1,200 police officers deployed in Vancouver on first World Cup match day

An RCMP officer celebrates with Australia fans as they march to the entrance of BC Place before the start of a World Cup Group D soccer match, in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

The first World Cup game in Vancouver brought large crowds, but police say only two arrests were associated with the much-anticipated kickoff match, which saw 1,200 officers deployed across the city.

One person was arrested at the FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE for breaching court-ordered conditions, and an intoxicated fan was taken into custody after refusing to leave BC Place, according to Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Adam Donaldson.

“Considering the size of the event, two arrests is minimal and would be a small number even for a regular Saturday night,” he said in an email to CTV News.

The department was notified in advance that Australian and Turkish fans would be marching and assigned officers to manage the crowds and secure the routes, Donaldson added.

“Police presence is the best way to prevent any public disorder and I think that is what happened last night,” Donaldson’s statement continued.

“Every Vancouver police officer that can work, was working and we have help from the RCMP as well as Calgary police, Edmonton police, and transit police.”

The most recent cost projection for hosting part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Vancouver includes $242 million for safety and security—but it is not clear how much of that money was allocated to policing.