Attendance at BC Lions games is on the rise.
And no, this time, it has nothing to do with Snoop Dogg.
For the second home game, the Lions are opening the upper bowl at BC Place for their battle against the Edmonton Elks on Friday, Oct. 17.
Last week against the Calgary Stampeders, the Lions had over 28,000 fans watch their 38-24 win at home.
Fans at the win were treated to a dominating Lions performance throughout. It was 31-9 for BC in the fourth quarter, before two touchdown passes from Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. made it a close game late.
It was the third time this season they surpassed 28,000 tickets sold, having done so in the home opener against the Elks (52,837) and in Week 7 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders (28,983).
In general, ticket sales for the Lions have been trending back in the right direction. They’re currently on pace for their best average attendance numbers since the 2014 season, the last time they averaged over 28,000 fans per game (28,011 was the final average that season).
This season, the Lions have averaged 27,106 fans per contest.
Snoop Dogg performed at the Lions home opener this season (Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images)
Of course, those attendance numbers are inflated by the home opener, which featured Snoop Dogg.
Removing the home opener, the Lions have averaged 23,430 per game at BC Place, which still shows that they’ve done a better job selling tickets compared to years past.
The Lions saw a drastic drop in average attendance between the 2014 and 2015 seasons, going from an average of 28,011 fans per game down to 21,023. They dropped to as low as an average of 17,803 per game in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attendance was trending downwards until Amar Doman purchased the team in August of 2021.
Since 2022, Lions attendance has trended back in the right direction. In 2024, they had the third-best attendance in the league, behind just the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The home opening concerts have helped, but this year, the product on the field has also been entertaining.
BC is the definition of a high-octane, high-event football team. Led by Victoria, B.C. native Nathan Rourke at quarterback, they have the most dangerous offence in the entire league.
On the defensive side, the Lions have been permissive, allowing 454 total points this season, the second-highest total in the league.
For better or for worse, Lions games haven’t been a dull affair this season.
BC has clinched a playoff spot and is currently second in the West. They could have a chance to lock up a home playoff game if they defeat the Elks next week.
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