BC Place stadium in Vancouver is racing to complete its final preparations before hosting seven FIFA World Cup matches, with a temporary grass playing surface installed over the artificial turf and a team of groundskeepers tending it daily, according to the report.. The B.C. government has estimated the total hosting cost at between $685 million and $729 million, including a $196-million upgrade to the 43-year-old venue. Don Hardman, executive director of stadium and venue management for FIFA26 Canada, described the process as “moving into a brand-new house ,” with “some finishing touches” still needed before kickoff on Saturday.

The $196-million renovation of a 43-year-old stadium

The B.C. government’s investment in BC Place includes a substantial $196-million upgrade that the source notes is intended to create “positive legacy outcomes” for the stadium after the tournament. Hardman said the goal has been to “maximie what’s existing” while making improvements that will benefit the venue in the long term. The work includes new retail and VIP spaces, FIFA branding on windows and walls, and World Cup-specific menu items such as a maple bacon smoky and short rib poutine.

Seven match days and a near sellout across Vancouver

Vancouver is hosting seven matches during the expanded 48-team tournament, which spans 16 cities across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Hardman told reporters that tickets are “very close to being sold out across all seven match days,” with interest continuing to build. Toronto is also hosting matches, including Canada’s first game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday. The near sellout suggests strong demand for the World Cup in Vancouver, though the source provides no specific attendance figures.

Why temporary grass matters across 16 cities and 16 climates

Organizers installed a temporary grass playing surface over BC Place’s artificial turf to ensure consistency across venues. hardman stated that one of FIFA’s goals was to have “as similar a playing surface as possible in all of the venues” despite the wide range of climates in the host cities. A dedicated maintenance team is now spending several hours each day caring for the grass before each game. the quality of the temporary surface will be a key variable for both player safety and game quality, though the source reports only that organizers believe they have achieved uniformity.

The last-mile pedestrian zone and transit-oriented fan experience

The report highlights that about 80% of attendees are expected to arrive at the stadium via an extended pedestrian stretch called the “last mile,” which will feature games , music, and retail spaces before fans reach a ticket control point near Rogers Arena. Hardman noted that Vancouver’s downtown is “very pedestrian friendly” and that most hotels are within walking distance, encouraging use of public transit. The source does not provide specific details about security or traffic management plans for game days.