If you were anywhere near downtown Vancouver last night, you didn’t need a ticket to BC Place to feel the energy. You could hear it in the chants echoing off the glass towers, see it in the smoke-stained sunset, and—if you were unlucky—smell it in the form of spilled beer and Vegemite.
Vancouver finally got its long-awaited FIFA World Cup moment on Saturday, June 13, and the city did not disappoint. With Australia taking on Turkey in the first of seven matches hosted by the city, the streets transformed into a celebration of global fandom. But make no mistake: while the flags of two nations flew high, it was the Green and Gold Army that turned the Granville Strip into a little slice of the Southern Hemisphere.
Here is everything you missed if you weren’t on the front lines of Vancouver’s World Cup opener.
The Scene: A Pedestrian Takeover
The usual weekend hustle of Granville Street was replaced by a sea of jerseys. Thanks to the city’s transformation of the corridor into a pedestrian-only zone, fans spilled out of packed pubs and onto expanded patios. Street performers, giant soccer balls, and photo installations created a carnival atmosphere. but the real story wasn’t the infrastructure—it was the invasion.
Postmedia photographers captured stunning images of crowds so dense that movement was reduced to a slow shuffle. According to The Globe and Mail, estimates of Australian supporters in the city varied wildly. The supporters’ group “Green and Gold Army” counted roughly 6,000 Aussies at the game, including 550 who flew directly from Down Under. However, Football Australia’s data suggested the number was closer to 10,000, based on ticket sales.
Jarrod Bradbury, a Canberra native now living in Vancouver, joked to reporters that the true figure might be closer to 30,000 who landed in the last 48 hours. Walking down Robson Street, you’d be hard-pressed to disagree with him.
Fashion Forward (And Fearless)
You haven’t truly seen World Cup fashion until you’ve watched a grown man in a yellow blazer, lime green trousers, and a foam Elvis wig trying to explain the rules of soccer.
Enter Michael Kersten, a solo traveler from Perth who stole the show. Kersten, a medical sales consultant, is following the Socceroos to Seattle and San Francisco after this match. His Elvis tribute suit—which has apparently survived three World Cups—was accessorized with four tiny koala pins clipped to his lapels.
When asked by a reporter if he was overheating in the 28°C (82°F) sunshine, Kersten admitted he was “extremely” hot. His solution? Keep the sweat contained. “I don’t want to take anything off because the sweat will just dribble everywhere.”
The “Shoey”: Australia’s Grossest Tradition
If you saw a video on TikTok this morning of a man drinking beer from a sneaker, that happened in Vancouver. the “shoey”—an Australian ritual where you pour a pint into your own (or a friend’s) dirty shoe and chug it—made its North American World Cup debut. The crowd erupted as one fan downed the footwear cocktail, proving that some traditions transcend hygiene. perhaps the most surprising logistical hurdle of the night? The beer shortage.
Outside the unofficial Aussie headquarters downtown, word spread that the pub had run dry of everything except Guinness. Panic briefly set in until a “truck full of kegs” was announced to be en route. Crisis averted.
The Turkish Contingent and The Weather Surprise
While the Aussies dominated the headlines, the Turkish fans brought their own fiery passion. Hasan Basar, who flew in from Turkey just Friday night, admitted he was shocked by the weather. “I didn’t think Vancouver would be a good World Cup experience,” Basar said from the False Creek seawall, standing in the shadow of Science World (converted into a massive match ball). “But it’s burning hot here. It’s so much fun.”
This sentiment was echoed by locals and visitors alike. Usually known for rain, Vancouver rolled out the red carpet with a rare heatwave, making the outdoor Fan Festival and the crowded streets a genuine summer party.
The Cost of Fandom
For those wondering if this was a spontaneous party or a planned pilgrimage, the answer is the latter. Henry Ricketts, Tristan Hurley, and Thomas Wynn are following the Socceroos to every North American game. They snagged tickets during the lottery round, paying $374 each for Vancouver. The catch? Pulling “all-nighters” due to time zone differences to secure the seats.
It’s a hefty price tag for a soccer game, but standing in that crowd, listening to the roar of BC Place, it’s hard to put a price on the memory.
read also: From a Refugee Camp to Taking on the World: Mohamed Touré
Final Score and What’s Next
On the pitch, Australia secured a 2-0 victory over Turkey, sending the yellow-clad faithful into a frenzy. For Vancouver, this was just a warm-up act. the city will host six more matches in this tournament. If the energy of opening night—complete with budgie smugglers, Elvis tributes, and beer shortages—is any indication, we are in for a wild ride.
Were you on Granville Street last night? Did you see the shoey happen live? Let us know in the comments below!
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