The Red Devils are heading to Vancouver. Here’s your complete guide to matchday, the city, and everything in between.
Belgium plays one game in Vancouver at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, June 28 against New Zealand.
Whether you’re flying in from Brussels, Antwerp, or Liège, or travelling from elsewhere in North America to catch the match, this guide covers everything you need: where to stay, where to drink Belgian beer (yes, in Vancouver), where to eat, how to get around, and how to make the most of one of Canada’s most beautiful cities.
The Match + Dates
Belgium vs New Zealand Date: Saturday, June 28, 2026
Venue: BC Place, 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC
BC Place is a covered stadium in the heart of downtown Vancouver with a capacity of around 54,000.
It sits right next to the SkyTrain and is walking distance from most downtown hotels, bars, and restaurants. The retractable roof means weather is never a factor on matchday, but late June in Vancouver is typically warm and sunny anyway.
Belgium comes into the tournament as one of the stronger European sides. Expect a vocal travelling support and a stadium atmosphere that will do justice to the occasion.
Where to Stay
Your base definitely matters here, especially if you’re coming to visit for the World Cup and explore more of what Vancouver has to offer. Hotel prices are already soaring, so here’s how to be smart about where to stay.
Vancouver is a spread-out city, and where you stay will shape how easy matchday feels.
Nomi Homes has short-term rental apartments across Vancouver and Burnaby, this is a much better option than a hotel if you’re staying for several days. You get a full kitchen, more living space, and the flexibility to cook, recover, and prepare for matchday on your own terms.
The best neighbourhoods to stay in Vancouver for the FIFA World Cup 2026
Yaletown is the closest to BC Place. It’s walkable to the stadium, packed with restaurants and bars, and has a lively atmosphere on game days. If you want to be at the centre of it all, this is your neighbourhood.
Downtown Vancouver / West End gives you the widest range of accommodation options. You’re on the SkyTrain network, close to everything, and can walk to BC Place in under 20 minutes.
Mount Pleasant has a more local, neighbourhood feel. Good food scene, independent bars, and easy transit access. A solid choice if you want something a bit less tourist-heavy.
Burnaby is worth considering if you want more space for your money. It’s connected to downtown by SkyTrain in under 30 minutes and is home to one of the best Belgian beer destinations in the whole of Canada (more on that below).
Book early. Vancouver accommodation fills up fast during World Cup matches, and June 28 is a Saturday.
Belgian Beer in Vancouver: The One You Need to Know About
Most fan guides will point you to the nearest sports bar and call it done.
This one won’t.
Dageraad Brewing in Burnaby is one of the most interesting craft breweries in Canada, and it specializes in Belgian-style beer. Proper Belgian-style beer. Saisons, tripels, dubbels, abbey ales. They’ve been brewing in the Belgian tradition since 2014 and have built a serious reputation for it.
The taproom is at 3191 Thunderbird Crescent, Burnaby. It’s relaxed, unpretentious, and the beer is genuinely excellent. For a Red Devils supporter who wants a taste of home before or after the match, there is no better stop in the city. Make the trip. You won’t regret it.
Back in downtown Vancouver, the craft beer scene is strong. A few worth knowing:
Parallel 49 Brewing (Hastings-Sunrise) — large brewery, great range, solid food
Brassneck Brewery (Main Street) — small, quality-focused, always worth a visit
33 Acres Brewing (Mount Pleasant) — clean, modern taproom with excellent lagers and ales
Postmark Brewing (Railtown) — easy to reach, great atmosphere on big sports days
For Belgian imports on tap or by the bottle, check out Biercraft Tap & Tapas on West Broadway. It stocks one of the better European beer selections in the city and is a natural home for supporters who want Duvel or Leffe rather than local craft.
Where to Watch the Build-Up
June 28 is a Saturday, which means the whole city will be in matchday mode. Most sports bars downtown will be showing World Cup games all day. A few worth targeting:
Shark Club Bar & Grill (downtown) is one of Vancouver’s best-known sports bars. Multiple large screens, decent beer selection, and reliably busy for major international fixtures. Get there early.
The Blarney Stone (Gastown) has a long history as a European football pub. It draws a proper football crowd and has the kind of atmosphere that suits a World Cup game.
Craft Beer Market (downtown and other locations) is a large venue with a huge tap list and screens throughout. Good for groups, especially if you want quality beer alongside the match coverage.
The Wicklow Irish Pub (downtown) is another reliable option with a strong sports following and a comfortable atmosphere for big game days.
If you’re staying in Burnaby, check what’s showing at local pubs near the SkyTrain line. You can watch the early coverage, then head into the city for the match without rushing.
Food Before and After the Match
Vancouver is one of the best food cities in North America. You will not go hungry.
Pre-match dining:
Gastown is Vancouver’s most atmospheric neighbourhood and a great spot for a pre-match meal. Mix of casual and sit-down restaurants, easy to walk around, and plenty of variety.
Robson Street is reliable for quick bites, international cuisine, and grab-and-go options if you’re tight on time before kick-off.
Yaletown has a strong restaurant scene, slightly more upscale, but worth it for a proper sit-down dinner the night before.
Getting Around Vancouver
Vancouver’s public transit system is clean, reliable, and easy to use. The SkyTrain connects the airport, downtown, Burnaby, and most of the key areas you’ll need. A Compass Card (the reloadable transit pass) covers SkyTrain, buses, and the SeaBus ferry to North Vancouver. You can tap on and off without buying individual tickets.
For matchday: BC Place is served by both the Canada Line and the Expo Line. Multiple stations are within walking distance of the stadium. Expect significant crowds post-match, give yourself extra time or walk one station up the line to avoid the worst of it.
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft both operate in Vancouver. Handy for late nights or if you’re staying further from downtown, but traffic around BC Place after a sold-out World Cup match will be slow. Transit is usually faster.
Walking: Downtown Vancouver is compact and easy to navigate on foot. From Yaletown to BC Place is about a 10-minute walk. From Gastown, budget around 25 minutes.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Arrive
Weather in late June
Vancouver in late June is typically warm and dry, expect highs around 20–24°C. Pack a light jacket for evenings near the water, but you won’t need anything heavy.
Currency
Canadian dollars. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere. ATMs are widely available downtown.
Time zone
Vancouver is on Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) in summer, which is UTC-7. Belgium is UTC+2 in summer, a 9-hour difference. Worth factoring in if you’re catching other World Cup games on Belgian time.
Alcohol rules
BC has specific liquor laws. Most bars stop serving at 2am. You can’t take alcohol off licensed premises, so keep that in mind if you’re planning a long matchday session.
Ready for June 28?
Vancouver is a world-class city hosting a world-class tournament. The Belgium vs New Zealand match on June 28 will be one of the highlights of the Vancouver schedule, and the city will be buzzing.
Get your accommodation sorted early, make the trip to Dageraad in Burnaby, book a table at Chambar, and get to BC Place in time to soak up the atmosphere before kick-off.
Allez les Diables Rouges.
Planning your trip to Vancouver for the 2026 World Cup? Nomi Homes has short-term rental apartments across Vancouver and Burnaby. Get more space, more comfort, and a proper home base for your World Cup trip. Browse available listings for June 2026.
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