BC Lions schedule: Why these are the 5 must-see home games this season

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Will the B.C. Lions attract a sellout crowd Saturday?

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That’s bound to be one of the more compelling statistics for the Vancouver sports’ scene this summer.

A Lions’ spokesperson confirmed Monday that they’re expecting over 50,000 in the stands for Saturday’s home-opener at B.C. Place against the Calgary Stampeders, which features a pre-game concert from Grammy Award-winner and Super Bowl halftime performer 50 Cent.

The team is calling B.C. Place capacity 53,000, although that number could rise depending on the setup for 50 Cent’s performance. The Lions announced this week that they’ve moved the concert stage from the stands to the field, which is opening up more seats.

Saturday’s game should be the largest crowd for a Lions’ regular-season home game since their announced attendance of 50,213 for a Sept. 30, 2011, game with the Edmonton Eskimos, which marked the reopening of B.C. Place. The Lions had started the season out of Empire Field.

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The Lions hosted the Grey Cup that season at B.C. Place — like they will this year on Nov. 17, with festivities including a halftime show featuring the Jonas Brothers — and they announced a sellout of 54,313 at B.C. Place that afternoon to witness the Lions edge the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34-23 to close out the CFL campaign.

The Lions’ home-opener last year, which featured a performance by LL Cool J, had an announced crowd of 33,103, while the 2002 home-opener, with OneRepublic providing the pre-game entertainment, drew an announced attendance of 34,082.

“We’re really excited about this week. The crowd, the concert and everything else … it’s a good vibe for our team,” Lions co-general manager Neil McEvoy said Monday morning. “The crowd is going to be amazing. It’s going to be a good day.”

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B.C. comes into the game off a loss after dropping the season-opener Sunday on the road with a 35-27 setback to the Toronto Argonauts. The Lions coughed up a 20-6 lead, and among the reasons for the loss was poor pass protection, as Toronto recorded six sacks on quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

“There was a lot we liked and a lot the players know they can clean up,” McEvoy said. “They know why they lost. They’re disappointed about losing. But there are also ups-and-downs in all pro sports seasons. It happens for all teams.”

These are just early days for the Lions’ year. With that in mind, here are five key home dates this season for B.C. after Saturday’s 50 Cent game:

Lions versus Roughriders on July 13

The Watermelon Smash is back at B.C. Place with “watermelon-themed activities ruling the pre-game fun,” according to the Lions.

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The rivalry with the ‘Riders is one of the Lions’ better ones. You could argue that it added another layer this off-season, with Port Moody product Corey Mace signing on as Saskatchewan’s head coach last November. He had been the defensive coordinator with the Argos before that.

Lions vs. Redblacks on Aug. 31

B.C. hosts Ottawa at Royal Athletic Park in Touchdown Pacific, and they’ll convert what’s normally the baseball home of the collegiate all-star Victoria HarbourCats into a football venue. The 14,000 tickets for the game sold out in less than an hour, the Lions announced on March 28.

The Lions have set up a viewing party at nearby Central Park, which is a couple of blocks away from Royal Athletic. Tickets for that are expected to go on sale later this month. 

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Lions vs. Argonauts on Sept. 13

The Lions will add their 2000 Cup team to their Wall of Fame during that visit by Toronto to B.C. Place. That B.C. squad featured the likes of Lui Passaglia, Jamie Taras, Sean Millington, Damon Allen and Robert Drummond.

B.C. (8-10) became the first team with a losing regular-season record to win the Cup. They beat Edmonton (10-8-0-1) 34-32 in the West semifinal, then downed Calgary (12-5-1-0) 37-23 in the West finale to advance to the Cup in Calgary against the Montreal Alouettes (12-6-0-0). The Lions won that game 28-26, getting a 29-yard field goal from Passaglia with 1:25 left to secure the win in what would be the final game of his storied CFL career.

Lions vs. Tiger-Cats on Sept. 27

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It’s Orange Shirt day, with the Lions honouring Canada’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. The Lions have announced 10,000 orange shirt giveaways and a performance from DJs/producers The Halluci Nation.

Lions vs. Alouettes on Oct. 19

The reigning Cup champions provide the opponent for the regular-season finale. The Lions are promoting the game as Future Stars Night, with a “celebration of football and cheerleading stars of the future.”

SEwen@postmedia.com

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