Sports in Vancouver

The Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, founded in 2001, play their home games in Langley.

The New Westminster Salmonbellies have won the Mann Cup, Canada's senior lacrosse championship, a record 24 times.

[1][2] Prominent annual amateur sports events in Vancouver include the BC High School Basketball Championship at the PNE Agrodome, the High School Football Championship at BC Place, and the Canada Cup softball tournament in South Surrey.

Also notable is the college rivalry between the UBC Thunderbirds and Simon Fraser Red Leafs (formerly SFU Clan), who meet annually in the Shrum Bowl (football) and Buchanan Cup (basketball).

The British Columbia (BC) Lions have played in the Canadian Football League since 1954, and have won the Grey Cup six times, in 1964, 1985, 1994, 2000, 2006 and in 2011.

The Canadians play their home games at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and are affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.

The Vancouver Blazers, a World Hockey Association team, attempted to compete with the Canucks between 1973 and 1975, but moved to Calgary thereafter.

Vancouver Rise FC will join the Northern Super League in 2025, which is planned to be the top division of women's soccer in Canada.

Vancouver continues to have a huge interest in acquiring a full-time National Basketball Association team and having them play their home games at Rogers Arena.

The British Columbia Derby is a nine furlong horse race held at the Hastings Racecourse in the third week of September.

There are many other facilities throughout the city and surrounding area, including 8 Rinks in Burnaby, the Canucks' main practice venue.

The relatively mild climate of Vancouver, its extensive parkland, and close proximity to ocean, mountains, rivers and lakes provides it with a number of areas for outdoor sporting activities, both competitive and recreational.

[6] Its length, friendliness to pedestrians, and iconic views have made it a popular destination for Vancouver's many run clubs.

These free public facilities, plus a mild climate relative to the rest of Canada, have led to a rapid spread these urban running groups, with the city now being home to several.

The Vancouver area has produced a number of notable athletes, including Cam Neely (born in Comox, raised in Lower Mainland), Joe Sakic, Cliff Ronning, Milan Lucic, Mathew Barzal, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Morgan Rielly, Carey Price, Martin Jones, Brent Seabrook, Ryan Johansen and Paul Kariya (hockey); Larry Walker, Justin Morneau, Jeff Francis, and Adam Loewen (baseball); Bob Lenarduzzi, Domenic Mobilio, Emilio Reuben, Brian Budd (born in Toronto, raised in Vancouver) and Christine Sinclair (soccer); Lui Passaglia, Paris Jackson and Adam Braidwood (football); Harry Jerome, Charmaine Crooks, Percy Williams (Track & Field).