Nearly 100 days to go: Welcoming the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to YVR
As one of 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities, Vancouver is counting down the days until the tournament and getting ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of soccer fans, players, and administrators to our city to celebrate the beautiful game.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is a global hub, proud to connect our local community with the world. Not only are we a gateway for travellers arriving in Vancouver for the tournament, we also provide direct access to 13 of the 16 FIFA World Cup host cities, forming a critical part of the network connecting fans to matches around the continent.
2025 saw the highest recorded passenger numbers of our 94-year history. This summer, the growth continues, with average daily passengers from June 8 to July 12 forecasted to top 90,000, easily exceeding numbers from the same period last year.
Preparing to welcome the world
At YVR, preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 began in June 2022, following the announcement of host cities.
To ensure our operations remain resilient and reliable through this busy time, YVR has assembled a cross-functional team of experts in facilitation, emergency management, baggage, maintenance, communications, and more. This team is working alongside federal agencies operating at YVR as well as external partners such as the Vancouver Host Committee to prepare for this global event.
Past successes in managing increased passenger volumes as part of our long-standing cruise operations program, large-scale concerts, Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games are informing our approach.
Specialized operations include:
- Dedicated roles to support operations. Specific roles assigned to oversee and organize our cross-functional teams and to liaise with FIFA volunteers and coordinators, who will work alongside our frontline ambassadors, Guest Experience Representatives and Green Coat volunteers to assist travellers.
- A 24/7 FIFA Coordination Desk to help streamline the travel process for players, referees, media, and more, and provide timely information and support across airport operations.
- Multilingual support. Travellers can easily get help in any language with our enhanced language line services, offering real-time translation for 170 languages.
- More flights. We’re working closely with our airline partners as well as private charters to meet the increased demand during this time, maximizing flights through intricate schedule coordination—“aviation Tetris,” as Vivian Chan, manager of airport capacity at YVR, calls it.
Using technology to accelerate and streamline operations
- YVR’s Digital Twin will help inform the work of our teams by providing real-time updates on upcoming and current airport flow conditions. Having insight into hundreds of airport systems at our fingertips will enable us to proactively address potential issues and deliver a seamless passenger experience.
- Faster, more advanced security screening. YVR was the first airport to install Computed Tomography (CT) X-ray equipment in our Domestic security screening facilities. Passengers at these checkpoints can leave large electronics and liquids in their bags, simplifying and speeding up the security screening process.
- Biometric boarding. Our new biometrics program will fast-track boarding for passengers on select flights, giving them the option of using facial comparison to verify their identity at the gate instead of showing their passport and boarding pass.
- A new High-Level Control (HLC) baggage system. Upgrades to our baggage systems will ensure faster and more reliable baggage delivery.
Finally, we conducted major upgrades to our North Runway in 2025. Repaving, drainage and electrical upgrades, new lighting and more ensure the resilience of this critical piece of infrastructure.
A first and last impression of Vancouver
For the many fans travelling to Vancouver by air, YVR is the first and last touchpoint they will have with our city and region. We anticipate a sense of excitement and camaraderie throughout the terminal, supported by thematic graphics, photo moments, and signage.
YVR’s award-winning sense of place unites the themes of land, sea, and sky. With natural elements woven throughout the interior design and an extensive collection of original Indigenous art, passing through the terminal provides a strong feeling of connection to the local area.
Together, alongside Musqueam, we will harness the energy of this historic event to inspire our teams, engage our community, and create a lasting legacy.