Sports
HSBC SVNS Vancouver Schedule Announced
Fans will be treated to 70 matches and 28 hours of fast, hard-hitting rugby action over three days at HSBC SVNS Vancouver, with the full schedule for February 21 to 23 at BC Place now available here. Tickets are available for purchase at vansevens.com.
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team, who had a fourth-place finish in Perth this past weekend and took bronze at the 2024 edition of HSBC SVNS Vancouver, will kick off their campaign on Friday February 21 at 3:28pm PT against Brazil. This will be the team’s first match on home soil since their history-making silver medal performance last summer at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
They will then continue Pool A action on Friday night, taking on Spain at 8:58pm PT. Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team will close out pool play against Australia, the HSBC SVNS Perth champions, on Saturday at 3:08pm PT.
World Rugby announced the pools for HSBC SVNS Vancouver on Sunday in Perth, including a highly anticipated men’s Pool B featuring Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland.
In the men’s invitational, Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team will play a double round robin with Japan and Trinidad and Tobago on the Friday and Saturday. Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team kicks off their tournament with a rematch of November’s Rugby Americas North Sevens final, playing Trinidad and Tobago on the Friday at 1:30pm PT. They will then take on Japan that evening at 6:57pm PT.
The Saturday will see Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team play Trinidad and Tobago at 3:30pm PT, immediately following Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team’s match against Australia for a Canadian double feature.
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team will then close the men’s invitational against Japan at 6:19pm PT.
The HSBC SVNS Vancouver play-offs will begin on Saturday afternoon starting with the men’s 9th place semi-finals at 4:07pm PT, followed by the men’s quarter-finals. Focus will turn to the women’s competition at 6:48pm PT, with day two of HSBC SVNS Vancouver closing with the women’s quarter-finals.
Sunday February 23 will feature the HSBC SVNS semi-finals and finals, with the men’s cup final set for 5:05pm PT and the women’s for 5:41pm PT. HSBC SVNS Perth marked the first time in tournament history that the women’s cup final was the last match played, a milestone that will be made in Vancouver as well.
Gates will open on the Friday at 10:45am, Saturday at 10:00am and Sunday at 10:30am. Ticketholders will have in and out privileges until 7:00pm on Friday, 6:00pm on Saturday and 3:00pm on Sunday.
TSN will air more than 13 hours of live linear television coverage, including Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team’s pool play matches against Spain and Australia and Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team’s Friday match against Japan and Saturday match against Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the third place play-off and cup final matches. In addition, all matches will be available on TSN+.
Single day tickets went on sale on Thursday January 23. The highest demand ticket type, fans are encouraged to buy early prior to February 5, 2025 at 11:59pm to take advantage of discounted pricing, before standard pricing comes into effect on February 6, 2025.
Tickets are available at vansevens.com. Questions regarding ticket purchases can be directed to tickets@vansevens.com or 604-355-5330.
More information about the HSBC SVNS Series can be found at svns.com.
KEY TIMES SUMMARY
Friday February 21
Gates open: 10:45am
In and out privileges until: 7:00pm
Canada’s Matches
1:30pm PT – Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Trinidad and Tobago
3:28pm PT – Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs Brazil
6:57pm PT – Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Japan
8:58pm PT – Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs Spain
Saturday February 22
Gates open: 10:00am
In and out privileges until: 6:00pm
Canada’s Matches (double feature in bold)
3:08pm PT – Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs Australia
3:30pm PT – Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Trinidad and Tobago
6:19pm PT – Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Japan
*Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team play-off matches and opponents TBD
Sunday February 23
Gates open: 10:30am
In and out privileges until: 3:00pm
*Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team play-off matches and opponents TBD
Finals
4:05pm PT – Men’s third place play-off
4:33pm PT – Women’s third place play-off
5:05pm PT – Men’s cup final
5:41pm PT – Women’s cup final
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Reveal 2026 “After Dark” Home Kit
Vancouver Rise FC has revealed its new “After Dark” home kit for the 2026 Northern Super League season, pulling inspiration straight from the natural setting that surrounds its home at Swangard Stadium.
The design pays tribute to Central Park in Burnaby, with visuals that reflect the quiet, layered beauty of the park at night. Tree silhouettes stretch across the kit, creating a sense of depth and movement—meant to mirror the experience of looking up through the canopy after dark.
The club says the concept ties closely to its motto, “Stronger by Nature,” grounding the team’s identity in the environment that surrounds it. The design blends all crest colours with added tones that bring warmth and balance, giving the kit a look that feels both rooted and refined. Paired with classic shorts and socks, it leans into tradition while still telling a clear local story.
A key detail returns on both the After Dark kit and the club’s secondary “Sunshine Kit” for 2026. A Gold Pointed Star sits on the left sleeve, marking Vancouver Rise FC as the inaugural champions of the Northern Super League. The patch represents the league’s top honour and signals the club’s early place in its history.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley praised the design and its connection to the community, pointing to the pride residents have in their parks and green spaces. He added that seeing Central Park reflected in the team’s identity makes the return to Swangard Stadium for the new season feel even more meaningful.
The After Dark kit leans heavily into place and atmosphere. It’s less about flash and more about identity—something that feels tied to where the team plays and who shows up for them.
Pre-orders for both the After Dark and Sunshine kits are now available through the club’s official store, with options for delivery or in-stadium pickup.
Sports
2026 Stars On Ice Announces Olympic Bronze Medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirierat in Vancouver
Canadian figure skating fans are getting a rare post-Olympic victory lap moment this spring.
Fresh off the 2026 Winter Olympics, the country’s top skaters are heading out on the 2026 edition of Stars on Ice, with a stop in Vancouver set for May 12 at Rogers Arena.
Leading the lineup are Olympic bronze medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. Their free dance this season, inspired by The Starry Night, helped secure their first Olympic podium and quickly became one of the most talked-about programs of the Games.
They’ll be joined by a stacked group of Canadian talent, including world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps. Also on the bill: four-time national champion Madeline Schizas, and rising pair team Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, who recently picked up medals on the world stage.
The tour leans heavily into nostalgia too. Canadian icon Elvis Stojko returns as a central figure, still known for the kind of power and speed that made him a standout in the ’90s. Kaetlyn Osmond, one of the country’s most decorated skaters with Olympic gold, silver, and bronze to her name, is back as well.
Rounding out the cast are fan favourites Keegan Messing and Roman Sadovsky, with Sadovsky making his Stars on Ice debut. For the Vancouver show, guest performers Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac will join the lineup.
Behind the scenes, Kurt Browning returns as director and choreographer. His work has shaped the tour for years, blending technical skating with a more theatrical style that plays well in an arena setting.
The Vancouver stop is set for 7:00 p.m., with tickets already on sale through the usual outlets. Prices start at $35, with premium on-ice seating and group options available. More information on the Stars On Ice website.