Pre-Trip & Match-Day

✅ Vancouver Checklist

Vancouver is a forgiving destination — but four mistakes will hurt: no eTA if you're a non-US visa-exempt traveller, no rain shell, the wrong SkyTrain station for the stadium, and no travel insurance when BC ER bills are C$1,000+ for visitors. Run through this list 2 weeks before you fly.

eTA cost
C$7
Non-US visa-exempt
Rain in June
~73 mm
~10 rain days
June high / low
21°C / 11°C
Layers needed
Match SkyTrain
Main St-Sci World
⚠️ NOT Stadium-Chinatown

Before You Fly

2 Weeks Out

🛂
eTA (non-US)
C$7 eTA if visa-exempt non-US (UK, EU, AU, JP, etc.). Apply at canada.ca. US passport-holders not required.
🎫
FIFA ID + tickets
FIFA ID created and tickets linked. Photo on FIFA ID matches your passport. Mobile ticket app installed.
📱
Airalo Canada eSIM pre-loaded
Install eSIM profile before flight (don't activate till you land). 1 GB / 7 days = $8.50, 5 GB / 30 days = ~$20. Get a Canada eSIM ↗
🩺
Travel insurance
BC ER walk-in is C$1,000+ for visitors. Don't fly without coverage.
💳
Notify bank
Heads-up your card issuer about Canada travel to avoid fraud-block. Carry a backup card.
📲
Apps
Transit, TransLink, Uber, Lyft, Compass mobile pay, Weather (Environment Canada). Pre-download offline maps.
🏨
YVR-to-hotel reserved
Canada Line SkyTrain or Lyft/Uber. SkyTrain cheapest at C$10.05 incl. C$5 AddFare.

Pack

What Goes in the Bag

🧥
Compact rain shell
June ~73 mm rainfall over ~10 rainy days. Packable, hooded, waterproof. Non-negotiable.
🧶
Light layers
June ~21°C high, ~11°C night. Long-sleeve + fleece + rain shell handles every Vancouver June day.
👟
Walking shoes
No flip-flops outside beaches. Vancouver is a walking city; wet sidewalks are normal.
🕶️
Polarized sunglasses
UV index 7–8 even on cloudy days. Polarized for the seawall and Sea-to-Sky views.
👜
Clear stadium bag
BC Place / FIFA bag policy. Pre-check bcplace.com near match for clear-bag specifics.
🔌
NA plug adapter
Type A/B (US plug). Not needed if you're coming from US/Mexico.
💧
Refillable water bottle (city use only)
Tap water excellent — use around Vancouver and save C$3+/bottle. Do not bring to BC Place; water bottles are banned inside all 2026 World Cup stadiums (FIFA confirmed, June 2026). Free water at hydration stations inside.
🔋
Power bank
FIFA Mobile Ticket + photos = battery drain. Bring 10,000 mAh+.
🧥
Light pullover for BC Place AC
Stadium runs cold even with retractable roof closed. Layer is real.

On Arrival

First 4 Hours

📲
Activate eSIM at YVR
Switch on Airalo Canada profile after immigration. Confirm signal before SkyTrain.
🎫
Buy Compass DayPass
SkyTrain machine at YVR Canada Line station. C$11.85 + C$5 YVR AddFare built into ticket.
🍣
First meal
Japadog (Robson) for the cheap-fast win, or Granville Island Public Market for salmon + a market stroll.
📍
Confirm match-day station
Main Street–Science World only — Stadium-Chinatown closed to stadium pedestrians on match days. Lock this in your group's heads now.

Match Day at BC Place

2.5 Hours Before Kickoff

🔋
Phone charged + power bank
FIFA Mobile Ticket needs battery. Power bank in stadium bag.
🎫
FIFA Mobile Ticket in wallet
Add to Apple/Google Wallet ahead of time. Don't rely on the FIFA app loading at the gate.
🪪
Photo ID matching FIFA ID
Passport or driver's license. Name must match the FIFA ID on the ticket.
👜
Clear bag only
Per BC Place / FIFA policy. Soft-side, transparent. Verify size on bcplace.com.
💧
No water bottles at BC Place
Water bottles — sealed or empty — are banned inside for all World Cup matches (FIFA confirmed, June 2026). Pre-hydrate before entering; free water at hydration stations inside.
🧥
Light layer for AC
Stadium runs cold even with retractable roof closed.
USE MAIN STREET–SCIENCE WORLD ONLY — Stadium-Chinatown is closed to stadium pedestrians on match days. Walk 10–15 min via the "Last Mile" pedestrian route through Concord Lands. Arrive 2.5–3 hrs early.