VANCOUVER: As the World Cup arrives in Vancouver, a new BC Hydro survey1 shows it is set to become one of B.C.’s biggest at-home viewing events. Nearly two-thirds of residents plan to host or attend a watch party, second only to the NHL playoffs, and driving a surge in household electricity use.
That surge is being fueled by younger adults, with 73 per cent of Gen Z and 68 per cent of Millennials planning to host or attend a watch party. These gatherings tend to be energy-intensive, with multiple screens, streaming devices and cooking appliances running at once to create a full game-day experience.
“While much of the World Cup action will take place at BC Place, the impact will be felt far beyond the stadium,” said Susie Rieder, BC Hydro spokesperson. “Major events at BC Place can use as much energy as powering about 1,000 homes, but increasingly we’re seeing that demand shift into neighbourhoods as more people host and watch from home.”
Watch parties are powering more than just televisions. Nearly four in five plan to use cooking appliances such as ovens or stoves, while 45 per cent will use sound systems and 43 per cent streaming devices or gaming consoles. Younger British Columbians are driving this more connected, device-heavy style of viewing.
While only 15 per cent overall expect their electricity use to increase during the games, that rises to 31 per cent among those hosting or attending watch parties, where multiple high-use devices and appliances often run at the same time, especially during peak match times. Overall, about 40 per cent of watch party participants report higher electricity use, underscoring how these gatherings are shifting energy demand from major venues, with more fans creating high-energy viewing environments at home.
Planning ahead to keep the system reliable
BC Hydro plans years in advance for major events that can influence electricity demand – from international sporting events to extreme weather and peak seasonal periods. Consistent with this approach, BC Hydro has also been working closely in coordination with the City of Vancouver to support system reliability during the FIFA period. BC Hydro has undertaken advanced inspections and preventative maintenance on power system equipment supporting FIFA, including areas of downtown Vancouver and BC Place, UBC, and the Fan Zone at the PNE. Together, these efforts ensure that even during high profile events like the World Cup, British Columbians can rely on a stable and resilient electricity system.
Tips to manage energy use during game day
BC Hydro is preparing to meet increased demand while helping customers better understand how their game day habits can affect energy use. Whether hosting or watching alone, BC Hydro suggests the following to improve World Cup energy statistics:
- Track electricity use: Use MyHydro to see how game day activities impact a household’s electricity use.
- Cook with smaller appliances: Where possible, use a smaller appliance such as a toaster oven, slow cooker or air fryer. These can use up to 75 per cent less electricity than an electric oven.
- Lower the thermostat: Cooking and extra people in the home can increase a household’s temperature significantly – lower the thermostat to the recommended 18 degrees Celsius.
- Skip the stream: In many cases, especially if watching on multiple smart devices or in high-resolution, streaming can be more energy intensive than watching the game on cable, so if both are options, opt for cable.
- Keep AC clean: Replace or clean air conditioning filters regularly to improve performance, and take advantage of BC Hydro $50 rebates on select ENERGY STAR® window and portable air conditioners until August 21.
For more information visit powersmart.ca.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
e. media@bchydro.com
p. 604 928 6468
[1] These are the findings of a survey conducted by BC Hydro from June 4th – June 7th, 2026 among a representative sample of 801 online British Columbians aged 18+ who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.