by Megan Lau
The West Coast has pride of place, and that’s certainly true when it comes to sports. Those of us who lived in Vancouver in the late ’90s are still wistful for our beloved Grizzlies NBA franchise; alas, teams come and go. What never changes is the city’s love for sports, a no-brainer considering our athletic local population. From the big leagues to the minors, here’s where to catch live sporting action in Vancouver. [Photo credit: iStock.com/AJ_Watt]
If you want to see big-name athletes and professional teams, head to the downtown core. Vancouver is home to two large-scale stadiums that operate as the headquarters for the city’s NHL team, the Vancouver Canucks; the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, who play MLS soccer; and the BC Lions, six-time Grey Cup champions.
There’s love for them all, but hockey reigns supreme in Vancouver. Local hockey enthusiasts are notorious for their passion; Canucks fans famously rioted in the city streets in 1994 and 2011, following losses in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, shutting down the downtown core and causing millions of dollars in damage. For most of the hockey season, Canuckleheads excitedly – but peacefully – congregate at Rogers Arena to watch the puck drop and cheer on their favourite players. And if you can’t snag tickets for the game, there are plenty of nearby sports bars where you can catch the action on the big screen.
A few blocks away, BC Place is home to the Whitecaps and the BC Lions. An impressive architectural structure, BC Place boasts the largest retractable roof in the world and has 54,500 seats – plus more than 50 suites and hospitality lounges. The stadium’s scale also makes it the venue of choice for colossal touring events such as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and Canadian Women’s soccer matches. “Major sporting events have been very successful in bringing people to British Columbia from around the world,” notes Duncan Blomfield, communications manager at BC Place. “When you combine that vibrant international audience with the energy and enthusiasm of our local sports fans, the stadium – in fact the entire downtown of Vancouver – takes on an incredible atmosphere of celebration.”
In the summertime, historic Nat Bailey Stadium in Riley Park sells out during home games for the Vancouver Canadians, the Northwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The C’s regularly attract 20,000 baseball fans who root-root-root for the home team. The atmosphere is lively and family friendly. Between innings, expect weird mascots and prize giveaways. After Saturday night games, you’ll often get a fireworks show. Many Vancouverites consider Nat Bailey to be the city’s best outdoor patio.
Farther afield, out in the Fraser Valley, the Vancouver Giants provide affordable hockey action at the Langley Events Centre.
And to see the up-and-coming stars of the sporting world, Vancouver’s local universities’ varsity teams offer plenty of thrills. UBC’s Thunderbirds and SFU’s Clan are no strangers to championships.
Running is big in Vancouver and, thanks to the temperate climate, amateur running events are held throughout the year. The notorious 10-kilometre Vancouver Sun Run, which has happened every April since 1985, is one of the biggest road races in the world, attracting participants of all ages and abilities. A more recent newcomer is the SeaWheeze Half Marathon, which organizers call “the most breathtakingly beautiful and ridiculously fun half marathon in the world.” The picturesque waterfront route around the Seawall, exclusive Lululemon swag and festival vibes make this a popular running event that sells out almost instantly every year.
Summertime also means the annual Gastown Grand Prix, which was first established in 1973. The one-day bike race takes over the cobblestoned streets of the historic neighbourhood, attracting tens of thousands of spectators to cheer on local and international high-performance cyclists.
Given Vancouver’s scenic landscape and fitness-focused culture, its no surprise the city attracts athletes of all sorts, including former Olympians, professional sports teams and weekend warriors looking for a physical challenge. The city’s roads, rinks, stadiums and arenas are packed with athletic all-stars, which means there are plenty of places where you can watch live sporting action all year round.
