BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium on the north shore of False Creek in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. It opened on June 19, 1983, originally topped by what was then the world’s largest air-supported inflatable roof, and has served ever since as the home field for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.
The stadium underwent a major renovation completed in 2011, when the original inflatable dome was replaced with a cable-supported retractable roof, again the largest of its kind in the world at the time. That upgrade also brought Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps FC to the venue, and it positioned BC Place to host events ranging from Olympic ceremonies to World Cup soccer.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): BC Lions (CFL), Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Opened: June 19, 1983
- Capacity: About 54,500 (football); about 22,120 (soccer, lower bowl)
- Roof: Retractable, cable-supported, installed 2011
- Notable fact: Hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies
A Downtown Landmark
Set right on False Creek, BC Place sits within easy walking distance of downtown Vancouver, giving it one of the most accessible locations of any major stadium in North America. Its retractable roof allows it to function as an indoor venue in the region’s rainy winters and open to the sky for summer events.
The BC Lions have called BC Place home since the stadium’s opening season in 1983, while the Whitecaps became the venue’s second anchor tenant when the club joined MLS in 2011, the same year the new roof debuted.
A Stage for Global Events
BC Place has hosted some of the biggest events to visit Canada, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the final of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and ten Grey Cup championship games.
In 2026, the stadium served as one of the Canadian venues for the FIFA World Cup, hosting seven matches including group stage games, a Round of 32 match, and a Round of 16 match, drawing well over 300,000 total spectators to Vancouver.
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BC Place FAQs
Who plays at BC Place?
BC Place is the home stadium of the BC Lions of the CFL and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of MLS.
When did BC Place open?
BC Place opened on June 19, 1983, with an air-supported inflatable roof that was later replaced.
Does BC Place have a retractable roof?
Yes. A cable-supported retractable roof replaced the original inflatable dome as part of a renovation completed in 2011.
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Photo: Aeacad / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.