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Now that the marathon is over and the NHL draft lottery absolutely did not go Vancouver’s way, the city will have to make soccer its entire personality. (Well, unless the Whitecaps leave but let's not talk about that right now!)
This month, Science World is entering its football era by transforming its iconic dome into a giant replica of the adidas Trionda, the official match ball for the FIFA World Cup.
Temporarily renamed “The Beautiful Dome” in a branding move subtle enough to be seen from space, the installation will wrap the entire 40-metre-wide structure in 131 custom-shaped and sized panels designed to recreate the tournament ball. Installation is officially underway and is expected to take roughly four weeks to complete, depending on Vancouver’s favourite wildcard: the weather.
And honestly, if you’ve ever looked at Science World and thought, “You know what this giant sphere needs? To become an even larger ball,” apparently you’re not alone.
The Trionda, which translates to “three waves” in Spanish, was created to symbolize the tournament’s three host countries: Canada, Mexico, and the US. FIFA World Cup 2026 marks the first time the competition has been jointly hosted by three nations and will also be the largest World Cup in the tournament’s history, so naturally, the visuals are scaling up accordingly.
The dome transformation is also designed to become one of the defining broadcast images tied to Vancouver during the tournament, serving as a backdrop for international coverage, digital campaigns, and the inevitable flood of tourist selfies.
“This is about creating a globally iconic image that immediately connects Vancouver to the FIFA World Cup and showcases our city’s creativity and ambition,” shares Destination Vancouver president and CEO, Royce Chwin, in a release. “The transformation of Science World is more than a visual transformation, it is an investment in telling British Columbia’s global story and represents a shared commitment to delivering an unforgettable FIFA World Cup experience, building a lasting economic and community legacy for Vancouver and the province.”
Inside the dome, the soccer takeover continues with Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum.
At this point, between the countdown clocks, fan activations, soccer-themed exhibits, and now a literal giant soccer ball sitting on False Creek, Vancouver’s FIFA era has very much arrived.
