CFL Football Comes to Kelowna for Major 2026 Matchup
Canadian football fans in the Okanagan are in for a historic treat next summer. The Calgary Stampeders are officially set to clash with the BC Lions in a regular-season CFL game at Kelowna's iconic Apple Bowl stadium. This marquee matchup, scheduled for June 27, 2026, forms the centerpiece of the Touchdown Kelowna festival, a summer celebration dedicated to Canadian football.
Touchdown Kelowna: A Festival of Football and Fun
The game is a key component of Touchdown Kelowna, an event designed to showcase the best of the region while creating a unique football experience. The festival promises to deliver more than just on-field action, featuring live music, diverse food options, and family-friendly activities. The goal is to unite fans from across British Columbia and beyond, turning the event into a major provincial gathering. The BC Lions are temporarily moving games to Kelowna because their usual home, BC Place in Vancouver, is being used for the World Cup of soccer. The Apple Bowl, which is the regular home field for the Canadian Junior Football League's Okanagan Sun, will host two of the Lions' games during this displacement period.
Ticket Information and Fan Road Trip
For dedicated Stampeders supporters, this game presents a perfect opportunity for a road trip. Stampeders season-ticket members will be given a special pre-sale opportunity to purchase tickets before the general public. Further details on the ticket purchasing process will be announced by the team at a later date. Stampeders president Jay McNeil expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We're hoping as many of our fans as possible will make a road trip to Kelowna to cheer us on. This is an exciting opportunity and I know the Lions organization will serve as excellent hosts and put on a great event." The team's full 2026 CFL schedule is still pending release.
A Path to the Grey Cup at Home
The 2026 season holds extra significance for the Calgary Stampeders and their fans, as the city is slated to host the Grey Cup festival in early November. The championship game itself is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 2026, at McMahon Stadium. The Stampeders organization is undoubtedly hoping that a strong season, potentially kick-started with a win in Kelowna, will pave a path to competing for the Grey Cup in their own backyard.
In other team news, the Stampeders are holding their annual Locker-Room Sale at McMahon Stadium on Saturday, November 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Fans will have access to the team's locker room to purchase authentic helmets, game-worn jerseys, and other equipment. This year's sale is notable as it will be the last time helmets are available in significant quantities. Autographed jerseys for players like Vernon Adams Jr. and René Paredes are priced at $350, while jerseys for 2025 all-CFL team members are $300. Other game jerseys are available for $200 each, two for $350, or $150 per jersey when buying three or more.
