The FIFA World Cup 2026 is going to bring crowds like Vancouver has never seen before. The world’s largest sports event is going to vibrant, exciting, and logistically challenging for visitors to the city. The Fan Festival at the PNE in Hastings Park will be the place to be to catch matches you don’t have tickets for while it goes without saying that the matches at BC Place will be the star attraction.
How Busy Will Vancouver Be During FIFA?
Around 350,000 people are expected to visit Vancouver during the World Cup in 2026. That means downtown will be busy! You can expect to pay a premium for accommodation close to the stadium. So, if you’re on a budget, then staying away from downtown and commuting to matches makes the most sense.
Why You Should Rent A Car During FIFA
Although Vancouver has a great public transport system, renting a car still makes a lot of sense, especially if you’re staying a little distance away. Here’s why,
Rental Cars Give You Cheaper Travel
Ok, this might sound counterintuitive but hear us out. If you’re travelling as a group, using public transport means booking individual tickets which can quickly add up over multiple journeys. If you’re travelling across various transport zones which may be the case if your hotel isn’t close to the FIFA action, then it adds up even more.
Hiring a car or a passenger van means you can split the cost of the rental across the group, making travel from point A to B more economical.
No One Is Left Behind
It’s easy to keep everyone together when you’re travelling in one vehicle. Having a rental car means no one gets lost while changing trains or buses.
Smoother Journeys
Speaking of changing modes of transport, a car lets you travel at your own pace without having to contend with train and bus schedules. You avoid queues and service delays, so you get to where you want to be when you want to be there.
Safer For Families
If you’ve planned a trip of a lifetime taking your little ones to the World Cup, then a rental vehicle makes life so much easier. It’s one way to ensure that Mr. Bear or Binky Blankie aren’t left behind on a bus or train. Your rental vehicle gives you a private, clean, and safe environment to transport your family along with their snacks, water, and other kit.
No Parking Woes
When you book your car rental with Ascent, you get free parking at the Pan Pacific downtown, which is a short 15-minute walk away from the stadium. You can park once, explore the city on foot, and still have the flexibility to leave whenever you want.
What If You’re Staying Downtown?
Downtown is compact. You can walk between neighbourhoods. You can bike along the seawall. The SkyTrain connects the airport, the stadium, and most of the city. So, on match days, you don’t need a car. All you have to do is step out of your hotel and follow the crowd to the stadium. It’s easy, no stress.
Having a car on non-match days will completely change the game.
Exploring Vancouver And Beyond
The city of Vancouver should just be one part of your World Cup experience. Vancouver is a gateway to the stunning Canadian Rockies, the Sunshine Coast, and the Okanagan wine region.
A rental car lets you get out and explore some of the finest destinations close to the city. When you have a car, you can consider travelling to places like Kelowna or Harrison Hot Springs for a night or two, shake off the city and crowds with a camping trip, go to a beach, or even get in some sightseeing in the morning before getting back in time for your match!
You can also rent a car and extend your FIFA experience by taking an epic road trip around the Rockies.
One Way FIFA Car Rentals
What better way to really experience FIFA than watching matches in more than one city? One way car rentals let you get from Vancouver to Seattle or vice versa without having to worry about dropping off your car at the same place.
Get Ahead Of The Game
Ascent Car Rentals is here to make your FIFA experience a smooth one. Get in touch with us to know more or book your car online today!