In the 21st century, the annual PNE fair in Vancouver has seen a fluctuating pattern in attendance, akin to a roller coaster ride with its ups and downs. Following the conclusion of the 2025 Pacific National Exhibition, officials revealed that a total of 612,404 guests visited this year, marking a four percent decline from the previous year. This figure represents the lowest attendance recorded by the PNE this century, excluding the years 2020-2022 when the fair’s operations were severely impacted by the pandemic.
Comparing the current attendance levels to the peak seen in the 1970s to 1990s, where over a million visitors frequented the fairgrounds for a mix of rides, attractions, concerts, and nostalgia, there has been an overall decline of approximately 40 percent.
Laura Ballance, the spokesperson for the PNE, attributed this year’s decrease in attendance to limited fair space due to the ongoing construction of a new amphitheater and uncertain economic conditions. Despite the challenges faced, Ballance emphasized that the feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
Over the course of this century, the base adult admission price for the PNE has risen from $6 to $25, reflecting the increasing costs associated with organizing large-scale events across North America. Ballance mentioned that the fair organizers would review potential discounts for the upcoming year as part of their post-fair evaluation process.
Looking ahead, Ballance highlighted the significance of the upcoming year for the fair, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to draw in more visitors, alongside the debut of a professional women’s hockey team at the Pacific Coliseum on the PNE grounds this fall.
Renowned Vancouver author Nick Marino, known for his memoir “East Side Story: Growing Up At The PNE,” expressed that while the drop in attendance for the 2025 fair was disappointing, it wasn’t substantial considering the consistent figures above 600,000 in recent years. Marino pointed out the lack of compelling attractions at this year’s fair, contributing to the decreased interest among potential attendees.
Acknowledging the impact of high prices on attendance, Marino suggested that the completion of the new 10,000-seat amphitheater could serve as a driving force for attracting more visitors in 2026. He likened the current fair experience to visiting a home under renovation, expressing optimism that the upcoming year would offer a more engaging and enjoyable event for fairgoers.
[Note: The original article contained links, images, and captions, which have been excluded in the rewritten version for brevity.]
