Get out the fan gear! Soccer’s biggest tournament, the FIFA World Cup, is coming to Canada this summer. Games are being held in two Canadian cities, with 13 taking place between June 12 and July 19 in Vancouver and Toronto. While you’re not in the stands cheering on Team Canada, there’s plenty to do, see and eat in and around the stadiums—or, if you weren’t lucky enough to snag a ticket in the FIFA lottery and want to join in on the excitement—both cities will be buzzing.
Here’s what to do, see and eat in Vancouver and Toronto during the World Cup.
Fun Zones
Both Vancouver and Toronto will host thousands of soccer fans this summer, and there will be watch parties in bars and restaurants across each city. FIFA will also be ready—there will be two fan zones, aptly called FIFA Fan Festivals, near the stadiums, so ticket-holders and aficionados alike can get in on the action.
Toronto’s games kick off from BMO Field, and the FIFA Fan Festival will be held at Fort York, a 20-minute walk or 13-minute streetcar ride from the stadium. Fort York is a National Historic Site, and along with the adjacent Bentway (a rejuvenated outdoor space located below the elevated Gardiner Expressway), will host fans with live entertainment, food vendors and, of course, giant screens to watch the games in real time. You’ll be so close to the stadium that you’ll be able to hear the cheers erupting from the stands.
In Vancouver, BC Place will host the games with their fan zone a little farther out, about a 30-minute bus ride to Hastings Park at the PNE. You’ll be able to cheer on your team at the newly built open-air amphitheatre that will host almost 10,000 fans. The FIFA Fan Festival promises local and international food vendors, live music and more.
Pitch-perfect things to do
Between Toronto and Vancouver, more than 40 million people visit every year, and for good reason—there’s so much to see and do in these cultural capitals. When you’re not cheering in the stands, there are museums, attractions and parks to enjoy.
Some of Toronto’s biggest (literally) can all be found near each other downtown. See the city in a whole new way from the top of the CN Tower (or brave the famous Edge Walk) that turns 50 this year, marvel at the rainbow of fish at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada or peruse the awe-inspiring Group of Seven exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Farther afield, you can stroll through Kensington Market to find great Chinese food and vintage clothes or head to the historic St. Lawrence Market for a peameal bacon sandwich and a taste of Toronto’s market history. Wander and shop your way through the pedestrian-only Distillery District and relax with a meal on one of the area’s many patios.
In Vancouver, outdoor activities are at their peak during the summer months, and many of them can be appreciated from downtown, not too far from the stadium. Take in all the beauty of the Seawall, the forested trails and the city views in Stanley Park, while exploring it by bike. Relax in the sun at Kitsilano Beach or test your endurance by hiking up Grouse Mountain and conquering the “Grouse Grind,” or take the gondola up to see epic views.
Soak up those mountain views by taking a whale-watching tour from Granville Island, or head out on a kayaking adventure to Deep Cove. Nature lovers will also love the Bloedel Conservatory’s range of plant and bird life at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens, or see the natural world through famed artist Emily Carr’s eyes at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Get your scran here!
Scran, the British slang term for solid stadium eats, is a necessity when watching soccer. While we don’t have menu options for inside the stadiums yet, the dining options in Vancouver and Toronto are endless—both cities have vibrant (and delicious) food scenes.
Dining options around Vancouver’s BC Place abound, with plenty of choices from grab-and-go to torched sushi. There are loads of local restaurants ready to serve up delicious dishes. Japadog, the city’s beloved Japanese-style hot dog chain, is a seven-minute walk from the stadium. For high-end dining like L’Abbatoir and institution restaurants like Michelin-recommended Ask for Luigi, check out the Gastown neighbourhood. While in the Granville Island Market, there are a plethora of food options from pizza and soup to the famous Lee’s Donuts.
In Toronto, BMO Field’s nearby neighbourhoods offer a range of dining options. Liberty Village serves up grab-and-go salads and smoothies, fantastic Italian and amazing pancakes at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen. The Ossington strip offers trendy and acclaimed restaurants like Linny’s, Mamakas Tavern and Michelin-recommended Union. Real soccer fans in Toronto know to head to Cafe Diplomatico in Little Italy for exciting game-watching (and great pizza).
