FIFA World Cup in Vancouver to have ‘very significant impacts’ on Lower Mainland courts

The chief justice of the British Columbia Supreme Court is advising the public of some serious disruptions to court proceedings when the FIFA World Cup comes to Vancouver next summer.

The next edition of the global tournament will be hosted across several cities in Canada, the United States and Mexico during June and July 2026.

That includes seven matches at BC Place in Vancouver.

Chief Justice Ron Skolrood says the tournament will have “very significant impacts” on the Supreme Court’s operations in the Lower Mainland between June 12 and July 8, 2026.

A notice from Skolrood says no jury or judge-only criminal trials will take place in Vancouver, New Westminster, Abbotsford or Chilliwack between those dates.

In addition, the number of non-jury civil trials may have to be reduced in the lead up to the event.

“The full extent of the impacts is uncertain and will remain so for some time,” Skolrood’s notice explained. “Further updates will be provided, and potentially further adjustments made, as additional information becomes available.”

Skolrood cites the strain on police resources, heavy traffic that will make it difficult for sheriffs to transport suspects and a potential lack of hotel rooms for jurors as reasons for the expected court disruptions.

He notes that the Supreme Court is committed to having enough capacity for “urgent matters,” but service disruptions during the tournament are “unavoidable.”