British Columbia courts will suspend criminal and civil jury trials from June 12 to July 8, 2026, due to the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver. Police resources will be redirected to manage crowds and public safety amid expected hundreds of thousands of visitors. The move aims to address challenges in court operations during the tournament.
The Supreme Court of British Columbia has announced that no criminal trials or civil jury trials will proceed between June 12 and July 8, 2026, coinciding with Vancouver's hosting of FIFA World Cup matches. This decision stems from the anticipated strain on police services, as the city prepares for an influx of hundreds of thousands of visitors for the global soccer event.
The BC Sheriff Service, responsible for transporting accused individuals, managing juries, and providing courthouse security, expects reduced capacity during this period. As a result, all scheduled criminal jury trials and judge-alone criminal proceedings must be rescheduled. Individuals with assigned judges can submit a "request to appear" to arrange a case management conference for rescheduling.
Civil proceedings face similar disruptions. No civil jury trials will occur, though parties can convert jury notices to non-jury trials to maintain dates. The court may further limit non-jury civil trials as the event nears, citing difficulties in securing hotel accommodations for deliberating juries and out-of-town witnesses.
"The full extent of the impacts is uncertain and will remain so for some time," the Supreme Court stated in its announcement. A spokesperson added that the court "continues to monitor the situation, according to the information given to the Court by those responsible for the planning, and the Court may adjust as time goes on."
This measure highlights the broader logistical challenges of hosting a major international event like the FIFA World Cup, which will draw on local resources for traffic control, public safety, and crowd management. The tournament, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, marks the first 48-team edition and is set to transform Vancouver's summer schedule.
