Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, has issued the following statement as Tuesday, March 3, 2026, marks 100 days to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Vancouver:

“In 100 days, British Columbia will take its place on the world stage as Vancouver hosts the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“This is the largest single-sport event on the planet. Billions of people watching; hundreds of thousands of visitors to our province. Seven matches will be played at BC Place. More than 350,000 fans are expected to pass through the doors at BC Place. But this moment is about far more than what happens on the pitch. It is about what happens because of it.

“When billions of viewers tune in and thousands visit, they will not only see world-class soccer. They will see a world-class destination with our mountains and coastlines, our vibrant cities and welcoming communities, our innovation and clean economy, and our cultural diversity and creativity. They will see a province confident in who we are and ambitious about where we are going.

“The world will also see something else: opportunity. Through the Province’s Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada strategy, leveraging the global exposure from FIFA World Cup 26 will open doors to increased tourism visits, creating jobs throughout the province, and new business investments and ventures that will impact British Columbians for generations. Showcasing B.C. on the world stage during the World Cup is not just about pride of who we are and where we live and raise our families, it’s using this exposure as a marketing tool to build new trade partnerships and reinforce our role as Canada’s gateway to the Asia-Pacific.

“We want residents and visitors alike to experience the tournament, whether inside BC Place, at the FIFA Fan Festival, or at community celebrations throughout the province. We will soon announce watch party locations throughout B.C. to ensure participation is accessible and affordable for everyone and announce a legacy initiative to ensure the benefits last long beyond the final whistle.

“We are working closely with local First Nations and community partners to ensure long-term benefits for British Columbians. This includes demonstrating the importance of sport for physical and mental well-being, and as a way to bring communities together and bridge divides.

“From Vancouver Island to the Kootenays, from the North to the Fraser Valley, hosting the World Cup is a shared provincial celebration. We are making a strategic investment to ensure the social and economic benefits are felt in every region, because this is Team B.C., and on our team, no one rides the bench.

“One hundred days from now, the world will arrive on our doorstep. They’ll see our stadium. Our skyline. Our mountains and ocean. They’ll see opportunity and hope for the future. But most importantly, they’ll see our people. Welcoming. Diverse. Eager. And ready.

“Together, let’s greet it with confidence and pride. Because this is more than a tournament. If British Columbia treats the World Cup not as a 30-day spectacle but as a catalyst for the next 30 years, it can transform a fleeting global moment into a durable social and economic legacy.”