Woman goes to Pacific Rim in Vancouver. Then she says FIFA is a money-grabbing ‘scheme’ after they charge her $20 to sit on grass: ‘It used to be free’
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A woman says she was shocked to find herself paying for things that had previously been free while visiting what looks like a FIFA watch party in Vancouver.
Areena (@areena_shrestha) shared her frustration after visiting the Fairmont Pacific Rim, a five-star hotel that is serving as one of Vancouver's official tournament venues.
“FIFA is a money-grabbing SCAM in Vancouver,” she wrote in the text overlay of her clip.
Standing outside the hotel, Areena says the area had changed significantly since her previous visits.
“This entire space used to be [expletive] free,” she says. Now, she adds, visitors were charged $20 to enter the space, while picnic tables and benches were reserved for hotel guests.
“You're charging us $20 to, what? Sit around and stand around?” Areena says.
Areena also says she ordered a glass of wine while she was there, then held up the cup to show what she considered to be a disappointingly small pour.
“This is such a money-grabbing scheme. You're charging us $20 for what?” As of Thursday, her clip had more than 37,800 views.
What Was The $20 Fee For?
One important detail missing from Areena's video is that the $20 admission charge she references does not appear to be a FIFA fee.
The Fairmont Pacific Rim has been operating its own World Cup viewing patio during the tournament, separate from Vancouver's official FIFA Fan Festival.
According to the hotel's website, admission to the patio on match days is $20 and includes one beverage. The space also features food trucks, outdoor seating, and large screens showing matches.
That is, of course, different from the official FIFA Fan Festival across town at Hastings Park. FIFA says entry to the Fan Festival is free and open to everyone, with live match broadcasts, live music and entertainment, and food vendors. Perhaps most importantly, visitors can come and go during operating hours without paying an admission fee.
The City of Vancouver has also emphasized that general admission to the Fan Festival's match-viewing area is free. Fans can purchase premium experiences, such as reserved seating, but that is an optional upgrade rather than a requirement to watch the matches.
Areena's complaint appears to center on the experience at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, where she says picnic tables and benches were reserved for hotel guests, and the wine pour didn't justify the admission price. Based on the hotel's published information, though, the $20 fee is tied to access to its privately operated viewing patio—not to FIFA's official Fan Festival or the city's free public viewing events.
Viewers Said The Fee Isn't FIFA's Fault
A number of commenters argued that Areena's frustration was directed at the wrong target, saying the fees came from the hotel, not FIFA.
“That's not a FIFA spot, darling,” one viewer wrote.
“Complaining about FIFA being a scam -> this has nothing to do with FIFA… Of course, they're charging you, it's a luxury hotel, they don't want freeloaders out there. There's a ton of other spots to watch,” another commented.
“There are tons of free viewing option[s], you chose this,” a third added.
Others similarly pointed out there were cheaper—or free—alternatives nearby.
“She thought she ate with this one. Girly, it's the hotel. It's better to go to the PNE,” one person wrote.
“Could've went to a bar for free…” another suggested.
“You also could have just not? LOL and go to the multiple free watch locations,” another commenter added.
A few viewers questioned why she chose the luxury hotel in the first place.
“Then [w]hy are you there?” one asked.
“[You're] sitting outside our nicest hotel. Why did you pay just to trash them after?” another wrote.
One commenter also noted that hotel guests may not have had to pay the same way.
“If [you're] staying there, I bet they will let you stay for free,” they wrote.
@areena_shrestha Anyone else been there recently? #fifaworldcup #vancouver #canada #fyp #fifa ♬ original sound – Areena 
Subplot reached out to Areena via TikTok direct message. We'll update this story if we hear back.
The post Woman goes to Pacific Rim in Vancouver. Then she says FIFA is a money-grabbing ‘scheme' after they charge her $20 to sit on grass: ‘It used to be free' appeared first on Subplot News.
