With less than twelve months until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America, British football fans are already planning their pilgrimage to watch the beautiful game. While matches will be spread across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, one host city stands out as particularly welcoming for UK visitors: Vancouver.
A Home Away From Home for Brits
Stepping into Vancouver feels surprisingly familiar for British travellers. The city shares the same sense of humour, recognises the same King, and even appears to have an enduring appreciation for Oasis, with the band's songs frequently playing in bars when British accents are detected. This cultural affinity makes Vancouver an appealing base for what will be the planet's biggest sporting event.
The city's connection to football royalty was highlighted recently when Lionel Messi stayed at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver with his Inter Miami team for an away match. The football legend, expected to feature in the 2026 tournament, chose the same hotel that would host countless fans during the World Cup spectacle.
Adventure Awaits in Canada's Rain City
Beyond the football, Vancouver offers breathtaking experiences that transform a sports trip into an unforgettable holiday. For those seeking adventure, seaplane tours with Harbour Air provide remarkably smooth flights with unparalleled aerial views of the stunning landscape.
Alternatively, whale watching tours with Prince of Whales offer the chance to spot orcas and humpback whales in their natural habitat, with bald eagles often soaring overhead. For a more cultural experience, Takaya Tours provides canoeing excursions guided by Indigenous people from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, who share traditional songs and stories from their history.
Back on land, Grouse Mountain remains Vancouver's most visited year-round attraction, where visitors can take a gondola for panoramic views and watch for grizzly bears, though the lumberjack show might prove less thrilling for some.
Thriving Football Culture Across All Levels
While Canada is traditionally associated with ice hockey, Vancouver's football scene is vibrant and growing. The city boasts not one but three football teams spanning different competitive levels.
Vancouver FC delivers an experience reminiscent of English non-league football, complete with a hype man called 'Crazy P' leading chants—including one set to the tune of Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams'—creating an atmosphere focused heavily on entertainment.
The city also hosts Vancouver Rise, one of six founding clubs in Canada's new professional women's football league, led by British president Sinead King, formerly of Chelsea and Southampton academies. Meanwhile, Vancouver Whitecaps represent the city in Major League Soccer, regularly drawing crowds exceeding 20,000 to the impressive BC Place stadium, which will also host World Cup matches.
During the World Cup, Vancouver will establish a FIFA Fan Festival at Hastings Park, featuring live entertainment in a world-class amphitheatre setting.
For those planning their trip, Purely Travel offers five-night packages to Vancouver from £999 per person, including return British Airways flights from London Heathrow and five nights' accommodation at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver on a room-only basis.
