As Vancouver prepares to host matches during the FIFA World Cup, BC Hydro says the biggest impact on the province’s power system may not be inside stadiums, but inside homes.

A new BC Hydro survey suggests the tournament is shaping up to be one of the largest at-home viewing events in British Columbia, with nearly two-thirds of residents planning to either host or attend a World Cup watch party. The event ranks second only to the NHL playoffs for viewing gatherings.

The utility says younger British Columbians are driving much of that interest. More than 70% of Gen Z respondents and 68% of Millennials said they plan to attend or host a watch party during the tournament.

“While much of the World Cup action will take place at BC Place, the impact will be felt far beyond the stadium,” said BC Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder. “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.”

According to the survey, watch parties involve much more than turning on a television. Nearly four in five participants expect to use cooking appliances such as ovens and stoves, while many also plan to use sound systems, streaming devices and gaming consoles during matches.

Although only 15% of British Columbians overall expect their electricity consumption to increase during the tournament, that figure rises significantly among those attending or hosting watch parties. BC Hydro says roughly 40% of watch party participants report using more electricity during major sporting events.

The utility says it has spent years preparing for major events that can affect electricity demand and has been working with the City of Vancouver to ensure system reliability throughout the World Cup. Preparations have included inspections and preventative maintenance on electrical infrastructure serving downtown Vancouver, BC Place, UBC and the FIFA Fan Zone at the PNE.

BC Hydro is also encouraging residents to be mindful of their energy use during matches. Suggestions include using smaller cooking appliances such as air fryers or slow cookers, lowering thermostats when hosting guests, tracking household energy consumption through MyHydro and, where possible, watching games through cable rather than multiple high-resolution streaming devices.

The utility says those steps can help manage electricity use while ensuring fans can enjoy the world’s biggest soccer tournament from home.