Canada's historic World Cup run helps prolong Vancouver restaurants' business boost

The head of B.C.'s Restaurant and Foodservices Association says Canada's historic run in the World Cup has led to a boom for many Vancouver businesses, as the team's journey into the round of 16 extends their tournament by at least six more days.

Ian Tostenson said when any World Cup match is being played, bars, pubs and restaurants in the city are seeing more patrons and an uptick in sales.

He compared it to a car "speeding down a highway" and when Canada is on the pitch, it moves at "warp speed."

"We know that in fan zone areas, we're seeing some bars and restaurants with sale increases of 40 to 50 per cent over what they would typically do this time of year," he said in an interview. 

The Canadian team has had a historic run in this World Cup, defeating South Africa 1-0 in Los Angeles on Sunday and moving to the round of 16 when it faces Morocco in Houston this Saturday.

Tostenson said he thinks Saturday's match will be "the ultimate," noting most bars and restaurants in the city that are planning to stream the game are opening for business around 9 a.m. ahead of the 10 a.m. kickoff.

Jane Talbot, CEO of the Downtown Business Improvement Association, said the atmosphere in Vancouver's downtown core has been "incredibly positive," and that "Canada's run has only added to that momentum."

"The days that Canada plays, whether they're in town or they're somewhere else, it is electric down there," she says.

Talbot said her team is responsible for the Granville Street pedestrian zone, which spans five blocks.

She said the bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants are all doing very well but noted that every business has a different experience.

"Our pubs are really busy, our restaurants are really busy, our clubs are super busy, you know, record-breaking sales," she said.

Good Co. Granville is among them.

Nate Sabine, director of business development for Blueprint, which owns the sports bar, said it has been "shockingly busy" since the World Cup kicked off last month.

"We've never had a business in our 30-year history that did this type of sales volume in a single month," he said in an interview.

Sabine credits the pedestrianization of Granville Street with the success, saying it has become a hub for fans.

He noted the busiest nights are when Canada plays, noting reservations for Saturday's game sold out "immediately."

But he said there is high traffic no matter which teams are playing. 

"This whole FIFA thing -- it's been an unexpected pleasant surprise," he said.

Videos posted to social media on Tuesday after Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 showed Granville Street packed with chanting Mexican fans, who were setting off green smoke canisters and waving the national flag. 

The win ended Mexico's 40-year knockout drought and sent the team to the round-of-16. They will face England in Mexico City on Sunday. 

The celebrations appear to have prompted a police traffic advisory that was issued around 10 p.m. Tuesday, telling drivers to find alternate routes as Granville and Smithe streets were closed to vehicles.  

Sabine said the fans were clearly in "high spirits" after Mexico's victory, but added that, despite the "absolute craziness" that can ensue, fans have remained respectful.

"We haven't had any incidents or any issues within our venue, which is really nice, because when energy is that high, things can happen," he said.

While excitement around the tournament has created a boom for many of Granville's establishments, Talbot noted "not every business is having the same level of success."

But she said the silver lining is that all businesses along the strip are seeing increased foot traffic, "which is great because if they come in and they experience the store once and they like it, they're likely to come back."

As the tournament progresses, now in the knockout rounds, there are fewer games being played each day. Talbot said it is only natural that will slow business slightly.

"I don't think anybody expects the level of crowds that we've had for the first two weeks to continue right through the end, but I do think we all expect it to remain a fun, vibrant, exciting place."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2026.

By Brieanna Charlebois | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.