VANCOUVER City Council has voted to extend the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone pilot and maintain eligible FIFA-related temporary patios and public realm expansions across the city through the Labour Day long weekend.
The City says the decision builds on the extraordinary success of the FIFA World Cup activation, which transformed Granville Street into one of Canada’s busiest and most vibrant public spaces while supporting local businesses, restaurants, arts organizations and entertainment venues.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim welcomed Council’s decision. He said: “Vancouver has rediscovered what’s possible when we put people at the heart of our city. Granville Street has been full of energy, local businesses are seeing more customers, and residents and visitors have told us loud and clear that they want this momentum to continue.
“Extending the pilot through the summer gives businesses the certainty they need, supports our local economy, and allows us to gather even more data as we continue delivering on the long-term vision for Granville Street.”
By extending these measures, the City says it is allowing our local businesses to capitalize on the investments they’ve made in outdoor spaces during the tournament, while also creating an opportunity to collect additional data on pedestrian activity, transportation, business performance, public safety, and public feedback during both major-event and typical summer conditions.
Council has also directed staff to explore the feasibility of temporarily reactivating the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone in November 2026 to support a potential Christmas Market and gather additional operational and economic performance data. The City will continue working with the Province, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, and TransLink to secure the approvals required to implement the extension.
Council also approved funding to support continued programming and activations in partnership with the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, helping ensure Granville Street remains an active, welcoming destination throughout the summer.
“This summer has shown what can happen when governments, businesses and the community work together to create vibrant public spaces,” said Deputy Mayor Sarah Kirby-Yung who co-sponsored the motion. “We’re excited to keep that momentum going while continuing to build a downtown that is safer, more welcoming and more economically vibrant for everyone.”
