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June 23, 2026 - Media Release

First week of World Cup in Vancouver keeps transit ridership high beyond match days

Ridership increased throughout the week as visitors and residents travelled across the region

Science World MK 5 FIFA 

June 23, 2026

VANCOUVER, BC – New ridership data shows the FIFA World Cup 2026™ is driving transit demand throughout Metro Vancouver, with ridership remaining elevated across the region even on days when no matches were being played.

During the tournament's first full week, system-wide transit ridership increased 7.8 per cent. The increase suggests visitors are not only travelling to matches, but are also using transit to explore Metro Vancouver, visit local attractions, support local businesses, and travel between communities throughout the region.

While match days saw the largest gains (+13.6 per cent), non-match days also experienced strong growth (+5.15 per cent), showing the tournament is generating activity across the region throughout the week.

More than one million different people used transit at least once during the week, highlighting the important role transit is playing in helping residents and visitors move around Metro Vancouver during one of the region's largest-ever events.

Some key highlights from the week:

  • Downtown stations saw a jump in ridership by 23 per cent.
  • Ridership to and from ferry terminals spiked 13.4 per cent, reflecting increased regional travel from the island and Sunshine Coast.
  • Ridership to and from the airport spiked by 9.4 per cent, as visitors continue arriving in Metro Vancouver
  • Ridership at BC Place-area stations increased 27.8 per cent.

Customer Information Centre data also shows most customers are navigating FIFA World Cup™ travel smoothly. FIFA-related calls continue to represent only one to two per cent of total call volume, with most calls focused on general trip planning and next bus information.Overall, the ridership data shows the FIFA World Cup™ is generating travel outside the stadium area — supporting tourism, local businesses, attractions, and destinations throughout Metro Vancouver.

The largest increase in ridership at SkyTrain stations during the week of June 15 to 21 include:

Station

Weekly Boardings

Increase compared to typical week

Main Street–Science World

104,600

+43.3%

Granville

152,800

+36.6%

Oakridge–41st Avenue

54,900

+29.5%

29th Avenue

56,300

+29.2%

Patterson

36,300

+28.3%

Yaletown–Roundhouse

76,700

+26.5%

Waterfront

352,400

+23.1%

VCC–Clark

19,341

+22.8%

Burquitlam

36,500

+20.9%

TransLink continues to monitor ridership trends closely and adjust service levels to ensure customers can travel reliably during both on match days and regular weekdays.

A full report on ridership from last week is below:

Weekly report 1

Weekly report 2

Weekly report 3

Notes:

  • A boarding occurs every time someone boards any transit vehicle.
  • A trip is a full transit journey from end to end including transfers. One trip may have several boardings due to transfers.
  • “A typical day” is defined as what ridership was projected to be if the FIFA World Cup™ 2026™ Vancouver was not taking place. It is calculated through recent ridership patterns and last year’s ridership on the same day.
  • This ridership report is based on preliminary data; exact figures may change as ridership estimates are finalized.

Media downloads:
Media can download photos of TransLink’s system throughout the tournament here

Media contact:
TransLink Media Relations 
E: media@translink.ca