Vancouver Transit Ridership Surges During World Cup

Vancouver transit ridership increased by more than 600,000 boardings across seven World Cup match days as TransLink moved record crowds throughout Metro Vancouver during the tournament.

According to TransLink’s preliminary tournament summary⁠, the network handled an average of 87,000 additional boardings on each match day, an 8.1% increase from projected normal demand. More than one million people used transit each week during the first four weeks of World Cup activity, including over 100,000 additional weekly users. 

Vancouver transit ridership reaches six-year peak

The busiest day came on June 24, when Canada faced Switzerland at BC Place. TransLink recorded nearly 1.4 million boardings and 859,500 complete trips, making it the system’s highest boarding day in more than six years. The distinction matters because one passenger trip can include several boardings when transfers are required. 

A separate June 24 ridership report⁠ showed strong growth across all modes. SkyTrain stations near BC Place averaged 54% more boardings on match days, while system-wide SkyTrain ridership rose 18%. SeaBus boardings increased by more than 80% on the Canada–Switzerland match day.

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“Transit was the backbone of Metro Vancouver’s World Cup experience, and each day there were thousands of employees working around the clock to move extraordinary crowds while keeping the region running,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “They planned for nearly two years, adapted in real time, and delivered one of the strongest transit operations in our history. Their work connected people to matches, celebrations, restaurants, hotels, and destinations across the region, fueling the economy beyond the tournament.”

Vancouver transit ridership stays high off match days

The increase was not limited to the seven matches staged at BC Place⁠. TransLink estimated approximately 44,000 additional boardings on each non-match day, equal to a 4.2% increase over normal levels. 

Despite the heavier passenger volumes, Customer Information calls fell 7.6% from June 2025 and reached their lowest June level since 2022. More than 3,800 items were also submitted to Lost Property during June, over 500 more than a year earlier. 

TransLink said extra service, staffing, planning and customer information helped the region absorb event demand while limiting pressure on roads and supporting travel to businesses, hotels, fan zones and other destinations.