Canada’s emphatic 6:0 win over Qatar on Thursday has sent a wave of national pride through the entire country.
And for those who want to see that excitement at BC Place, it just got a lot more expensive.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than this. In one word, it’s complete pandemonium,” said local ticket reseller, Kingsley Bailey.
He adds that demand for Canada’s upcoming match against Switzerland jumped dramatically as the route unfolded.
“As soon as they won that game, actually halfway through the match, at hydration time, the ticket prices just went up 25 per cent right off the bat,” the manager of Vancouver Ticket Service said.
The interest has continued to climb since the final whistle, with fans rushing to secure seats at BC Place.
“For Switzerland, it’s through the roof,” Bailey said.
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But how much will it cost for a single seat?
Tickets for Wednesday’s match are available, but at a wide price range.
As of Saturday, the cheapest ticket on FIFA’s resale website is about $1,300, while one ambitious ticket holder is selling one seat in the nosebleeds for nearly $900,000.
And for many supporters, the lofty price isn’t standing in the way.
Bailey says that fans are willing to pay a premium for the chance to be part of what he says will be a historic moment for Canada soccer.
“You want to witness history, go to Canada-Switzerland because you are going to see Canada qualify at the top of their group by the end of that game,” Bailey said.
The excitement isn’t limited to local fans. Bailey adds that tourists from around the world have come through his door, all hoping to be inside BC Place for Canada’s World Cup journey.
“And you didn’t even realize there’s a soccer game on, you might want to go, don’t you?” he told customers.
Bailey believes that the scale of interest now surpasses anything the city saw during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
“There’s no comparison. 2010 was a precursor to what’s happening today. You cannot even compare.”
With Canada capturing the attention of the soccer world, that demand for seats at BC Place shows no signs of slowing down.
As the men’s national team continues its historic World Cup run, fans are hoping to secure their place in what could become a defining chapter in Canadian sports history.