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Vancouver ranked best World Cup host city by Sports Illustrated,
Toronto No. 3

   The Canadian Press | Posted: June 7, 2026 10:21 PM | Last
   Updated: June 7

   The magazine cited Vancouver’s transit, walkability and mild
   summer weather in ranking it first

   Image | Fifa Prep

   Caption: Science World is pictured wrapped as a soccer ball for
   the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Vancouver on Friday, June 5, 2026.
   (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
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   Sports Illustrated magazine says Vancouver is the best of 16
   cities hosting World Cup matches, citing transportation,
   walkability and mild weather for topping its ranking list
   released this month.
   In fact, both Canadian host cities fared well on the list, with
   Toronto ranking No. 3, just after Seattle.
   The magazine says Vancouver has a "subway" connecting the
   downtown core with the airport and surrounding suburbs, but the
   article doesn't differentiate between the SkyTrain's Expo and
   Millennium lines or the Canada Line.
   Sports Illustrated says B.C. Place stadium's downtown location
   and proximity to bars and restaurants means fans could avoid
   needing to drive unlike other host cities.
     * B.C. government modelling predicts hosting FIFA will
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       off in Vancouver

   It says the Canadian west coast has mild summer temperatures
   with Vancouver also being "surrounded by beaches," with viewing
   parties and free fan events.
   The magazine's rankings say American and Europeans may also
   find Vancouver to be affordable compared to other host cities
   because the Canadian dollar's value compared to U.S. dollars
   and euros. The rankings placed Vancouver at the top, with San
   Francisco in last place in part because its stadium is far from
   the city's downtown.
   In Toronto, that's not a problem. The proximity of the stadium
   to downtown and Lake Ontario, as well as the city's
   multiculturalism were cited as reasons for its high ranking.

   Image | Gastown Steamclock

   Caption: Gastown Steamclock is pictured in Vancouver, British
   Columbia on Wednesday June 16, 2021. The B.C. government
   projected that between 2026 and 2031, Vancouver's seven FIFA
   World Cup games would result a million additional
   out-of-province visitors. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
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   "The downtown will be enthralled by World Cup fever," the
   article says.
   It also regards Toronto's 40,000-seat venue as a plus, as it
   will be more intimate than some of the other much larger
   stadiums in the tournament.
   B.C. Premier David Eby said in a post on X, formerly Twitter,
   that he's "proud to see B.C.’s vibrant city get the recognition
   it deserves — especially up against 16 of North America’s
   best."
   The magazine's rankings of each host city mention the venues
   holding the matches, and potential transportation woes.

   Image | FIFA CANADA FLAG GROUSE

   Caption: A giant Canada flag was unfurled on Grouse Mountain in
   North Vancouver on June 2 ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
   (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
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   Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, the article said, is "well
   outside the city." 


   "Fans will be able to use a coach bus system connecting the
   airport and other attractions to the stadium," the article
   says. "Still, most will opt to drive, only to face traffic
   jams."
   New York and New Jersey placed 13th out of 16, with the
   magazine reporting that fans will have to rely on overcrowded
   public transit, while the "home of the World Cup final is a
   nightmare to get to."
   "MetLife Stadium sits in a converted swamp in New Jersey’s
   Meadowlands," the article said.
   The magazine ranked host cities by "analyzing the venue, match
   schedule, location, climate, transit, tourist activities,
   walkability and bonus fan experiences," it said.

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