BURST
With Canada eyeing a spot in the World Cup knockout round for the first time, soccer fans are set to descend on Vancouver to soak up the kind of energy and national pride rarely seen since the 2010 Olympics.
Canada takes to the pitch against Switzerland for its third and final group-stage match at noon on Wednesday, June 24 at B.C. Place.
With history on the line, the festive Last Mile, B.C. Place, Fan Festival at the PNE and other watch parties around Metro Vancouver should be packed, and getting around will likely present a challenge.
If you’re looking to travel to the venues or get around the region on Thursday, here’s what to expect on the roads and on transit throughout Metro Vancouver.
I’m going to the Canada vs. Switzerland game. What’s the best way to get to B.C. Place?
Fans attending the game at B.C. Place can enter the stadium from the east, where a single entry point has been implemented for ticket holders.
A pedestrian-only, fenced-off corridor along False Creek between Science World and B.C. Place dubbed the Last Mile will double as a fan zone and is the only way to access the stadium’s entrance.
Both ticket holders and non-ticket holders are able to take part in the festivities inside the Last Mile.
The best way to get to B.C. Place is to take transit to Main Street-Science World SkyTrain station and walk through the Last Mile from there.
I want to attend the pre-game march with the Voyageurs. Where and when does that happen?
The Voyageurs are Canada’s national fan group, supporting the men’s and women’s soccer teams.
On Wednesday, there’s a sold-out gathering at Fionn MacCool’s on Main Street starting at 7 a.m. (!), then fans can join the march to the stadium.
Marchers are asked to be at Switchmen Street — just south of Fionn MacCool’s and a block north of East 1st Avenue at Quebec Street — at 9:30 a.m. for a planned 10 a.m. departure.
The Voyageurs will head to B.C. Place in “full voice, scarves up, drums beating, and energy building with every step,” the group says. It should be a raucous sea of red all morning.
I’m going to the FIFA Fan Festival. What’s the best way to get to Hastings Park?
To visit the FIFA Fan Festival , organizers recommend taking public transit, walking, biking, taking a taxi, ride-for-hire or carpooling.
For the duration of the World Cup, TransLink has set up the 11 Fan Festival Express bus. The route will run continuously between 29th Avenue SkyTrain station (Expo Line), Renfrew SkyTrain station (Millennium Line) and the fan festival site, with extra service during busy periods.
Other TransLink routes servicing Hastings Park — including the R5 Hastings RapidBus, the 14, 28, 130 and 222 — will also be available with more frequent service.
For more information about the festival, check out our feature on what to know before you go.
I’m going to the Granville Street World Cup Fan Zone. What’s the best way to get downtown?
A five-block stretch of Granville Street will be converted into a pedestrian zone for the duration of the tournament, with expanded patios, public art and entertainment, vendors and lots and lots of people.
To take in the atmosphere on Granville, hop on the SkyTrain and disembark at Granville SkyTrain station. You can also get off at Burrard SkyTrain station and walk over a few blocks.
I’m going to the Canada Soccer House in North Vancouver. What’s the best way to get to the Shipyards?
Canada Soccer House, at the Shipyards on the North Vancouver waterfront, is the official fan venue organized by Canada Soccer.
On the June 24 match day, the venue will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is free for all. But you’re encouraged to pre-register to get an entry code and arrive early. The venue has hit its estimated 3,800-person capacity on several match days and is sure to be jammed again Wednesday.
The best way to get there from downtown Vancouver is to hop on the SeaBus for a leisurely cruise across the water and over to Lonsdale Quay where you can hop off and walk to the Shipyards.
Will there be extra TransLink bus service on match day? What about SkyTrains and SeaBus?
TransLink has said there will be about 600 bus trips added each day of the tournament, including increased service to popular venues around town.
Routes that will see more frequent service include the R5, the 14, 19 and 23 in the busiest parts of downtown Vancouver.
On match days, such as when Canada plays Switzerland on June 24, the SkyTrain will offer more frequent trains both before and after the match, arriving every 2 to 2.5 minutes.
For more information about TransLink service during the World Cup, visit translink.ca .
What road closures will be in place on June 24?
Buckle up. Match day traffic closures are plentiful in and around the B.C. Place stadium district. Also, a five-block stretch of Granville Street will be closed for a pedestrian-only celebration fan zone for the duration of the World Cup.
Check the map above or visit our full listing of traffic closures here .
I have no ticket to the Canada vs. Switzerland game. Where can I watch the game?
Looking for a place to cheer with other fans but don’t have one of those coveted tickets to the game? Check out our extensive list of 16 free World Cup watch parties around the Metro Vancouver area.
Wednesday’s big game starts at high noon so virtually every restaurant and pub in the city and beyond should have the game on a screen. Who’s booking off work at lunchtime?
With files from Stephanie Ip