Sports Culture in Vancouver

Vancouver locals are extremely enthusiastic when it comes to sports. There are two venues, BC Place Stadium and General Motors Place (nicknamed GM Place), where football and hockey games can be watched. GM Place is Vancouver's premier sports and entertainment venue and is sponsored by General Motors Canada. This large indoor arena is home to the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL, and seats 18,630 for ice hockey. BC Place Stadium is Canada's first domed stadium, and is the largest air-supported stadium in the world. Located to the north of Downtown's False Creek community, it is home to the BC Lions of the CFL, the region's largest consumer shows, trade shows and special events. BC Place will be hosting the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympic games, and seats about 60,000. The two venues sit next to each other.

 

When the World Cup comes around, the different ethnic groups of this diverse city fanatically cheer for their country. Commercial Drive, a main road located east of Downtown Vancouver with several European shops, restaurants and cafes, fills up with pride, excited Europeans and South Americans

 

Locals also flock to Robson Street, one of Vancouver's most popular shopping strips, when the Vancouver Canucks win a play off round. A big celebration takes place here, and people can be seen screaming and honking horns. Hockey is a great part of Canadian culture; people grow up either watching it or playing it. Saturday is also a huge hockey night for Canadians during the season. Also known as Hockey Night in Canada, friends and family get together religiously every weekend to watch the game.

 

The Vancouver Canucks joined the National Hockey League in 1970. Their current coach since 2006 is Alain Vigneault, a French Quebec native, and Marcus Naslund holds the current captain position.