British ColumbiaThe countdown to kickoff is still months away, but changes are already underway at B.C. Place ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From new elevators to a temporary grass field, the upgrades are transforming the stadium and reigniting old questions about its cost and location. Upgrades to Vancouver’s downtown stadium promise improvements — but raise questions about cost and congestionLaurence Watt · CBC News · Posted: Oct 13, 2025 1:56 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoAging B.C. Place prepares to host FIFA World CupIn the lead up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, attention is turning to one of Vancouver’s most recognizable landmarks: B.C. Place. There’s major excitement around the stadium playing host to seven games, but as CBC’s Laurence Watt reports, there are also some big upgrades, bigger bills and debate around its location.The countdown to kickoff is about eight months away, but changes are already underway at B.C. Place ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From new elevators to a temporary grass field, the upgrades are transforming the stadium — and reigniting old questions about its cost and location.The tournament is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and next summer will mark Canada’s first time co-hosting the men’s World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico. Vancouver and Toronto are Canada’s host cities.Chris May, the general manager of B.C. Place, says the upgrades will improve accessibility and fan experience, with more washrooms, gender-neutral facilities, and improved entrance points. The stadium will also add major hospitality spaces, which May says will create new business opportunities long after the tournament.“Through the hospitality upgrades we need to make, we’re creating those spaces which after FIFA are going to allow us to develop a whole lot of business at the stadium and really provide an incredible legacy for the business of B.C. Place.” The B.C. Pavilion Corporation — the provincial Crown agency that operates the stadium — estimates the upgrades and operating costs tied to the World Cup will total between $171 million and $181 million. But that figure is only part of the larger investment: the city and province together estimate total hosting costs between $483 million and $581 million, with the B.C. government projecting a net cost of $100 million to $145 million after expected revenue. The latest round of upgrades adds to an already costly history for the stadium. In 2011, it underwent a renovation that cost more than $500 million to satisfy hosting duties for the 2015 Women’s World Cup final. Another upgrade in the works is the installation of natural grass grown in the Fraser Valley. Grass pitches are mandated by FIFA for the tournament. However, May says the grass will be removed after the World Cup and replaced with new turf for the Vancouver Whitecaps and B.C. Lions.A grass pitch will be installed for the World Cup and then replaced with new turf for the Vancouver Whitecaps and B.C. Lions. (Ben Nelms/CBC)According to Moshe Lander, an economics professor at Concordia University who studies the economics of sports and public spending, the temporary grass install is an example of “money wasted.” In addition, Lander questions whether any of the upgrades are necessary.“Tell me why B.C. Place needs to be upgraded for 30 to 50 years in the absence of the World Cup? You can’t make that argument,” he said.An aging stadium in a busy downtown coreFor Lander, cost is only part of the story. He says the larger problem lies in the stadium’s age and location in the downtown peninsula. Taylor Swift performed three sold-out shows at B.C. Place in Vancouver in December as part of the Eras Tour. Fans are shown on the screen outside of the stadium. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Lander says the stadium was built decades ago during another era, before the city grew up and around it. Today, he calls it a “crotchety middle-aged stadium” — one the province can’t easily replace but must keep pouring money into to maintain. With tens of thousands of fans expected next summer, he warns the tournament will add to congestion in an already busy downtown. “The area in general is a nightmare, especially at rush hour … You’re already talking about kind of a trapped population on a regular Monday to Friday.”B.C. Place neighbours brace for World Cup impactUnlike many of the tournament’s other host venues, B.C. Place is not surrounded by spacious parking lots. Instead, it’s wedged between apartment towers, businesses, and another stadium – Rogers Arena. But the stadium’s location also has advantages when it comes to accessibility. B.C. Place is steps away from a SkyTrain station, bus routes and bike paths, allowing thousands of fans to get downtown without relying on parking. According to FIFA, there will be temporary road closures for vehicles around B.C. Place and False Creek to ensure safety. Mehdi Oraei, who runs the Pane e Formaggio bakery a block away on Beatty Street, says he’s excited for the crowds, but concerned about how the restrictions might affect his business.“My main concern is how to get the product here for the serving. I really hope Pacific Boulevard is going to be open.”Mehdi Oraei, who runs the Pane e Formaggio bakery on Beatty Street, says he is excited for the World Cup, but he has concerns about how restrictions might affect his business. (Laurence Watt)Concerns aside, Oraei says he is “very excited” about the surge of customers he is expecting for the tournament.“My hope is to cover all my losses for the past year because business has been so tough … Taylor Swift was a huge bump. We did almost 20 days’ [worth of] sales in only three nights. It was incredible.”Across the street from Pane e Formaggio, and opposite the northwest entrance of B.C. Place, construction crews are redeveloping a century-old warehouse at 837 Beatty Street. The site, owned by Reliance Properties, is being transformed into a modern office building.A warehouse near B.C. Place is being turned into an office. Construction is set to finish before the World Cup. (Laurence Watt/CBC News)Company president Jon Stovell says he expects construction to wrap up by February — just in time for the World Cup.“I’m a huge fan of these global events coming to the city. They always come with some inconvenience, but on balance, they’re so beneficial,” Stovell said. “When I think of the number of people who are going to see our building — looking brand new and beautiful at that time — it far outweighs any of the drawbacks from a few temporary road closures.”Canada is scheduled to play two of its group-stage matches at B.C. Place during the 2026 World Cup. According to FIFA, the event could generate up to $3.8 billion in economic output across Canada. ABOUT THE AUTHORLaurence Watt is an associate producer assigned to directing The Early Edition show in Vancouver. You can reach him at laurence.watt@cbc.ca or on Twitter @_laurencewatt.
Excitement tempered by concern as aging B.C. Place prepares to host World Cup games
