The BC Lions are going to have to clear out of BC Place for two games to make room for next year’s FIFA World Cup, the CFL says.
The soccer tournament will affect two of the Lions’ home games, but the league isn’t yet saying where the games will be played.
The Toronto Argonauts will also have to leave their home stadium for some games next year, but it has already been arranged that they will play these in Regina and Winnipeg.
“With a total of 13 [2026 FIFA World Cup] games taking place in Toronto and Vancouver, the CFL teams will play home games away from BMO Field and BC Place Stadium during the first half of the 2026 season,” the CFL said.
“Both the Argonauts’ and the Lions’ home dates will be skewed in favour of the second half of the season, allowing the teams’ fans to re-establish a home field advantage down the final stretch as the league pushes towards the 113th Grey Cup in Calgary.”
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to run from June 11, 2026, to July 16, 2026. BC Place will play host to seven matches — five in the opening round, one in the round of 32, and another in the round of 16. Vancouver expects to welcome 350,000 visitors throughout the five-week, 48-team tournament.
In addition to the matches in Vancouver — which is guaranteed to host at least one Canada game — Toronto will also stage six matches.
The rest of the tournament will unfold across 14 cities in the U.S. and Mexico, including opening-day action in Mexico City and Guadalajara.
The CFL says the Lions will detail their plans and ticketing details in a special announcement soon.
— With files from Michael Williams and The Canadian Press.