The Vanier Cup is coming to BC Place in 2011, marking the first time in history the Canadian Interuniversity Sport football final will be played in British Columbia.
The 47th Vanier final is set for Nov. 25, 2011, just two days before the 99th Grey Cup Final, which is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 27, at BC Place.
The CIS Vanier Cup game will become part of the Grey Cup Festival. The decision follows a successful joint partnership between the Grey Cup and Vanier Cup in 2007, when the two events were held together in Toronto.
In 2007, more than 26,000 fans filled Rogers Centre to watch the University of Manitoba Bisons battle the Saint Mary's Huskies for the CIS title.
The crowd made CIS history, becoming the seventh largest in number ever and the largest since 1995.
"This is an important partnership for CIS and we look forward to being a part of what promises to be a tremendous celebration of Canadian football in Vancouver in 2011," said CIS President Clint Hamilton to BCLions.com.
B.C. teams haven't fared well in CIS play. UBC capture the first title for the west coast in 1982 and then again in 1986.
In 1997, UBC won its third title, but since then has not made an appearance in a Vanier Cup final.
The Vanier Cup has been traditionally held in Toronto. From 1965 to 1988, the final was hosted by Varsity and Exhibition Stadiums, before moving to the Toronto Skydome from 1989 to 2003.
The 2010 Vanier Cup is set to be played at the PEPS Stadium in Quebec City between Calgary and Laval on Nov. 27.
"We're extremely pleased to have the Vanier Cup in British Columbia for the first time and having it as part of our ‘Raise the Roof' Grey Cup festival," said David Braley, owner of the 99th Grey Cup host BC Lions on BCLions.com.
"This provides a great opportunity to highlight the importance of the development of amateur football in the natural setting of the 99th Grey Cup weekend. It will be a true celebration of football Canadian style."
