Excitement surrounding the upcoming FIFA World Cup matches in Vancouver is being overshadowed by growing frustration among soccer fans who say soaring ticket prices and expensive accommodation are making the global tournament inaccessible for ordinary supporters.
Many international and local fans who had dreamed of witnessing the world’s biggest sporting event in person are now reconsidering their plans after discovering the true cost of attending games in Vancouver, one of the Canadian host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Chris Van Brockhoven, a soccer supporter from London, England, said his group booked flights and accommodation nearly a year ago in anticipation of attending matches in Vancouver. However, after entering FIFA’s ticket selection draws, the group was stunned by the admission prices they encountered.
“We were flabbergasted at how expensive the tickets are,” he said, noting that resale prices he found online were reaching nearly $2,000 per ticket. He added that such prices are comparable to season tickets for top English football clubs and were impossible for his group to justify.
Despite the setback, the group still plans to travel to Vancouver and experience the World Cup atmosphere through fan festivals and public viewing events, hoping ticket prices may fall closer to kickoff.
The concerns are not limited to overseas visitors. Vancouver resident and mother Shushan Vardanyan said she has been trying unsuccessfully to secure affordable tickets for her nine-year-old son, a passionate soccer fan.
She expressed disappointment that the sport, traditionally known for its accessibility, is becoming financially out of reach for many families.
“Soccer is meant to be an affordable and accessible sport,” she said, adding that attending live matches can inspire young athletes and create lifelong memories.
Experts say Vancouver’s already expensive housing and hotel market is amplifying the issue. Jarrett Vaughan, an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, said accommodation costs in the city are among the highest in Canada even during normal periods, and the World Cup is intensifying the pressure.
He noted that strict short-term rental regulations in Vancouver may also be limiting the supply of available accommodation. Under current rules, Airbnb hosts must rent out their principal residence and obtain both city and provincial licences, which Vaughan says can cost more than $1,000 annually and discourage many potential hosts.
As a result, some homeowners are reportedly turning to unofficial “grey market” rentals through Facebook groups and private arrangements, offering homes or room exchanges outside formal platforms.
Vaughan believes local and provincial governments missed an opportunity to temporarily relax restrictions and expand accommodation availability during the World Cup period.
He warned that excessive costs could ultimately reduce tourism numbers and prevent Vancouver from fully benefiting economically from hosting one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.
Interestingly, despite expectations of overwhelming demand, Destination Vancouver reported that June hotel bookings are currently down about 20 per cent compared with the same period last year. Tourism officials, however, remain optimistic that reservations will surge closer to the tournament dates.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature 104 matches across Canada, the United States and Mexico, marking the largest tournament in the competition’s history with 48 participating nations. Vancouver and Toronto are Canada’s two host cities.
To help accommodate fans without match tickets, Vancouver is organizing large-scale public celebrations, including the official FIFA Fan Festival at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds. The event will include giant match screenings, cultural activities and live concerts featuring artists such as Flo Rida, Simple Plan and Arkells.
Although disappointed by the ticket situation, Van Brockhoven said his group remains determined to enjoy the World Cup experience and soak in the atmosphere.
“The whole reason we’re coming over was to see the football,” he said. “It’s not going to stop us watching the games and enjoying the atmosphere.”