a tenth of the coastal city’s 28,170 acres is parkland, and you’ll spot orcas and humpback whales among the marine life in the harbour,” it said.
“Fifteen minutes outside the city, Grouse Mountain has 12 lift-serviced mountain-biking trails through forested terrain. The Grouse Gravity Coaster, a two-person seated ride, careens 298 vertical feet down the mountain. And of course, you can always hike the challenging 1.6-mile trail to the summit, where the vistas take in the surrounding peaks, the city, and the Strait of Georgia.”
Are you going to stay in town when the world arrives for the World Cup next year?