Get to know the BC Lions

JEN FIELD

The BC Lions are a part of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Their inaugural season took place in 1954, making them the oldest professional sports franchise in BC. The team’s history is one of ups and downs, hard work, dedication and perseverance. 

The name for the BC Lions came from twin mountain peaks that rise in the Northwest of Vancouver. These peaks are said to look like two mountain lions, and it is believed that they guard the city. 

Through the years as franchise the Lions have made it to the Western Conference/Division finals 13 times, of those, 10 of those finals led them to advance to the Grey Cup. From their 10 Grey Cup appearances they have won 6 times, the last being in 2011. Leading to one of the longest Grey Cup droughts in CFL history. 

The first time the Lions made it to the Grey Cup was in 1963 nearly 9 years after their inaugural season. The first time they won the Grey Cup was the following year in 1964, 10 years after their founding. 

However, despite those 2 years of incredible football, the team would go on another long stretch of not making it to the finals. It would be years of ups and downs, some with potential playoff contention and others where there would be no playoffs in sight. 

The next time that the Lions would make it to the Grey Cup was in 1983, however, they would unfortunately lose to the Toronto Argonauts. 

It was not until 1985 that the BC Lions would make it to the Grey Cup and secure the win. The following year they hoped for a repeat, however, that dream died early in the season, and they would not appear in the finals again until 1988, where they would fall to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  

In 1994 the Lions became the first team in history to win the Grey Cup on their home field. This was a monumental moment for the organization. 

Again the following few years were marked with trials as the organization went through a number of changes within all levels of the teams. 

In 2000 the Lions would secure their fourth Grey Cup victory in 46 years as a team, against the Montreal Alouettes. 

Another 6 years would go by before they would claim another Grey Cup win in 2006 against the Alouettes again. This was followed by a 5 year gap before they won the Grey Cup again in 2011 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 

The 2011 Grey Cup victory was also won on their home field, making them one of the only teams to have won 2 Grey Cups at home. 

Though the last time the Lions reached the Grey Cup final was in 2011, the organization has still seen a boom in fan loyalty. This past 2025 season they advanced to the Western Conference Finals, however, they would fall to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who would end up being the Grey Cup champions.  

 The 2026 season is full of hope as they look to make a playoff push again for the second year in a row, and potentially break their Grey Cup drought.