The Vancouver Restaurant Where FIFA Fans Can Feel Victor-ious

The Victor markets itself as a place for winners. Steps from the casino at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, the steak-and-seafood restaurant is known by locals as the place where high-rollers and jackpot tilters go to flex after collecting their payouts. On June 12, The Victor begins what may be its most memorable stretch since it and the hotel opened their doors in 2017, instantly transforming the city’s Entertainment District. On the sixth floor of the property, the restaurant’s patio — featuring an attractive water fountain and often lavished with sunlight — is a free kick away from the exterior of BC Place, the host venue for Vancouver’s seven scheduled 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. Patrons will hear the ruckus inside the stadium so clearly they will feel they’re part of the experience. And they’ll be able to see games in Vancouver and from the other 15 host venues. The Victor is setting up big screens on the patio, in addition to the TVs behind its bar.

Sports-friendly and lunch-friendly options will be added to the menu during the world’s greatest tournament, although there’s already more than enough choices. The Victor has one of the best steak selections in the city, including the hard-to-find Rib Cap, dubbed the “butcher’s butter” for its pliability and flavour. A distinctive feature of the restaurant is its own sushi bar, which has luxury options like Bluefin Tuna, offered in three cuts, and A5 Wagyu nigiri. Soccer players aren’t going to mess up their fitness plans with the crème brulèe donuts or the chocolate whiskey cake, but you shouldn’t hesitate.

On match days, beer will be flowing like it’s Oktoberfest. The wine should follow. The Victor has Canada’s largest in-house Enomatic wine system. Custom built in Italy, the dominating circular beauty features premium wines that can be sampled by the glass. Feeling like a splurge? Especially if Canada beats Qatar or Switzerland? The Victor offers guests the option to purchase a flight of three 2-ounce pours so they can get a sip of high-end Burgundys, Brunellos and big-body Cabs. Definitely a feature that sets the restaurant apart and makes it a standout location for FIFA viewing.

 

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Visitors to Vancouver who want high-quality food and drink to go along with an immersive match-day atmosphere will be drawn to The Victor. Here are other restaurants in downtown Vancouver — selected based on cuisine of some of the 48 competing nations — to satisfy your hunger between or, in some cases, during games. Each spot is no more than a 15-minute walk to BC Place.

ALOUETTE: The French bistro at Hotel Le Soleil is an underdog for a pre- or post-match meal. Chef Albert Tran is dedicated to classic French dishes prepared with west-coast ingredients. The Beef Tartare is a standout and the Niçoise salad whisks you straight to the Mediterranean. Alouette features one of Vancouver’s leading happy-hour menus. It includes options such as Duck Poutine, Moules Frites, and Shrimp Provençal, each for $12. France is currently FIFA’s top-ranked men’s team and Alouette offers a winning taste of some of that nation’s favourite plates.

UCHU: Peruvian-born Ricardo Valverde brings authentic flavours from his home country to Vancouver’s Chinatown. Uchu is the chef/owner’s second restaurant in the city, following the acclaim for Main Street’s Suyo, and it is primarily focused on fish and seafood dishes.

If you want ceviche the way it’s served in Lima, then Uchu is the place. Although Peru didn’t reach the 2026 World Cup, South American neighbours Colombia and Brazil are among the six countries participating from that continent. And, of course, Peru is influenced by the cuisine of Spain, the No. 2-ranked team heading into the tournament.

DESI INDIAN LOUNGE: Sure, India isn’t a soccer powerhouse, but England certainly is and it’s also an Indian food-eating country. And Scotland, too. And Belgium and several of the African countries that have reached the Final 48. Desi Indian Lounge serves tasty curries and biryanis, of course, and some creative dishes that show off the talents of executive chef Balvant (Bal) Ajgaonkar. The highlight for me is the Cardoz Chicken, named in honour of the late Floyd Cardoz, best known as the New York City chef who helped boost the reputation of Indian cuisine in North America. It’s a luscious Goan-style curry with a pungent masala and tangy onion sauce. Other dishes to try: the Tandoori Pear Salad, where the fruit is lightly charred in the oven and served with turmeric yogurt, and the Mango Buratta.

CHAMBAR: No. 9 Belgium is the top-ranked team playing in Vancouver and Chambar is the spot for favourite flavours of that nation. A trio of Moules Frites dishes have been a staple on the venerable restaurant’s menu are the go-to choices. Try the Congolaise, with tomato coconut cream and smoked chili. Along with cuisine from the low country, Chambar is also known for having arguably the best selection of Belgian beers on the Canadian west coast. It’s where fans of Kevin De Bruyne will want to raise a pint before and after watching the Belgian star in action.

THE PATIO AT FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM: The five-star hotel will feature a pop-up patio designed as a sports lounge. Opening on May 28, the lounge will show World Cup games, and other  sports throughout summer. The patio will also feature a food truck operated in partnership with 33 Acres Brewing.

Science World Gets a Kick Out of the World Cup

Like Vancouver’s restaurants, the city’s attractions are also gearing up for soccer frenzy. Most strikingly is the change to the iconic Science World dome, which has been wrapped to appear like the Trionda, the name of the official ball of the FIFA tournament. Inside: more soccer playfulness.

The “Soccer and Technology from the FIFA Museum” debuted on Friday and is an interactive showcase of the sport and how it has evolved through innovation. Among the exhibition’s highlights are the Innovation Lab, which explores how technology shapes the action and enjoyment of soccer games.

Guests can see how the broadcast of the tournament has evolved over the years, particularly with fan engagement and innovations. With a record number of viewers expected for the 2026 World Cup — following the cumulative 5 billion who watched broadcasts of the 2022 tournament matches from Qatar — the behind-the-scenes experience at the exhibit seems particularly relevant. Fans can sit in a director’s booth to get a sense of how camera angles are selected and what decisions need to be made rapidly so viewers do not miss any key moments of a match.

Presented by the Province of British Columbia and in partnership with Hisense, FIFA’s exclusive Video Assistant Referee (VAR) provider, the exhibition runs until September 7. Science World is the first location in North America to host the show, which is quite a coup. The FIFA Museum in Zurich has never had a travelling exhibit before and to bring it to British Columbia says something about Science World’s team and the program initiated. The attraction’s curators worked with the FIFA Museum to shape the exhibit with World Cup history and features.

New Coin Commemorates the 2026 FIFA Tournament

On Thursday, the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a special $1 circulation coin celebrating Canada’s role as one of the three host countries for the World Cup. The coin-unveiling ceremony, which took place at BC Place, featured Victor Montagliani, a high-ranking FIFA member who lives in Vancouver and has been integral in connecting the city to the sport’s major governing body. He helped to open the ceremony with a number of dignitaries, including Canadian Olympian Melissa Tancredi. The event took place one month before the games begin and kicked off an exciting series of activities related to the tournament. Canada will play two matches in Vancouver, which is expecting to see record tourism numbers for June because of the World Cup.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP MATCHES AT BC PLACE

Group Stage (All Times Pacific Standard)
June 13: Australia vs. Türkiye, 9 p.m.
June 18: Canada vs. Qatar, 3 p.m.
June 21: New Zealand vs. Egypt, 6 p.m.
June 24: Canada vs. Switzerland, 12 p.m.
June 26: New Zealand vs. Belgium, 8 p.m.

Round of 32
July 2: Teams TBD, 8 p.m.

Round of 16
July 7: Teams TBD, 1 p.m.

Website: Learn about tickets, fan zones, and more in Vancouver, Toronto, and elsewhere at FIFA.com.