The BC Lions are gearing up for a season unlike any other, as the team prepares to take its show on the road in 2026, with a slate of games scheduled outside their traditional home at BC Place. The move comes as Vancouver gets ready to play host to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a global event that will see the city’s iconic stadium transformed into a soccer mecca for more than a month, leaving the Lions searching for alternative venues for part of their Canadian Football League (CFL) campaign.
The announcement, made during the Lions’ hard-fought 27-22 victory over the Toronto Argonauts on September 26, 2025, has sent a ripple of excitement through British Columbia’s football community. Once again, the Lions will return to Langford’s Starlight Stadium for a pre-season clash, marking the second consecutive year the team will bring CFL action to Vancouver Island. But the surprises don’t stop there. The Lions are also set to play two regular-season games in Kelowna, a move that’s sure to delight fans in the Okanagan region.
“The World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime event for Vancouver. Looking at all options, Touchdown Kelowna is the perfect fit,” Lions president Duane Vienneau said in a release, as he took to the field during the second quarter to share the news with fans. “The Okanagan is home to a very passionate segment of the Lions fan base, which makes us thrilled for the opportunity to bring two games to the region.”
The logistical shuffle is a direct result of Vancouver’s selection as one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. BC Place, the Lions’ home turf, will be one of two Canadian stadiums—alongside Toronto’s BMO Field—hosting matches in the world’s most prestigious soccer tournament. Vancouver is set to stage seven games, including Canada’s group matches on June 18 and June 24, a round-of-32 showdown on July 2, and a round-of-16 contest on July 7. FIFA’s requirements mean the stadium will be under their control for 30 days before the first match, making it unavailable for CFL action during a crucial stretch of the season.
With the Lions temporarily displaced, the club has opted to once again bring professional football to Langford’s Starlight Stadium. The venue, which holds 6,100 fans, was the site of a sold-out pre-season battle against the Calgary Stampeders on May 19, 2025. That event proved the appetite for CFL football on Vancouver Island is alive and well, and the Lions are banking on a similar response in 2026. The club has assured supporters that the field will be set up to meet all CFL regulations, ensuring a top-tier experience for both players and fans.
Tickets for the 2026 exhibition game in Langford aren’t set to go on sale until early in the new year. With limited capacity, the Lions are encouraging die-hard fans to become 2026 Season Ticket Holders, promising priority pre-sale access well before the general public. It’s a strategy that not only rewards the team’s loyal supporters but also helps guarantee a packed house for what’s shaping up to be a marquee event on the Island’s sporting calendar.
The bigger news, however, might be the Lions’ decision to take two regular-season games to Kelowna’s Apple Bowl. For years, the Okanagan has been a hotbed of football enthusiasm, and now, local fans will get the chance to see their team in action without making the trek to Vancouver. To accommodate the influx of spectators, the Apple Bowl will undergo a significant expansion, boosting its seating capacity to a robust 17,500 for the pair of CFL matchups.
Kelowna’s mayor, Tom Dyas, didn’t hide his excitement about the announcement. “We are thrilled to welcome the BC Lions to Kelowna for two games next season,” Dyas said in a statement. “There is a passionate community of local football and Lions fans here in Kelowna and throughout the Okanagan.” The sentiment is echoed by many in the region, who see the games as both a sporting spectacle and a chance to showcase Kelowna’s growing profile on the national stage.
While the precise dates and opponents for the Langford and Kelowna games are still under wraps, the Lions have confirmed that all details will be released when the full 2026 CFL schedule drops during the off-season. The anticipation is already building, with fans across the province circling their calendars and making plans to catch the Lions in action in these unique settings.
Of course, the Lions aren’t the only CFL team adjusting to the World Cup’s arrival. The league announced last month that the Toronto Argonauts will play home games at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field, Mosaic Stadium in Regina, and Winnipeg’s Princess Auto Stadium during the World Cup period. The ripple effects of the tournament are being felt from coast to coast, as teams and fans alike adapt to a summer of unprecedented sporting excitement.
For the Lions, the challenge of playing away from BC Place is balanced by the opportunity to connect with fans in regions that don’t often get to experience live CFL action. The sell-out crowd at Starlight Stadium earlier this year is proof positive that there is a hunger for professional football beyond the Lower Mainland. By bringing the game to Langford and Kelowna, the Lions are not just filling a logistical gap—they’re building bridges and creating memories that will last long after the final whistle.
As Vancouver prepares to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup, the BC Lions are seizing the moment to expand their own footprint across British Columbia. With the Apple Bowl set for expansion and Starlight Stadium ready for another dose of gridiron action, 2026 promises to be a year of firsts for the Lions and their fans. Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a newcomer to the game, there’s never been a better time to catch the roar of the Lions in a new setting.
Stay tuned for more details as the 2026 season approaches. With tickets sure to be in high demand and the promise of big-time football in Langford and Kelowna, the countdown is officially on. The Lions are on the move, and British Columbia’s football faithful can’t wait to follow them every step of the way.