The BC Lions are making a temporary move to the interior of British Columbia for a pair of high-stakes home games during the 2025 Canadian Football League season. The team has announced it will host the Edmonton Elks and the Calgary Stampeders in Kelowna, a strategic relocation necessitated by Vancouver's role as a host city for the FIFA World Cup.
A New Temporary Home in the Okanagan
This shift to Kelowna's Apple Bowl stadium is a direct result of the scheduling conflict with the FIFA World Cup, which will be utilizing BC Place in Vancouver. The Lions' adaptation ensures that their home game schedule proceeds without interruption, bringing elite professional football to a new, eager audience in the Okanagan region. This move highlights the logistical planning involved when a city hosts a global sporting event of such magnitude.
The decision was confirmed on November 24, 2025, setting the stage for an exciting chapter in the team's history. While the specific dates for the two games are yet to be finalized, the matchups are locked in, promising thrilling inter-divisional rivalries.
Key Matchups and Player Spotlight
The Lions will face two of their Western Division rivals in Kelowna. The games against the Edmonton Elks and the Calgary Stampeders are always highly anticipated, and the unique venue is expected to add an extra layer of excitement. All eyes will be on Lions' quarterback Nathan Rourke as he leads the team in these crucial contests.
Rourke's performance is pivotal to the Lions' success, as evidenced by the intense on-field action from the previous season. The relocation is a one-time adjustment for the 2025 season, after which the team is expected to return to its regular home at BC Place in Vancouver.
What This Means for Fans and the CFL
This temporary move to Kelowna represents a significant opportunity for the CFL to engage with its fan base in the B.C. interior and test a new market. For residents of Kelowna and surrounding areas, it's a rare chance to experience live CFL action without traveling to the coast.
The announcement solidifies the 2025 CFL season as one of adaptation and expansion, seamlessly accommodating the FIFA World Cup while maintaining the integrity and full schedule of Canada's premier football league. It's a win for sports fans across the province, offering top-tier football in two major B.C. cities in one landmark year.
