BC Lions to call Kelowna home for week of football festivities

Published 5:45 pm Monday, February 23, 2026

The BC Lions will be making Kelowna home for a week this summer as the city gears up to host a week-long football festival.

Touchdown Kelowna will feature a fan party, family friendly events, Kelowna’s traditional Canada Day activities, and two Canadian Football League games.

The BC Lions will host the Calgary Stampeders on June 27 and the Edmonton Elks on July 4 at the Apple Bowl to start and end the week of festivities.

The official announcement for Touchdown Kelowna was made at a media availability on Okanagan Campus Feb. 23.

Exciting news for #football fans in #Kelowna! @KelownaCapNews @BCLions @OkanaganCollege @cityofkelowna pic.twitter.com/RsPGWpFF2I

— Brittany Webster (@thebrittwebster) February 24, 2026

“Touchdown Kelowna represents the power of partnership between the CFL, the BC Lions, and the Kelowna community. This brand was intentionally designed to reflect the beauty and spirit of the valley — from the green fields that honour our agricultural roots and Kelowna’s distinction as Canada’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, to the blue waters that define the region’s landscape,” said Carolyn Cody, the Lions’ vice-president of business operations and marketing.

“The rising orange sun symbolizes warmth, growth, and the energy Touchdown Kelowna will bring to the Okanagan. This is more than a game — it’s a celebration of place.”

BC Lions President Duane Vienneau said Touchdown Kelowna is estimated to generate $70-million in economic impact. “To put it in perspective… there’s been some Grey Cups in the last five years that haven’t hit that number.”

The BC Lions’ players and staff will be housed at Okanagan College during the festival week. The post-secondary institute is the key sponsor behind the events.

Tickets to the games go on sale Feb. 27. Party Zone tickets for fans wanting a sideline experience will be available at a later date.

More information about events for Touchdown Kelowna will be announced in the coming weeks.