In the name of FIFA: City of Vancouver loosens some rules and tightens others for World Cup
Vancouver is set to host seven matches at BC Place Stadium and associated fan events in June and July 2026. This includes the official FIFA Fan Festival at the new 10,000-spectator amphitheatre that will reach completion in Spring 2026.
To ensure operational readiness, event security, and compliance with FIFA’s branding requirements, the City says it must temporarily modify its regulatory framework. These changes include streamlined permitting for temporary event structures, enhanced noise flexibility, expedited graffiti removal, and limits on unlicensed commercial advertising — targeting issues such as ambush marketing by businesses and organizations that are not official FIFA sponsors and partners — during the event.
Under the proposed changes, temporary structures such as tents, modular buildings, and media platforms could be erected more easily beginning Jan. 1, 2026, ahead of the main event window of May 13 to July 20, 2026.
Crowds for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in downtown Vancouver. (Sergei Bachlakov/Shutterstock)
To help maintain a clean and welcoming city image, the report calls for faster response to graffiti — requiring removal within 24 hours of notice — and grants the City authority to remove offending markings at the owner’s expense if they do not comply. A similar approach would apply to unauthorized commercial signage infringing on FIFA’s brand protection rules, though residential privacy protections remain in place.
Noise regulations would be relaxed to support overnight servicing, international broadcast requirements, and extended event programming. Public address and music systems would be permitted to operate until midnight at designated “FIFA sites” and “City sites.”
City sites include Killarney Community Centre/Killarney Park (location of one of the two official FIFA training sites for visiting teams), the empty lots near and around the Dunsmuir and Georgia viaducts, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Library Square, Thorton Park, Science World parking lot, International Village mall, Cambie Bridge works yard, Heather Civic Marina, PNE fairgrounds, and 19 SkyTrain stations within the city boundaries.
As well, about dozen hotels within the downtown Vancouver peninsula are classified as City sites, including Delta Hotels Downtown Vancouver, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Hilton Vancouver Downtown, Holiday Inn and Suites Vancouver, Hyatt Regency Vancouver, Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver, Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, Westin Bayshore, Parq Vancouver’s Marriott The Douglas, Marriott Pinnacle, and Fairmont Waterfront.
FIFA sites are designated as BC Place Stadium, Parq Vancouver’s JW Marriott hotel, Plaza of Nations, and Concord Pacific’s Northeast False Creek lands.
Vancouver’s official 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown clock installed outside BC Place Stadium at Terry Fox Plaza. (Kenneth Chan)
The report also outlines temporary measures to control street vending, street performance, and commercial advertising near FIFA sites, City sites, and key high-traffic locations to ensure safety, crowd control, and protect official sponsors.
Currently, street performers can perform in many areas without a permit, but the new bylaw would temporarily ban most of the permit-free performance areas, including the sidewalks next to Library Square, Science World, Vancouver Art Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Terry Fox Plaza, and several SkyTrain stations. Food trucks would be restricted in the downtown security footprint unless explicitly authorized.
Heavy trucks would temporarily be able to travel on downtown streets that are not designed for truck routes between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Enforcement powers would be strengthened through temporary additions to the Ticket Offences Bylaw, with fines ranging from $250 to $1,000, providing City staff with more efficient tools to address non-compliance.
Spanish fans cheer Spain’s win against the Netherlands at the City of Vancouver’s outdoor live screening held on the Granville Strip of the championship final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on July 11, 2010. (Sergei Bachlakov/Shutterstock)
A future City staff report will propose complementary zoning relaxations needed to accommodate temporary land uses related to the tournament.
The City says the measures aim to balance operational demands with residents’ rights, while ensuring a safe, seamless, and celebratory atmosphere.
Significant FIFA “look of the tournament” decorations and wayfinding signage are expected to be installed near FIFA sites, City sites, and other areas near and around downtown in the lead up to the event.
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