Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver Unveils Massive Concert Lineup for World Cup 2026 at the PNE
From global chart-toppers to rising local names, Vancouver is lining up a packed summer. The FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver is turning the PNE into a major concert hub during the FIFA World Cup 2026, with one of the biggest live music programs the city has seen in years.
The first wave of artists has been announced, mixing international stars with Canadian talent. The festival will run across 28 days, with multiple performances scheduled throughout, anchored by a ticketed amphitheatre concert series at Hastings Park. More artists set for the free park stage and daily programming are still to come.
Two key shows stand out right away. Mötley Crüe will headline a July 12 concert alongside Finger Eleven and Toque. A few days later, electronic duo Kx5 take over on July 17 with special guests.
Tickets for the amphitheatre series go on presale March 31 at 10 a.m. through April 1 at 10 p.m., with general sales opening April 2. Fans can sign up now at www.vancouverfwc26.ca/fifa-fan-festival/entertainment to access the presale before tickets open to the public on April 2.
The lineup covers a wide range of genres, from rock and pop to hip-hop, electronic, and global sounds. Alongside big-name acts, the festival puts a strong spotlight on Canadian artists, especially from British Columbia. Names like Snotty Nose Rez Kids, The Funk Hunters, Five Alarm Funk, Current Swell, Jesse Roper, The Boom Booms, Shawn Hook, and Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer highlight the local scene, alongside acclaimed Inuk artist Elisapie.
Beyond ticketed shows, part of the amphitheatre will stay open to the public. A general admission floor with space for about 2,600 people will be available on a first-come basis during match days, giving fans a free way to catch live music. The two July headline concerts will require paid tickets.
Matches from the FIFA World Cup™ will be screened across the grounds, including inside the amphitheatre, making it a central spot for both soccer and live music.
“Vancouver is ready to show the world how we celebrate,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “We’re incredibly lucky to be welcoming such a talented lineup of artists for this once-in-a-generation experience. The FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver will be at the heart of the action this summer, bringing residents and visitors together for a celebration that will be remembered for years to come.”
The Province of British Columbia is backing the festival as part of a push to spotlight the region globally.
“This festival is more than a celebration of the beautiful game – it is a vibrant showcase of how music, sport and culture can unite the world together,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “By presenting an extraordinary lineup that blends global headliners with exceptional Canadian and local artists, we are creating an unforgettable world-class experience that showcases our creative industries and builds a cultural legacy that will resonate across British Columbia and the world for years to come.”
Organizers expect strong turnout across the full 28-day run, with the amphitheatre acting as a key draw.
“We’ve curated a 28-day program that ensures every fan, whether they are here for the matches or the music, finds something to love,” said Jessie Adcock, Vancouver Host Committee Lead. “From the brand-new amphitheatre to the park stage to our immersive cultural programming, the scale of this festival is significant for Vancouver. We’re thrilled to provide a free, accessible space where the world can experience our city’s hospitality and creative spirit.”
Concert Schedule
(Show times TBA; headliners listed first)
June 11 – The Revivalists, with Current Swell and Mariachi Los Dorados
June 12 – The Funk Hunters and Down With Webster, with Famous Players
June 13 – Lazy Syrup Orchestra
June 14 – Cameron Whitcomb, with Five Alarm Funk
June 17 – Shawn Desman, with The Boom Booms
June 18 – Chromeo, with Mariachi Tabasko
June 19 – John Butler, with Mazacote
June 20 – Jade Eagleson, with Dawson Gray
June 21 – Snotty Nose Rez Kids, with Indian City
June 24 – Bob Moses, with Los Duendes
June 25 – Our Lady Peace, with Dr. Strangelove
June 26 – Metric, with Ozomatli
June 27 – Alan Doyle, with Bedouin Soundclash
June 28 – Shakey Graves, with The Sadies
July 2 – Simple Plan, with JJ Wilde
July 3 – Ziggy Marley, with Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer and Crystal Shawanda
July 4 – Walk off the Earth, with FIONN and The Washboard Union
July 5 – Thievery Corporation, with Elisapie
July 7 – Arkells, with Golden and Shawn Hook
July 9 – Flo Rida, with Reve and Habana Cafe
July 10 – Johnny Reid and Iam Tongi
July 11 – Dallas Smith, with The Heels
July 12 – Mötley Crüe, with Finger Eleven and Toque
July 14 – The Glorious Sons, with The Blue Stones
July 15 – TBA
July 17 – Kx5
July 18 – The Dead South, with Jesse Roper and Tyson Venegas
July 19 – Kaytranada, with Lou Phelps
Festivals
HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026 – Recap & Photos
The Prudential Center was absolutely buzzing as it hosted the much-anticipated HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026, a classic highlight of New York’s summer music scene. This event is all about bringing together the best of the best in hip hop, rap, and R&B, creating a stage where both rising stars and seasoned veterans can shine.
This year’s lineup was stacked, featuring big names like French Montana, Max B, DaBaby, and G Herbo, promising to be “the biggest party ever to hit an arena.” To keep the party jumping, Hot 97 enlisted the help of legendary on-air personalities Funkmaster Flex, Nessa, and the Mornings with Mero team. As anticipated, the lineup drew a packed house, completely selling out the venue.
Hip Hop heads can go all the way back to the 90s to see just why something like this matters so much to the culture. Over the years, HOT 97 Summer Jam has given us unforgettable moments, from sparking epic rap feuds to reuniting legendary groups. This year was no different, packed with standout highlights. It’s not false advertising to say something iconic will happen on a Summer Jam stage – it’s expected.
One of the biggest moments of the night was Fetty Wap‘s homecoming. The crowd went wild for hits like “679” and “My Way,” though he had to cut his set short because of time limits. As the show rolled on, Yung Miami brought the energy with her summer banger “Spend Dat,” even tossing stacks of cash into the audience, causing a frenzy with everyone trying to stuff their pockets. Emerging artists were also front and center, like Zeddy Will, who energized the crowd from the upper bowl. DaBaby also brought his infectious energy to the crowd as he ran through his catalog, connecting with the fans in a unique way that really elevated the atmosphere.
On a sultry R&B vibe, Mariah the Scientist performed hits like “Is It a Crime” and “Burning Blue,” showcasing her killer stage presence and stunning vocals. The night wrapped up with French Montana, who brought out Max B and Remy Ma to help perform nostalgic Coke Boys favorites like “Unforgettable,” “Stay Schemin,” and “Ever Since You Left Me.” Despite their busy schedules with tours and new music releases, it’s great to see these artists giving back to the culture. They provided fans with a taste of their musical talents while solidifying their place in Summer Jam history. The surprise guests who were not listed on the lineup truly made this showcase unforgettable. We had the chance to see Lola Brooke, Fat Joe, and the entire cast of Zeus Network’s hit show, The Baddies. It truly was the hottest ticket of the weekend.
I just wished we could have partied a little longer. Some acts were unable to hit the stage for the final curtain, but on all accounts, the Hot 97 team delivered a show they can be proud of. HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026 left everyone hyped. Funkmaster Flex hosted the night flawlessly, keeping the energy high and the transitions smooth between acts. You can bet that the fans are already hyped for what next year has in store, eagerly locked into Hot 97 on the radio for the next Summer Jam lineup. I’ll be looking out for that announcement too; I know they are already cooking for 2027.
Check out our favorite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: @GALLERYBYTM | Anthony Grant Photography
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – Kaytranada
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE closed out another memorable week on Sunday with the biggest match in world football and a fitting musical finale. Fans packed the site well before kickoff, creating a sea of jerseys, flags, and face paint as they gathered to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina. Every big chance was met with gasps and cheers, and when Spain secured the victory, the celebrations spread across the festival grounds as supporters soaked in the final moments of a month-long tournament.
There was little time for the excitement to settle before the day’s entertainment shifted from football to live music. Montreal’s Kaytranada took over the Amphitheatre stage, giving fans one last reason to keep the energy going after the trophy presentation. Known for blending house, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music into a sound that feels uniquely his own, Kaytranada delivered exactly the kind of set the festival needed to close the weekend.
With Spain crowned world champions and Kaytranada providing the soundtrack to the celebration, the FIFA Fan Festival wrapped up another successful day at the PNE. It was a reminder that throughout the tournament, football and music proved to be the perfect combination, bringing thousands of people together to celebrate on and off the pitch.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
KAYTRANADA
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer