So you’re coming to Vancouver for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Honestly, great call. This city is going to be one of the best places on the planet to be this summer.
But here’s the thing – the games are a few hours, and then you’ve got the rest of the day. And the next day. And the one after that. Vancouver is full of fun activities that have nothing to do with soccer, and it would be a shame to miss them.
Here’s your guide to things to do in Vancouver during the World Cup when you’re not at the stadium.
Get Outside
Vancouver is stupidly beautiful and you should take full advantage. Stanley Park is a 1,000-acre rainforest sitting right at the edge of downtown – rent a bike and do the seawall. Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood – cobblestone streets, the famous steam clock, and some of the best bars and restaurants in the city. It’s made for wanderingIf you want a view that will stop you in your tracks, take the gondola up Grouse Mountain.
These are the classics for a reason. Do them.
Eat Everything
Vancouver has one of the most diverse food scenes in North America and that is not an exaggeration. Richmond – just south of the city – is home to some of the best dim sum outside of Hong Kong. The West End has incredible Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese options at every price point. Davie Street is lively and walkable with great restaurants and bars steps apart.
Don’t leave without eating at least one bowl of ramen and at least one order of dumplings. Non-negotiable.
Do Something Uniquely Vancouver
This is the one most tourists miss – and it’s honestly one of the best fun activities in Vancouver going right now.
The Comedy Department runs Saturday Night Laughs every single Saturday at The Show Cellar in Vancouver’s West End. It’s a fully improvised comedy show – no scripts, no two shows ever alike. The Comedy Department is a Canadian Comedy Award-winning company and a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award recipient, and the shows sell out regularly.
If you’re in Vancouver for a few weeks, you’ve got a standing Saturday night plan sorted.
Two Special Nights This Summer You Don’t Want to Miss
On June 27 and July 4, Saturday Night Laughs goes full Canadian with two special SNL: Canadian Steam Edition shows – and these are must-see events.
Canadian Steam is one of The Comedy Department’s most celebrated touring productions. Picture this: a fully improvised comedy show with mildly sexy lumberjacks, where the audience gets to decide whether the performers earn the coveted “Official Stamp of Sexy.” It’s ridiculous, it’s hilarious, and it’s deeply, unapologetically Canadian. The show is heavy on crowd work and audience interaction, which means no two nights are ever the same and you are very much part of the action.
June 27 falls right before Canada Day. July 4 is American Independence Day – which means a huge wave of American visitors will be in the city looking for something to do. Both nights are going to be electric, and there is genuinely nothing else like this during the World Cup.
If you want a fun Vancouver activity that’s also a real cultural experience? This is it.
A Gift for World Cup Visitors
Use the code WORLDCUP10 for 10% off any Saturday Night Laughs show during the cup (June 11 -July 19)
The Show Cellar is right in the West End – walkable from most downtown hotels, close to the water, surrounded by great dinner spots, including the Park Pub, which is in and of itself , a fantastic sports bar. Make a full night of it.
Vancouver during the World Cup is going to be one of those summers people talk about for a long time. Get to the games, explore the neighbourhoods, eat everything in sight – and on a Saturday night, come find out why locals have been packing The Show Cellar week after week.
See you this summer.
