The City of Vancouver is betting that the construction of the new amphitheatre at the PNE will be done by the summer of 2026.
The city has announced the yet-to-be-built venue will host the FIFA Fan Festival when the World Cup comes to town in almost exactly two years. The new $104 million amphitheatre is expected to seat around 10,000 people and will have a big screen above the stage.
"The FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver promises to be the ultimate destination for those without a match ticket to soak in the excitement during the 2026 tournament," says Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim in a press release.
The Hastings Park venue is expected to open in 2026. This year, the PNE Fair's summer concert series (which is normally held at the current amphitheatre) has been moved to the Pacific Coliseum due to the project.
The municipal government appears excited to show off the new structure as part of the world's biggest sports tournament.
"Fan Festival guests will be especially excited to visit the state-of-the-art new amphitheatre, which will be a major legacy piece for British Columbia as well as a showcase of environmental sustainability and spectacular Canadian wood construction," reads the press release.
What is the FIFA Fan Festival?
The FIFA Fan Festival will take place in host cities across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
And while games will be at B.C. Place, the PNE will be the site for Vancouver's soccer celebrations starting on June 11, 2026, when the World Cup starts.
"Packed with live entertainment, cultural showcases, delicious food, and so much more, this event is set to create an unforgettable fan experience right here in Vancouver," says Sim.
What the event will look like is still being determined.
"Detailed planning is underway, and the dates and hours of operation, programming, activations, and specific content will be announced at a later date," states the city.
The festival, and the tournament, will end on July 19, 2026.
