FIFA World Cup opener in Vancouver sets public transit ridership record

The first FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Vancouver drove public transit use to record levels, with TransLink reporting the busiest stadium-event day on its network since the 2010 Winter Olympics.

According to TransLink, more than 1.03 million boardings were recorded across the region on June 13, representing a 14 per cent increase compared with a typical Saturday in June. The agency also reported approximately 648,200 total trips, up 18 per cent from normal demand levels.

Thousands of soccer fans travelled to BC Place and the FIFA Fan Festival to attend the match between Australia and Türkiye. TransLink said stations serving BC Place experienced their busiest Saturday on record.

The agency said ridership levels surpassed previous peaks set during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concerts in Vancouver and the Vancouver Whitecaps versus Inter Miami CF match featuring Lionel Messi.

SkyTrain carried 25 per cent more riders than on a typical day, while SeaBus recorded the largest increase at 37 per cent. Use of the conventional bus network also rose by 6.6 per cent, according to TransLink.