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Training Sites

As Vancouver prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2026™, work is underway to prepare a vital component of this event - the Venue Specific Training Sites (VSTS). Participating national teams use VSTS to train and prepare for matches. In Vancouver, the primary VSTS will be at Killarney Park. The City is also pursuing plans to secure a secondary site at the National Soccer Development Centre on the UBC Vancouver campus.

What to expect at the KILLARNEY VSTS

The VSTS is being designed to meet event requirements, ensuring teams have the privacy and resources they need to train and prepare for their matches. This temporary facility will include grass soccer pitches, field lights, locker rooms, and a press conference room. The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation (“Park Board”) commenced construction of the Killarney Park training site in January 2025. From now until the tournament is over, access to certain areas of Killarney Park, including Fields C and E and Diamonds NW, NE, and EC, will be restricted. During this time period, access to other grass fields at Killarney Park will also be reduced as Park Board completes major upgrades in alignment with its Sport Field Strategy.

what to expect at the national soccer development centre (nsdc)

The NSDC is a world-class soccer facility and does not require renovation. If the University of British Columbia, the Vancouver Whitecaps, and the City of Vancouver confirm the NSDC as a training site, the facility would be used as a secondary training site for FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Community impacts

Public access to Killarney Park will be limited during the construction and operation phases, from January 2025 through Fall 2026. The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver Host Committee recognizes the importance of Killarney Park to the surrounding communities and the regular visitors who enjoy the site. To minimize the impact on local sports, educational, and community groups, work is underway to seek appropriate locations and alternatives to suit the needs of those affected. This includes relocating lost field booking times at replacement facilities and ensuring alternate locations are within the same geographical area where possible. To learn more about the impacts to Killarney Park, please see the information board of Killarney Park.

Long-term Benefits

  • Enhanced grass sports fields‍
    • New grading, improved soil conditions, drainage, sand, sod turf, and a modern irrigation system will be installed.
  • Upgraded utilities‍
    • Infrastructure to support future enhancements, including a future sport hub site at Killarney Park, as part of long-term renewal projects.
  • Modern field lighting‍
    • Installation of high-mast LED field lights for the track oval and Killarney field. These energy-efficient lights will provide better visibility and extend usability into the evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How was Killarney Park selected? Were any other locations considered?

To identify Killarney Park, the City of Vancouver and the Park Board assessed options regionally using criteria such as proximity to downtown, privacy, field capacity, areas of higher vs lower need in the city, neighborhood impacts, similarity in technical characteristics to prevent any competitive advantage, and transit access.

Given Canada's limited comparable facilities, other options considered were removed from the list due to several factors, including pitch quality, impacts on the surrounding area, potential displacement of other events, and the lack of comparable facilities, with Killarney Park emerging as a suitable field.

Was the community consulted on the location of the VSTS?

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver Host Committee are dedicated to keeping residents informed as we finalize plans for the training sites. While the FIFA site selection process involved certain confidentiality requirements, we will continue to share timely updates and information with the community as our work moves forward. Your input is important to us, and we look forward to keeping you informed.

How will the community be informed about updates?

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver Host Committee are dedicated to keeping residents informed and supporting their inquiries as we determine suitable alternative sites for the community where possible.

Over the past few months, we have hosted information sessions for Killarney Park residents and users to share project details, impacts on park spaces, and construction timelines. We will continue to provide regular updates as work progresses.

How long will Killarney Park be closed to the public?

Access to Killarney Park North sports field will be closed beginning January 2025 through to fall of 2026.

When will Killarney Park re-open to the public?

Killarney Park will re-open in fall 2026. Exact dates will be confirmed through the planning and development process.

How much will the training sites cost?

Training sites are part of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver Host Committee budget. For further information on the budget for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver, please see the June 2025 City of Vancouver’s budget update backgrounder which was shared with updated estimates and costs for hosting the tournament.

Will students who use the Killarney Park sports field have an alternative field to use?

A temporary sports field is in the process of being installed on the west side of Killarney Park to provide access to Killarney Secondary students as well as casual community use.

Will the Killarney Park dog off-leash area be closed as well?

The dog off-leash area will temporarily shift to the north portion of west Killarney but remain open throughout.

Will the Killarney track close in January as well?

The track is expected to close around February of 2025 as part of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation’s track renewal project, unconnected to FIFA World Cup 2026™. The walking loops in the park and the surrounding sidewalks and walkways will serve as alternatives in the interim.

How will the tall field lights affect the park and nearby homes?

After the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Vancouver, the lights will be adjusted for regular community use. Once adjusted, the lights at Killarney Park will meet International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) standards, meaning they will limit light spill to levels that are acceptable for nearby homes. The lights will also follow a schedule set by the Park Board's usual operating standards.