While every one in BC remembers the Canucks’ 2011 Stanley Cup playoff push or the 2010 Winter Olympics, BC has experienced a bunch of other fan moments that brought unforgettable electricity and passion. Some didn’t appear in national print, but to fans, they are ingrained in memory.
2025 – Abbotsford Canucks
The Abbotsford Canucks’ Calder Cup push in 2025 got the Fraser Valley and everyone talking. Fans packed the Abbotsford Centre for all of the playoff games, seeing players who are often NHL-bound prospects in the making. In the finals, a dramatic overtime victory in Game 5 sealed the championship, sending the arena into pandemonium. For so many in the fan base, this was a first exposure to a professional hockey title in BC outside the NHL, and the neighborhood celebrations showed the extent of how embedded hockey is in local culture
2023 – Whitecaps
Soccer fans may have skipped it at the national level, but the Whitecaps’ 2023 Canadian Championship win brought BC fans together in a massive celebration. After years of close calls in MLS and local leagues, the Whitecaps defeated Forge FC in a thriller of a final, claiming their first Canadian Championship since 2015. Fans packed BC Place, waving flags, singing songs, and partying deep into the night. It was a test of Vancouver’s increasing soccer culture and demonstrated that there is more affection for the sport than exists in the traditional fan base.
2024 – Shelly Fey
Lacrosse enthusiasts witnessed a historic moment when the Coquitlam Adanacs secured the 2024 and 2025 Minto Cup, Canada’s top junior men’s lacrosse championship. The team’s victories were a testament to the depth of talent and passion for lacrosse in BC. Fans packed the arena, creating an electric atmosphere as the Adanacs clinched the titles, further solidifying BC’s reputation as one of lacrosses powerhouses.
2011 – Jason Payne
After 15 years without possessing a Grey Cup at BC Place, the Lions’ victory in 2011 created an immediate fan memory. Thousands of fans lined Vancouver streets celebrating with players, waving flags, and singing team tunes. It was about more than football it was a city celebration of BC pride, and the fans’ memory of uniting in that moment has lasted more than a decade. These fan experiences confirm that BC sports passion goes way beyond national headlines. BC fans are not spectators they’re participants, and these experiences confirm that the soul of BC sports resides in arenas, stadiums, and fields big and small.