BC Lions to play in Victoria for first ever 'Touchdown Pacific' game in 2024 season

BC Lions fans living on Vancouver Island will get to skip the ferry trip for one game next season – instead, the CFL is coming to them.

Announced on Wednesday, the latest installment of the Touchdown Series will be called Touchdown Pacific as it comes to Victoria for the 2024 Labour Day Weekend.

“As a lifelong fan of the CFL, I am thrilled to welcome Touchdown Pacific to Victoria,” said Mayor Marianne Alto.

“The passionate fans in our community, combined with our historic natural grass stadium, will make this Labour Day contest a classic football match and a highlight of the 2024 CFL season with family-friendly festivities beforehand.”

The BC Lions will take on the Ottawa Redblacks at Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

The park’s seating will be expanded with temporary structures to accommodate approximately 10-14,000 fans.

“We have long stated that the Lions are British Columbia’s team and being born and raised in Victoria, I am honoured to have the opportunity to see our team play in the provincial capital,” said BC Lions Owner Amar Doman.

Touchdown Pacific follows in the footsteps of Touchdown Atlantic, an installment of events meant to deepen the imprints of Canadian football on the East Coast.

The 2023 event generated more than $10 million in overall economic impact across the region.

“Touchdown Pacific was born out of a desire to strengthen the ties between Canadian football and another corner of our amazing country and we look forward to an incredible event next year,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.

Ticket information, associated events and festivities will be announced at a later date.