Canada’s World Cup Success Boosts Vancouver Businesses
The head of B.C.’s Restaurant and Foodservices Association has reported that Canada’s impressive performance in the World Cup has sparked a surge in business for many establishments in Vancouver. With the national team advancing to the round of 16, local bars, pubs, and restaurants can look forward to at least six more days of increased activity.
Ian Tostenson shared that whenever a World Cup match occurs, the city’s eateries see a rise in customers and higher sales. He likened the excitement to a car racing down the highway, saying, “When Canada is on the field, everything speeds up.”
During his interview, he mentioned that some bars and restaurants in fan zone areas have experienced a sales boost of 40 to 50 percent compared to this time last year.
The Canadian team has made history by defeating South Africa 1-0 in Los Angeles, setting up a crucial match against Morocco this Saturday in Houston.
Tostenson believes this upcoming game will be the highlight for local businesses, with many planning to open by 9 a.m. ahead of the 10 a.m. kickoff.
Jane Talbot, CEO of the Downtown Business Improvement Association, remarked that the energy in Vancouver’s downtown is incredibly upbeat, fueled further by Canada’s World Cup journey. “The atmosphere is electric on game days, whether they’re playing at home or away,” she noted.
Talbot oversees the Granville Street pedestrian zone, a vibrant area that includes various bars and restaurants. She acknowledged that while most venues are thriving, each business has its own experience. “Our pubs are packed, our restaurants are buzzing, and clubs are seeing record sales,” she said.
One standout business is Good Co. Granville, whose director of development, Nate Sabine, reported that they’ve never experienced such a high sales volume in a single month in their 30-year history. He attributed this success to the pedestrian-friendly environment of Granville Street, which has become a central spot for fans.
Sabine emphasized that match days draw the largest crowds, with reservations for Saturday’s game quickly filling up. He mentioned that although business is booming for Canada games, the general influx of fans regardless of the teams has been a pleasant surprise.
Social media captured the vibrant celebrations as Mexican fans filled Granville Street after their team’s victory over Ecuador, which ended their 40-year knockout stage drought.
A police advisory was issued that night, urging drivers to find alternate routes as some streets were closed due to the celebrations. Sabine noted that despite the lively atmosphere, fans have largely behaved respectfully, without any issues reported at his venue.
While the World Cup excitement has indeed brought a boost for many businesses, Talbot pointed out that not everyone is seeing the same level of success. However, the increased foot traffic is encouraging for all shops along Granville, as it can lead to new customers returning for future visits.
As the tournament continues into the knockout stages, with fewer matches each day, it’s expected that the frenzy may slow down somewhat. “We don’t anticipate the massive crowds we saw in the first two weeks to last, but we believe the area will remain a fun and vibrant place,” Talbot concluded.
