If you’re going to be spending time in the West Coast city this summer, the vibe will very much be FIFA and all things soccer. Even if you don’t get tickets to a game, there are plenty of ways to embrace the sport. Below, five ways to get into soccer culture in Vancouver this summer!

Little Italy’s Caffe Soccavo

Away from the modern high rises of the downtown core is East Vancouver which is home to the historic Little Italy neighbourhood on Commercial Drive. This is where incredible Italian (and many Portuguese!) businesses have been thriving since the end of the second world war. It’s also one of the city’s more lively neighbourhoods. With that European flair comes major soccer fandom! 

This is a part of the city where you can definitely expect the area’s bars and cafes to be televising games, especially during major tournaments. One specific spot to consider is Caffe Soccavo, a newer establishment where diasporas convene to watch games featuring teams from their home countries. Not only do they always have a game on, but they also serve some of the best pizza in the area, in addition to fantastic coffee, all for a reasonable price. With its unique charm and soccer-loving vibe, a day out at Commercial Drive during the World Cup is highly recommended (despite Italy not being in the World Cup this year).

Swangard Stadium

For a lot of us, attending the World Cup in person is not affordable… especially if you’re travelling on a budget. But don’t worry—the World Cup games aren’t your only chance to watch live soccer in the city this summer. Hop on the Expo Line heading south on Vancouver’s rapid Skytrain system, and you’ll soon find yourself at Patterson Station. Time this right, and you’ll notice soccer fans all heading in the same direction, past the cascading trees of Central Park and towards the picturesque Swangard Stadium, a hidden gem just outside of Vancouver’s official city limits. 

The stadium is the official home to three local soccer teams. Each will be playing two games during the World Cup window, meaning you’ll have plenty of opportunities to attend at least one. One of those teams is the Vancouver Rise, one of eight professional women’s soccer teams in Canada and the reigning champions of the Northern Super League. Canada’s only supporter-owned soccer club, TSS Rovers, is another. Tickets are affordable, ranging from $10 to $40 for basic admission, a much welcomed contrast to the expense of World Cup tickets.

The following games take place at Swangard Stadium during the World Cup window:

• Rise v Ottawa Rapid (June 14 @ 2pm)

• Whitecaps FC 2 v San Jose Earthquakes II (June 17 @ 6pm)

• TSS Rovers v Vancouver Rise/Whitecaps (June 26 @ 6pm)

• Rise v AFC Toronto (June 28 @ 2pm)

• TSS Rovers v Unity FC (June 30 @ 6pm)

• Whitecaps FC 2 v Ventura County (July 7 @ 6pm)

FIFA Fan Festival at Hastings Park

One of the conditions of being a World Cup host city is the fan festival requirement. In plain terms, each city must create a gathering place for fans to congregate for live viewings of games. Vancouver’s festival site will be at the newly-erected PNE amphitheatre in Hastings Park. Some tickets for the festival are free and include over 60 live music performances, with screens showing games dotted around the site. If you want a ticket under the new amphitheatre, expect to pay, with prices varying depending on the profile of the match.

While you’re in Hastings Park, be sure to check out one of Vancouver’s more quirky soccer spots. Close to the fan festival is Empire Field, home to two artificial community soccer turfs and also the site of the Home + Away Bleacher, a 17-metre-high, ski-run-inspired soccer bleacher that has the capacity to seat 49 spectators. If your legs allow, you can climb to the top of the narrow bleacher and enjoy views of not only Hastings Park but also the surrounding mountains, water, and urban sprawl.

Soccer at Granville Island

Granville Island—a picturesque location closer to downtown—is another viewing point for World Cup soccer. Here you’ll find a public market, restaurants, bars, independent shops, and outdoor seating allowing scenic views of False Creek. Entry to this site will be free, with 92 of the 104 matches being shown to a capacity of 1,000 seated spectators. Arriving by water taxi is the best way to get to Granville Island. These handy little ferries operate throughout the summer and are an efficient way to travel along False Creek.

Sunset Beach Ferry Dock is just a seven-minute walk from HI Vancouver Downtown, with Granville Island just one stop away on False Creek Ferries.

Carnaval del Sol

If you’re into Latin American food, culture, sport, and music, Carnaval del Sol is the festival for you. From July 10 to 12, Carnaval del Sol will take over Jonathan Rogers Park in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood of Vancouver. 

One of the many highlights from previous years has been the street soccer tournament that takes place over the course of the weekend. If you want to take part, you’ll have to find a team prior, but just watching on the side is thrilling enough. On Friday and Saturday, the festival will overlap with three World Cup quarterfinal games, and with several of the Latin American nations expected to progress far in the tournament, you can pretty much expect a big screen with a passionate audience. Tickets for the weekend cost $70 or you can buy an individual day ticket.