Community
Activation

Celebrate FIFA World Cup 26 Across Vancouver and BC

350,000 fans are expected to attend the seven Vancouver matches at BC Place for FIFA World Cup 26™ and the excitement is building across the city and province. For businesses, residents and communities throughout BC, this is our moment to celebrate the sport, showcase our vibrant culture, and bring people together to enjoy the matches and festivities. 

This playbook is your guide to joining the FIFA World Cup 26™ celebrations. With tips on activating, permitting and public viewing, you can join us in bringing the FIFA World Cup 26™ atmosphere to life province wide.   

Community Activation Playbook

This is Version 1.0 - The FIFA World Cup 26™ Vancouver Host Committee will update this Community Activation Playbook to answer new questions from the community and to include new information and evolving requirements as they become available.

In this Playbook:

  • Ideas for celebrating creatively with country flags, soccer themes, and community pride.
  • Information on when a FIFA Public Viewing License is needed and how to obtain one.
  • Rules on brand use, including a reminder that FIFA marks, logos, wordmarks, slogans, and other branding cannot be used without formal licensing or an official partnership.
  • Guidance for Vancouver-based businesses on hosting events during FIFA World Cup 26™ and obtaining permits via the City of Vancouver.

Local licensing opportunities

There are two key opportunities for local businesses to sell official FIFA World Cup 26™ merchandise:

1. Become a local licensee

  • FIFA has launched a new licensing program to give local British Columbia businesses the opportunity to become Official Licensees of the FIFA World Cup 26™.
  • This is a unique chance to design and sell official FIFA World Cup 26 Vancouver™ merchandise that celebrates our culture and creativity.
  • The program complements FIFA’s regional and global partnerships and focuses on locally made and distributed products.
  • Apply to FIFA directly here.

2. Sell official licensed products in your store

  • Businesses can stock and sell official FIFA World Cup 26™ merchandise produced by official FIFA licensees.
  • The following companies hold official FIFA licenses and can be contacted to purchase licensed products.
  • For contact details on how to carry these products, please email: FWC26inquiries@vancouver.ca

Licensee

Product Categories

1003773 Ontario Inc.

Posters

Arctic Squad (9285-1096 Quebec Inc.)

Apparel

Cappeli Sport

Balls

City Merchandise

Drinkware, Fan Products, Apparel, Stationary, Bags, Seasonal Decorations

Crocs

Charms

Funko LLC (dual-branded)

3D Figurine

Honav

Pins, Duffle Bags, Backpacks, Passport Holders, Luggage Tags, Carry-on Luggage, Magnets, 2D Keychains

John Hatter & Co

Caps

Jeff Hamilton

Leather Jackets

Kayford

Party Products

Leather Treaty

Fan Products Leather

Luxquest Group LLC

Puzzles, Framed 3D recycled wood made art

Mesuca

Outdoor products (tents, canopies, foldable tables and chairs, camping equipment, etc.)

Nemcor Inc.

Home Textiles (blankets, pillows, throws, etc).

Northcott

Cotton printed fabrics for the quilt, craft and home decor industries.

Outerstuff

Apparel and Headwear

Panini (dual-branded)

Stickers and Trading cards

QLive Panama

Stationery & Office

Sandisk

Consumer Electronics, memory cards, portable SSD, USB

Sincere USA

Pet Products

UPI Marketing

Fan Products

Wagon

Trophy replicas and Fan products

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the type and location of your event. If it's happening on a street, in a park, or on private property and involves activities that would typically require approval, an event permit will be required from your City.

For events in Vancouver, the standard event permitting process applies based on location:

For a full overview of the process, including permits and support, visit:  

City of Vancouver | Organize a special event

Liquor sales and service:

If you want to make changes to your liquor license, you need to apply with the Province. This includes temporary patios, extending your hours of service, or hosting an event with your existing liquor licence.

If you want to sell or serve liquor at an event, you may need a Liquor Special Event Permit. For all permits and liquor licence applications, apply to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch as soon as possible.

It depends on the size and complexity of the event. Please contact your municipality for more information. If you’re in Vancouver, Find approximate timelines and more information here.

On Match Days, thousands of fans will gather in and around BC Place Vancouver and the FIFA Fan Festival™ to experience the energy of the tournament. To ensure a safe, accessible, and enjoyable experience for everyone, the City will establish a designated “Controlled Area” around these key locations. 

As part of Vancouver’s Host City Agreement with FIFA, the City of Vancouver is committed to supporting public safety, mobility, and upholding the rights of FIFA World Cup™ commercial partners within the “Controlled Area” throughout the tournament period. 

The “Controlled Area” includes:

  • BC Place Vancouver: A 2-kilometre radius on each Match Day and the day before 
  • FIFA Fan Festival™ at Hastings Park: A 100-metre radius around the official activation site

Within these areas, the City of Vancouver will:

  • Maintain clear access for emergency services, teams, officials, volunteers, and fans. 
  • Manage commercial activity to prevent unauthorized marketing or signage that could imply a false association with FIFA or its partners.
  • Review event and signage applications under existing permitting processes and a temporary bylaw specific to FIFA World Cup 26™. 
  • City of Vancouver | Sign permit 
  • City of Vancouver | Organize a special event

Importantly, businesses within the Controlled Area are not required to close. Regular operations can continue, and the City encourages local businesses to remain open and welcoming during this exciting time.

If you’re planning an event, activation, or signage within the Controlled Area, please apply through the City’s standard permitting channels.

Yes, you can host an event that celebrates the tournament using soccer themes, country colours, and general decorations. Just remember:

  • If your event meets conditions that would typically require a permit, you will need to apply through the appropriate permitting process in your municipality.
  • Events located within the Controlled Area near BC Place Vancouver Stadium or the FIFA Fan Festival are subject to additional review on Match Days and the day before.
  • FIFA branding may not be used unless you are officially licensed (this includes logos, mascots, slogans, etc.).

You are encouraged to use flags, country colours, and general soccer themes. You cannot use FIFA logos, mascots, or phrases like “FIFA World Cup 26™” unless you have FIFA’s official approval.

You can say you're welcoming the world or celebrating soccer generally. You cannot say you're officially associated with FIFA or use language that implies an endorsement or partnership unless you have one.

If you are showing matches as part of your regular operations on existing screens, you  do not need a license. If you are adding sponsors, charging admission, or expect over 1,000 attendees, you are required to obtain a Public Viewing License from FIFA.

You may also need a permit from your municipality for your viewing event. 

Obtain permits: Check with your local municipality for any required permits for your event, especially if it will use public spaces such as streets, parks, or plazas. If you are located in the City of Vancouver: Familiarise yourself with exiting processes for special events: The City of Vancouver has a special event permitting handbook that contains useful information for event organisers.  See Special Event Permitting Handbook

Organizers are strongly encouraged to apply for both a viewing license and necessary permits in parallel to avoid delays.

To date, FIFA has not released the prices of Public Viewing Licenses. Please visit, https://publicviewing.fifa.org/public_viewing to find the most up to date information on these rates.

Yes, as long as you use generic soccer designs or national flags. You cannot use FIFA logos, slogans, mascots, the trophy or any official branding unless you are a licensee of FIFA.

You should seek independent legal advice to understand the potential ramifications of non-compliance. Brand use will be monitored by the City of Vancouver and FIFA. If FIFA branding is used without permission, the person or business may be asked to remove it. In more serious cases, legal action may be taken. We’re prioritizing education and voluntary participation.

No, businesses will not be required to close during or because of the FIFA World Cup 26™. While there will be road closures and traffic calming measures around BC Place on match days to support safe and efficient stadium operations, pedestrian access to surrounding businesses will be maintained. The City is committed to keeping residents and businesses informed and will share detailed information well in advance as planning progresses.

No, the City of Vancouver is committed to upholding human rights and has no plans to displace or relocate people experiencing homelessness due to FIFA World Cup 26™ Host City requirements.