British ColumbiaB.C. Ferries is opening its summer booking schedule next week, months earlier than usual, in order to prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026 which is being co-hosted by Vancouver.Company is opening bookings next week in order to prepare for busy summer season in 2026; fares being hikedAndrew Kurjata · CBC News · Posted: Nov 28, 2025 8:00 PM EST | Last Updated: 7 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.B.C. Ferries is opening up its summer booking schedule next week, the same day the 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule is finalized. (Ben Nelms/CBC)B.C. Ferries is allowing summer booking months earlier than usual in order to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will feature seven games in Vancouver.Normally, the company announces its summer sailing schedule and opens reservations in the spring.But this year, both will go live on Dec. 5, the same day that the tournament schedule will be finalized in Washington, D.C.The schedule will determine which teams will be playing in Vancouver over the course of seven matches being hosted at B.C. Place.Team Canada is already guaranteed to play Game 2 and Game 3 in the group stage on June 18 and June 24.WATCH | The challenge of getting a World Cup ticket:World Cup 2026 ticket presale fiercely competitive for fansThe FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets presale kicks off this week with fans entering an initial draw giving winners a chance to purchase seats, with subsequent phases of tickets released in the coming months.B.C. Ferries says it is expecting high demand, both from visiting tourists heading to Vancouver Island and from islanders seeking to attend games in Vancouver.As such, the corporation says it’s trying to get out ahead in helping people plan their time.Increased sailings will also be added earlier in the year, in anticipation of increased travel. On top of the new summer schedule, B.C. Ferries has announced its annual fare hike — an average of 3.2 per cent, effective April 1, 2026.The changes won’t be the same across the board, however.B.C. Ferries says it is anticipating high demand during the summer of 2026. (Ben Nelms/CBC)More discount fares will be available during off-peak hours, and soon, nearly a third of all bookable routes will now be what B.C. Ferries calls “saver fares” — for lower prices on sailings that typically have more space, such as the middle of the week or early in the morning.The standard fare for an adult travelling with a vehicle between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island will go up by $5, to $110.Meanwhile, the price for those traveling on less busy and northern routes with a vehicle will be increasing by between 95 cents and $2.05.
Planning to take B.C. Ferries to or from the 2026 World Cup? You’ll want to book it early
