B.C. Lions unveil dates, details for Touchdown Kelowna games in 2026

Photo courtesy: Jeff Vinnick/B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions have made key details available regarding their two Touchdown Kelowna games scheduled for next summer.

The matchups will take place against the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, June 27 and Edmonton Elks on Saturday, July 4. Both games will begin at 4:00 p.m. local time and be played at the Apple Bowl, the home of the CJFL’s Okanagan Sun.

“On behalf of our owner Amar Doman and the entire Lions organization, we are excited, honoured and greatly anticipating this historic event in 2026,” said Lions team president Duane Vienneau in a statement.

“Kelowna and the entire Okanagan have long been a hotbed for great Lions fans. We very much look forward to calling Kelowna home for two big games against two of our biggest division rivals. The party in and around the two games will also give the week a ‘mini-Grey Cup festival’ type of feel.”

The Lions announced in September that they would play two regular-season games in Kelowna while BC Place is occupied by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 across various cities in North America. Vancouver is set to host seven matches from June 13 to July 7.

The Apple Bowl, which recently hosted a record crowd of 6,200 for a Canadian Premier League soccer match earlier this year, will be expanded to accommodate at least 17,500 fans on temporary bleachers for the CFL team’s stay. The maximum possible capacity is expected to be approximately 20,000 fans.

“As a proud British Columbia-born citizen, I can’t wait to lead the Lions into another historic CFL venture in our province,” said quarterback Nathan Rourke. “Embarking on Kelowna to begin our home schedule will be a great opportunity for our team to gel. It will also be exciting to get out into the community and engage with our great fans in the entire region.”

The full 2026 CFL schedule will be unveiled on December 9, 2025 with tickets for the two Touchdown Kelowna games being made available to the general public on Thursday, February 19.

“Playing in Kelowna and the Okanagan is an incredible opportunity to showcase the CFL experience and strengthen our connection with these communities,” said CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston. “These will be must-see events in one of the most stunning regions in the country. The Lions continue to show that they are truly B.C.’s team through their tremendous efforts to engage fans across the province.”

The B.C. Lions finished second in the West Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record and beat the Calgary Stampeders in the West Semi-Final before losing the West Final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Nathan Rourke threw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 16 regular-season starts, posting an 11-5 record. He was also named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player.

The Lions ranked first in net offence, fourth in net defence, and sixth with a turnover differential of minus-four. James Butler rushed for 1,213 yards, Keon Hatcher led the CFL with 1,688 receiving yards, and Micah Awe led the league with 117 tackles. B.C. finished third in attendance with average crowds of 27,124, which was a 0.9 percent increase from the previous year.