Photo by Jason Payne
Vancouver’s first World Cup match pushed TransLink ridership past one million boardings, marking its busiest Saturday since the 2010 Olympics.
Vancouver’s first FIFA World Cup match delivered more than excitement on the pitch. It also sparked a massive surge in public transit use across Metro Vancouver.
As thousands of fans travelled to B.C. Place, the FIFA Fan Fest at the PNE, and destinations throughout the region, TransLink recorded its busiest Saturday event day since the 2010 Winter Olympics.
More Than One Million Boardings Recorded
TransLink reported more than 1.03 million boardings across its network on Saturday, June 13. A boarding counts each time a passenger steps onto a bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, or other transit service.
At the same time, preliminary figures showed about 648,200 daily trips, representing a 17.8 per cent increase compared with a typical Saturday.
The numbers highlight the huge impact the World Cup has already had on transportation across Metro Vancouver.
SkyTrain and SeaBus See Major Growth
While every transit service experienced increased demand, SkyTrain recorded some of the strongest gains.
Here is how match-day ridership compared with a regular Saturday:
- Total boardings: 1,031,000, up 14.3 per cent
- Total trips: 648,200, up 17.8 per cent
- Unique passengers: 355,000, up 16.3 per cent
- SkyTrain: 447,200 boardings, up 25 per cent
- Bus: 558,300 boardings, up 6.6 per cent
- SeaBus: 24,500 boardings, up 37.4 per cent
- West Coast Express: 500 passengers on a special Saturday service
Notably, SeaBus posted the largest percentage increase, as more people travelled between North Vancouver and downtown Vancouver.
TransLink Added Extra Service Ahead of the Match
To handle the expected crowds, TransLink boosted service across the region.
The transit agency added 600 extra bus trips and increased service to the FIFA Fan Fest in east Vancouver. In addition, SkyTrain operating hours were extended into the night.
Extended SkyTrain service will also be available for evening World Cup matches scheduled for June 26 and July 2.
B.C. Place Area Experiences Record Demand
Transit stations near B.C. Place experienced exceptionally heavy traffic throughout the day.
In fact, stations serving the stadium recorded their highest Saturday ridership levels since the 2010 Olympics. The numbers even surpassed ridership seen during major events such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stop in Vancouver and Lionel Messi’s appearance against the Vancouver Whitecaps last year.
Fans attending matches at B.C. Place continued to follow the designated “Last Mile” route, walking from Main Street–Science World Station because Stadium–Chinatown Station remains unavailable on match days.
Transit Plays a Key Role During Major Events
According to TransLink, the ridership increase demonstrates how essential public transit is during large-scale events.
The agency noted that transit not only moves fans efficiently but also keeps residents connected to workplaces, businesses, and other destinations throughout the region.
Customer Calls Remain Low Despite Higher Ridership
Interestingly, customer inquiries rose only slightly despite the significant increase in passenger numbers.
TransLink’s customer information call centre received 1,547 calls on Saturday. That represented a modest 3.3 per cent increase compared with an average Saturday during June and July 2025.
Most callers sought trip-planning assistance, suggesting many passengers prepared their journeys before leaving home.
Strong Start for Vancouver’s World Cup Transit Operations
The opening World Cup match between Turkey and Australia delivered a major test for Metro Vancouver’s transit system. Based on the early numbers, TransLink handled the challenge successfully.
With more than one million boardings and record-breaking demand at key stations, the tournament has already generated transit activity not seen since the 2010 Olympics. As Vancouver prepares to host more matches in the coming weeks, transit officials will look to build on that strong start.
