Here are the three major gathering spots that have attracted huge crowds, each offering different experiences for eager, jersey-wearing footie fanatics.
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Soccer mania has erupted in Vancouver with Team Canada’s pride-pumping 6-0 win over Qatar and endless sunshine luring thousands of fans to outdoor viewing spaces.
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Restaurants and bars with screens showing World Cup games have been packed. The Granville Island watch party, with a seven-metre viewing screen and room for 1,000 people, has been popular.
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Across Metro Vancouver, other cities are embracing the games. Surrey is broadcasting 100 games in three Soccer Fan Zone locations: downtown Civic Plaza, the Cloverdale Agriplex, and the South Surrey Athletic Park. Delta is running Soccer Fan Zones at the North Delta Recreation Centre and the Ladner Village Pop-Up Park. And Richmond is hosting watch parties at various locations, culminating with a closing event July 19 at Aberdeen Neighbourhood Park. But there are three major gathering spots that have attracted huge crowds, each offering different experiences for eager, jersey-wearing footie fanatics. FOLLOW OUR COVERAGE: Canada vs Switzerland Live: The fans, the march, the match
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Fan Fest
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Sunrise
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Venue: PNE Grounds, 2901 E. Hastings St.
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Hours: Free entry on June 24. Opens 11 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. Times vary by day, so visit the posted schedule at vancouverfwc26.ca for daily updates.
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Screens: The main event location is the new Freedom Mobile Arch amphitheatre with a trio of large LED screens. The Park Stage is the second large viewing zone with both main stage screen and rear screen set back for improved viewing while standing. There are a total of 11 other live broadcast locations at the PNE. A full map is available at vancouverfwc26.ca.
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Seating: The amphitheatre has capacity for 10,000, with tiered and ground seating on the upper grassy area.
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Arrival time: Free seating is on a first come, first served basis, so arrive early for prime sight lines. Given the interest in the Canada vs. Switzerland game will be, the site could fill up.
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Food: Food ranges includes amphitheatre concessions, food trucks and booths serving a wide variety of options across the site. Limited table seating is provided at shared picnic tables, as well as some bench and ground seating.
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Entertainment: The amphitheatre will feature Los Duendes at 2:10 p.m. and Bob Moses at 8:10 p.m. The Park Stage also showcases DJs and bands. There is a selection of interactive games, exhibits and displays across the site.
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Vibe: The amphitheatre features a party atmosphere with spontaneous chants coming from the standing room space on the floor, up to folks dancing in the tiers. The Park Stage’s outdoor scene lacks shade but has a welcome water misting zone and some nearby shaded areas should you overheat. The crowd is packed in tight, frequently moving and very lively. Smaller children will have trouble seeing the broadcast.
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Those looking for a more chilled environment can check out the many smaller viewing screens across the site. The grassy knoll at the Neighbourhood is comfortable with a great selection of leading restaurant food outlets from Vij, Nuba and others.
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Canada Soccer House
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Venue: The Shipyard Commons at Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver
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Hours: Based on the first and last match of the day. On June 24, it is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Screens: The main screen is massive at nine metres wide, and is easily viewable from the back of the 20,000-square-foot commons area. There is an additional smaller screen nearby, where the volume and crowds are a bit less boisterous.
