Traveling
To The Games
Staying in Burnaby and heading to Vancouver for the matches? You’re in a great spot. BC Place Vancouver Stadium is accessible from here, and you’ll have a home base to return to after the celebrations. But let’s be real: match days are going to be intense. Think huge crowds, tight security, and packed trains and buses. The key is planning ahead, building in extra time, and knowing what to expect so you can focus on enjoying the experience.
Match day reality check
If you’re staying in Burnaby during this historic tournament, the single most important piece of advice is to leave your car behind. Driving to BC Place Vancouver Stadium or the FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver™ Zone is strongly discouraged due to massive road closures, zero public parking near venues, and severe congestion. Transit is the city’s preferred — and most practical — solution for moving the hundreds of thousands of fans expected throughout the tournament. Arrive early, soak up the atmosphere, and stay patient. Check Metro Vancouver’s transportation hub TransLink, and the VancouverFWC26 sites regularly for any updates.
BC Place Vancouver Stadium
Getting to BC Place Vancouver Stadium from Burnaby is straightforward via SkyTrain. Metrotown and Edmonds stations are on the Expo Line, so no transfers are needed — just ride directly to Main Street–Science World Station, the designated drop-off for the stadium. Brentwood Town Centre and Lougheed Town Centre are on the Millennium Line and require one transfer at Commercial–Broadway to connect to the Expo Line before continuing to Main Street–Science World.
It’s important to note that Stadium–Chinatown Station will be closed on all match days. All fans must approach BC Place Vancouver Stadium from the False Creek side via the “Last Mile” fan promenade along Pacific Boulevard. From Main Street–Science World, it’s a 10–15-minute walk west along the waterfront, lined with signage, volunteers, and festivities to guide you.
Road closures on the seven match days (June 13, 18, 21, 24, 26, July 2, and 7) will be extensive, typically beginning three hours before kickoff and lasting two hours after the final whistle — roughly a seven-hour window. Pacific Boulevard between Cambie and Carrall Streets is closed for the entire tournament period. A security perimeter of approximately one kilometre around BC Place Vancouver Stadium will prohibit all public vehicle access, with expanded closures on match days affecting surrounding streets.
Parking near the stadium is essentially off the table. All lots within one kilometre are reserved for FIFA World Cup 26™ Vancouver and accredited personnel only. Any parking found beyond that zone will incur steep surge pricing and still require a lengthy walk or an additional transit connection. Comparable cities, such as Los Angeles, saw FIFA World Cup™ parking rates of $250–$300 per match. The math strongly favours just skipping the car altogether.
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver™
For the FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver™ Zone at Hastings Park (PNE), transit options include a special PNE Express shuttle from 29th Avenue or Renfrew SkyTrain stations, or direct bus routes like the 130 from Metrotown, which takes roughly 30–40 minutes. Ride-hailing drop-off zones will also be available, though expect surge pricing on big match days. Arrive at least one to two hours early, and wear comfortable shoes — there will be plenty of walking no matter how you get there.
Travel options
Ride share & taxis
Uber and Lyft both operate between Burnaby and Vancouver, along with traditional taxi services. However, on Vancouver match days, expect surge pricing during peak times (especially 2-3 hours before kickoff and after matches), longer wait times due to high demand, and drop-off restrictions that will leave you several blocks from BC Place Vancouver Stadium’s security perimeter. Transit remains the most reliable and cost-effective option given the road closures and anticipated demand. Download Uber or Lyft apps in advance and take down local taxi number details. (Google: “Vancouver/Burnaby taxi.”)
Skytrain
Metro Vancouver’s public transit is operated by TransLink and includes the SkyTrain, an automated rapid transit system with several lines connecting Burnaby to downtown Vancouver and beyond. Visitors are advised to load a Compass Card for seamless travel across SkyTrain and bus—cards can be purchased at Compass Vending Machines in any SkyTrain station or at retailers like London Drugs and Shoppers Drug Mart.
Other transit options
If you’re full of energy, you can cycle to Vancouver via scenic routes like the Central Valley Greenway for a great pre-match ride, just plan to lock up well before the security perimeter. Park-and-ride lots at locations like Coquitlam Centre are another option, though arriving very early is key on match days. Member-based car-sharing services like Evo and Modo also exist. That said, transit from Burnaby’s SkyTrain stations gives you the easiest, most reliable journey straight to the action.
Burnaby Business Hosting a Soccer Event?
List Your Watch Party
If you want to reach thousands of fans looking for places to celebrate, submit your watch party or event to be featured here.