BC Weekend Watch: Top Figure Skaters Hit Kelowna, Lions and Rise Open Playoffs
Everything you need to know for five must-follow sports storylines in British Columbia this weekend.
Watch your clocks. It’s a confusing time for BC sports fans, as clocks don’t shift in the province, wreaking havoc on the sports scene when BC teams play out-of-province opponents.
On Sunday, most of North America will fall back one hour, and BC will soon align with Denver, Colorado, instead of Seattle, Wash., while being just two hours behind Toronto and other East Coast cities.
While the time change will require an adjustment, plenty of high-stakes sports are happening across the province this weekend.
Here, Sports Page BC dives into the top five must-follow stories, including the university men’s and women’s soccer playoffs, also set for this weekend in previous coverage.
Skate Canada International Hits Kelowna
Some of the world’s best figure skaters hit Kelowna this weekend at the annual Skate Canada International, with Canada represented by 18 athletes across four disciplines.
The Canadian roster blends established international athletes with emerging talent as the sport’s elite level shifts in the wake of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics, with bronze medalists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier taking the season off to focus on other projects.
In their place, reigning Canadian champions and World Championship bronze medalists Lia Pereira and Trent Michaud look to secure a second gold medal of the season in pairs, joined by reigning World Junior Champions Ava Kemp and Yihnatan Elizarov, making their Grand Prix debut.
Other Canadians include Madeline Schizaas, returning for her sixth Skate Canada International event; Wesley Chiu, a 21-year-old Vancouver native who won the men’s singles competition in Calgary in 2024; and Stephen Gogolev, a 21-year-old who looks on the verge of a breakout into the world’s elite.
It comes at a formative time for Skate Canada, as the organization shepherds a new wave of talent in a rebuilding sports system under newly appointed CEO Therese Brisson, who took over in July after six years in the same position with Alpine Canada.
Competition starts Friday and runs through the weekend. Check out the full schedule here.
BC Lions Open CFL Playoffs Against Familiar Foe
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 1:30 pm PT
Where: BC Place, Vancouver
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View post ↗The BC Lions face a familiar playoff foe as they kick off their hunt for the 2026 Grey Cup.
After a slow start to the season, the Lions fought back to a 10-8 record and now face a similar opponent in the Roughriders, who also finished 10-8, marking the third straight season the two clubs have met in the postseason.
Last year, the Roughriders bested the Lions at Mosaic Stadium 24-21 on their way to a Grey Cup, with Trevor Harris hitting Tommy Nield for a three-yard touchdown pass in the final moments—and in 2024, the Roughriders topped the Lions 28-19 in the West semifinal.
The Lions won two of three games between the two teams this season to earn home advantage in a series in which the home team prevailed in each game. On Aug. 23, after losing the first game in Saskatchewan, Lions star quarterback Nathan Rourke passed for 355 yards and two touchdowns to seal a 30-16 win, a feat he’ll want to live up to Saturday night.
The Lions are the CFL’s hottest team since August, with nine wins in 12 games after a dismal 1-5 start and hope to carry that form into the postseason, with Rourke and receivers Keon Hatcher Jr., Justin McInnis and Jermaine Jackson likely to play key roles.
Vancouver Rise Begin Diana B. Matheson Cup Defence
When: Sunday, Nov. 1, 5 pm PCT
Where: Swangard Stadium, Burnaby
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View post ↗The Vancouver Rise snuck into the Northern Super League playoffs on the final day of the 2026 season, but now have a chance to defend their Diana B. Matheson Cup title from the inaugural 2025 season as they open the two-leg semifinal series against the CPL Shield-winning Montréal Roses at Swangard Stadium on Saturday.
After struggling through the middle of the season, the Rise found form after parting ways with previous head coach Anja Heiner-Møller in September, with interim head coach Iain Darbyshire leading the team to the postseason with a 3-2 win over the Calgary Wild on the final day of the season.
It will take a Herculean effort for Vancouver to knock off a dominant Roses side, but it won’t be impossible, given Jessica De Fillipo’s 13-goal Golden Boot season and a Vancouver side that finished with 47 goals, the second most in the NSL—albeit outweighed by conceded 55, the second-worst in the league.
Regardless, Saturday’s matchup will mark the final game at Swangard Stadium for 2026, with the Nov. 8 second leg against Montreal in Laval before the neutral-venue final in Ottawa.
Victoria Vikes Aim for Cross-Country Titles
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 11 am PT
Where: St. Mary’s University, Calgary
If you’re looking for high-stakes races, look no further than the Canada West Cross-Country Championships in Calgary this weekend, where the Victoria Vikes enter as the premier school and title favourites in both men’s and women’s competitions.
On the women’s side, the Vikes are looking to win a third-straight women’s championship. They are ranked atop the U Sports national rankings, led by Ella Ballard and Maya Royal, who both look to continue their form after a strong showing at the UBC Farm Fest event.
The men are also looking to defend their title after winning on home soil in 2025, led by 2025 individual champion Jaxon Kuchar, along with Rhys Beaudoin and Nico Stockwell, who both cracked the top 10 at the UBC Farm Fest event earlier in the month.
Outside the Vikes’ hunt for double glory, UBC’s Maximilien Fillion will contend in the men’s individual races after winning silver last season and recently winning the UBC Farm Fest 8km race in 24:48, 25 seconds ahead of second place. Meanwhile, teammate Katelyn Cotterell could contend on the women’s side, alongside UBCO’s Abigail Yakemchuk.
Through all competitions, athletes aim to qualify for the 2026 U Sports national championships in Hamilton, Ontario, on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Rivalry Weekend in Downtown Vancouver
Saturday, Oct. 31 | Vancouver Canucks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Sunday, Nov. 1 | Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Seattle Sounders
Few rivalries are fueled by pure hatred from BC’s fan bases. Two of them are happening on the same weekend in Downtown Vancouver, with both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Seattle Sounders in town on consecutive days.
On Saturday night, the Vancouver Canucks will look to secure just their second home win of the season as they welcome the Maple Leafs, who have had six former Canucks in their lineup at points this season, including Chris Tanev, Troy Stecher, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Zack MacEwan and Dakota Joshua.
It also marks the first Vancouver visit for 2026 No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna, who likely spent plenty of time last season imagining what his life could have looked like as a member of the Canucks, if the NHL Draft Lottery had fallen that way.
On Sunday afternoon, the Whitecaps will become the first BC pro sports team to play a game on the new “Pacific Time,” when they welcome the Seattle Sounders to BC Place. A win locks up the top spot in the Western Conference for Vancouver, with hopes of finishing the year second in the MLS table to give them the best possible chance of playing an MLS Cup final on home turf—the only team they can’t catch is Nashville SC, who clinched the Supporters’ Shield last weekend.
If you like rivalries, head to downtown Vancouver this weekend—even if it might be a little tight to see the Lions playoff game at 1:30 pm, before the Canucks play Toronto at 4 pm.
