BC Lions FanFest to be held in Kamloops on May 16

“You have the Thompson Rivers University campus, you have meeting rooms, you have the gym, you have the field pretty much all in one location. From my perspective and from the club’s football operations perspective, I can say that Kamloops is unreal.”

FanFest includes a full Lions team practice followed by player autographs along with food and beverage offerings and other entertainment. The Play with the Pros clinic with Lions players and Dance with the Pros clinic with the Uproar Dance Team will also be held, and registration will open on April 13.

New this year is a Celebrity Flag Football Game, and Baker says it will feature BC Lions alumni and other special guests, who will be unveiled at a later date.

“I don’t have specifics on specific names yet, but perhaps some famous hockey alumni will be there,” Baker said. “There’s talks about Kamloops Blazers and all that, given our connection with the Tournament Capital. That’s going to be an exciting new event.”

“Stay tuned for names as we’ll have some special announcements as the date gets closer.”

FanFest is BACK! 🦁

Join us May 16 at Hillside Stadium for a full day of BC Lions football, including team practice, autographs, and family fun.

Don't miss our new Celebrity Flag Football Game and the return of Play with the Pros and Dance with the Pros clinics.

MORE INFO ➡️… pic.twitter.com/wIDoJo4v3b

— BC LIONS (@BCLions) March 20, 2026

Baker says FanFest attendees are also encouraged to support bring non-perishable food items or cash donations in support of the Mount Paul Community Food Centre.

First-year Lions players will report to Hillside Stadium for mini-camp on May 6, while veteran players will join them three days later on May 9. The team will hold its first full training camp practice in a little over six week’s time on May 10, with the final pre-season practice scheduled for May 27.

“FanFest is a special day on our calendar that helps us officially launch a new season, while allowing our great fans from across the province to establish a deeper connection with our team,” Lions president Duane Vienneau added in a statement.

“We can’t thank our great Lions fans and partners at BCLC enough for your continued support in making this fun for everyone involved.”

The Lions will play two pre-season games this year – against the Edmonton Elks on May 23 at Starlight Stadium in Langford and in Winnipeg on May 29 against the Blue Bombers.

The 2026 regular season will begin in earnest on June 13 when the Lions travel to Regina to face the defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders. They’ll begin the home schedule with two games in Kelowna while BC Place Stadium hosts FIFA men’s World Cup games.

The latest deal between the City of Kamloops and the BC Lions to host FanFest includes a $60,000 option for an extension in 2027. The city will pay the Lions $58,350 this year in exchange for a number of perks at Lions’ home games and events.

According to the city, that deal has an estimated economic spinoff of $300,000 per year into the community.

“This off season, as short as it is, it also seems long and FanFest is always a great point of camp,” Baker added. “You’re seeing some of the veterans rounding into form and some exciting rookies coming in and making an impact, vying for a spot on the team.”

“It’s just an overall fun day, because our fans are what make us tick.”

More information about BC Lions FanFest can be found here.

by Victor Kaisar

BC Lions FanFest to be held in Kamloops on May 16

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