Pre-2026 World Cup Preview: Your Chance to Navigate, Fly, or Sail Across Borders
Vancouver and Seattle, two vibrant cities in the Pacific Northwest, are gearing up to host seven matches each in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering fans a unique opportunity to experience two home teams in two stadiums on consecutive matchdays, starting in August 2026.
Travel Options
The close geographic proximity of Vancouver, Canada, and Seattle, USA, makes it feasible for fans to visit stadiums in both cities during the tournament for a broader World Cup experience. Cross-border travel between cities will require valid travel documents, such as appropriate visas or ESTA for U.S. entry for international travelers. Planning ahead for border crossings is advisable.
Fans can choose from various transportation options to travel between the cities. Public transit within each city is convenient, with Vancouver offering easy access to BC Place via public transit, while Seattle’s Lumen Field is centrally located with accessible metros and buses. For faster point-to-point transfers, helicopter charters through Helijet or Blackcomb Helicopters are available, offering custom arrivals at private landing pads or regional airports near downtown cores.
Chauffeured black car services and Harbour Air's private floatplanes also connect the cities, providing smooth rides and stunning views of the Salish Sea and Olympic Mountains.
Fan Experiences in Vancouver
Attend matches at the iconic BC Place Stadium, a central hub for World Cup action in Vancouver. After the game, explore famous sites such as Stanley Park and Granville Island, and enjoy a rich culinary scene to complement match days. Hotels like the Century Plaza near BC Place offer special FIFA World Cup rates for convenience and comfort.
Fan Experiences in Seattle
Seattle hosts six matches at Lumen Field, an acclaimed stadium with central accessibility. Visit local soccer bars to engage with fan communities and soak in the soccer atmosphere. Seattle offers diverse outdoor activities and hiking trails like Discovery Park Loop, Mount Si, and Rattlesnake Ledge for fans who want to combine nature exploration with the tournament experience. Choose accommodations near downtown or close to Lumen Field for easy access to games and urban amenities.
The FIFA Fan Festival will be staged at Hastings Park in Vancouver, while Lumen Field in Seattle will host matches for the 2026 World Cup. Fans can dive into LA's soccer scene across dozens of high-energy venues, such as Britannia Pub in Santa Monica, House of Football in Hollywood, and LAFC partner spots throughout the city, serving as a natural next stop for fans extending their journey beyond Cascadia.
Planning Ahead
Due to high World Cup demand, travel prices, especially hotels, surge around match days. Booking stays and transportation early, setting price alerts, and being flexible with dates can help manage costs. Embassy Suites and Silver Cloud, also within walking distance of Lumen Field, provide reliable options for those who prefer convenience on matchday. Populus Seattle, a carbon-positive hotel, debuted in Pioneer Square in Seattle this summer, near Lumen Field.
For fans visiting both Vancouver and Seattle during the FIFA World Cup 2026 previews, the recommended travel options and experiences focus on leveraging the close geographic proximity of the two host cities, enjoying vibrant local soccer cultures, and exploring top attractions and transportation conveniences. Enjoying stadiums, vibrant local cultures, outdoor excursions, and key city landmarks will make travel during the FIFA World Cup 2026 both efficient and memorable.
- To complement the match days and immerse in the World Cup experience, fans visiting Vancouver can explore the famous sites such as Stanley Park, Granville Island, and enjoy a rich culinary scene.
- Seattle offers diverse outdoor activities for fans, including hiking trails like Discovery Park Loop, Mount Si, and Rattlesnake Ledge, providing an opportunity to combine nature exploration with the tournament experience.
- For fans looking to engage with local soccer communities, Seattle's soccer bars serve as ideal gathering spots during the World Cup.
- To sustain a 'sustainable-living' lifestyle, Populus Seattle, a carbon-positive hotel in Pioneer Square, offers eco-friendly accommodations near Lumen Field.
- Travelers planning to visit both Vancouver and Seattle should consider transportation options like helicopter charters, chauffeured black car services, or Harbour Air's private floatplanes for a quick and scenic transit between cities.
- After the World Cup concludes, fans can explore the soccer scene in Los Angeles by visiting venues like Britannia Pub, House of Football, and LAFC partner spots.
