In the current era, the turnout at Vancouver’s annual PNE fair resembles the journey of its renowned wooden roller coaster after the initial peak — full of twists and turns but ultimately progressing in a single direction.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 Pacific National Exhibition, officials disclosed that 612,404 individuals attended this year’s fair. This reflects a four percent decline from 2024 and marks the lowest attendance figure for the PNE in the 21st century, excluding the years 2020-2022 when the fair’s operations were significantly impacted by the pandemic.
Compared to its peak in the 1970s to 1990s, when over a million visitors flocked through the Hastings Park gates to experience the mix of rides, attractions, concerts, and nostalgia, the overall attendance has dropped by approximately 40 percent.
Laura Ballance, the spokesperson for the PNE, attributed this year’s attendance decrease to reduced fair space due to the construction of the new amphitheater and uncertain economic conditions. Despite facing challenges, she mentioned that feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
Over the years, the base adult admission price for the PNE has escalated from $6 to $25. Ballance acknowledged the escalating costs of organizing large-scale events across North America and hinted at potential discounts being reevaluated for the upcoming year.
Anticipating a pivotal year ahead, Ballance highlighted the 2026 FIFA World Cup fan event and the newly constructed amphitheater as significant attractions for the next fair season. Additionally, she mentioned the upcoming arrival of a professional women’s hockey team at the Pacific Coliseum on PNE grounds this fall.
Vancouver author Nick Marino, known for his memoir “East Side Story: Growing Up At The PNE,” expressed that while this year’s attendance drop was disappointing, it was not drastic considering the fair’s recent trends. Marino commented on the lack of a compelling reason to visit the 2025 fair, emphasizing the need for unique attractions to draw visitors.
He acknowledged that high prices at this year’s fair might have contributed to the decline in attendance, citing expensive games and overall costs. Marino suggested that the new 10,000-seat amphitheater could serve as a motivating factor for fairgoers to return in 2026, foreseeing a positive impact once the construction is completed.
In conclusion, Marino remains hopeful that future editions of the PNE fair, including the 2026 event, will see increased attendance and engagement with the introduction of new attractions and improved offerings.