Vancouver is set to host seven FIFA World Cup matches in June 2026, and the timing has led to the cancellation of a major festival.
Dominic Lai with Dragon Boat BC says the 2026 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival has been called off after they were told by the province they would not be getting a permit for the event.
Lai says they had started being concerned in 2022 when the FIFA dates were announced, considering their rowing grounds are located right next to BC Place Stadium.
“We had reached out to the city and province for further information, so it’s been a journey over the last few years just trying to get more information and understand exactly what the whole city agreement restrictions were,” he said.
“We had a strong suspicion that it would be extremely challenging, so we had proactively gone to the city and the province with a range of options just so that we could try and work around it.”
Lai says the cancellation carries a significant financial impact for Dragon Boat BC.
“To date, we are still waiting for clarification on what that would look like, and so we can’t really see, without knowing, that we can pay our bills,” he said.
This past year was the Dragon Boat Festival’s 37th year, bringing together 200 teams from nine countries.
Tens of thousands of people come to participate, watch, and take in the beer garden and the entertainment during its three-day run in late June.
The City of Vancouver insists the games it will be hosting will bring big benefits to the local economy, with 350,000 visitors expected over the course of five weeks.
