Here's a first look inside the new Freedom Mobile Arch in Vancouver

The Freedom Mobile Arch that will host the World Cup Fan Festival in Vancouver on June 5. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /10111714A

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Vancouver’s newest live entertainment hot spot is the Freedom Mobile Arch at Hastings Park.

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From its breathtaking backdrop views of the North Shore mountains to its state-of-the-art design, the replacement for the almost-100 year-old PNE Amphitheatre is a welcome arrival to the city’s arts and cultural spaces.

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The new outdoor performance venue boasts North America’s largest free-span wood roof. Reaching more than 73 metres across, it’s built entirely of Canadian timber. The design features 1.2 kilometres of beams in the roof. The total structure is 12,356 square metres.

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The North Shore mountains are visible from the Freedom Mobile Arch in Vancouver B.C., as seen on June 5, 2026. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /10111714A

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The project took three years to complete. Its grand opening as Freedom Mobile Arch was June 5. The venue will be rebranded for the FIFA Fan Festival running June 11 to July 19. It will resume operations under its given name for the Pacific National Exhibition concerts. Canadian roots rockers Blue Rodeo will open the PNE Summer Nights Concerts on Aug. 22.

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“The Freedom Mobile Arch embodies our commitment to investing in the communities we serve,” said Freedom Mobile president and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau. “Being part of Vancouver and B.C.’s cultural history, alongside an institution as iconic as the PNE, is a real privilege.”

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PNE president and CEO Shelley Frost noted that the new venue reinforces the PNE’s century-plus promotion of arts and cultural events in Vancouver and opens up increased opportunities for all kinds of live performances to take place in the city.

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What is the capacity of the new amphitheatre?

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Including the grass seating area, the venue holds 10,000. This can be configured a number of different ways down to 1,000 or less. All of the floor-level seating is removable, enabling a large dance floor area.

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How exposed is the seating to the weather?

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Seating on the grass area at the top of the venue is fully exposed and upper tiers may well experience wind and weather. From there, the overhead roof design appears well configured to make this a year-round venue. Some bundling required.

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Is seating easily accessed?

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Access ramps from the floor to the upper venue rise at a reasonable angle. One downside, the ramps are all exposed to the elements.

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How are the seating sight lines?

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The venue has wider tiers than traditional sports arenas, so moving in the rows should be easier. The stage placement permits good visibility from even the outer rim.

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What is unique about the acoustic design of the structure?

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The Freedom Mobile Arch has been designed to reflect sound downward clearly with a staggered speaker placement hung from the ceiling to achieve clear sound without direct high-stage volume.

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Are there other design features to address venue noise affecting nearby neighbourhoods?

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An additional raised, curved concrete backing wall has been built behind the shell to reduce concert sound-bleed and traffic noise.