For the latest on Vancouver sports events, contact Tickets Tonight (www.ticketstonight.ca) or visit their booth within the Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre.

• Hockey
• Canadian Football
• Soccer
• Baseball

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Hockey
The Canadian love of hockey has supported the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks (www.canucks.com) franchise since the mid-70s. Debate over the team, its management, staff, players and the team's variable fortunes reigns hot and heavy in the media and on the streets. In the spring of 1995, the Canucks, who play at the city's GM Place, captured the imagination of the entire province, when they came within a goal of winning the coveted Stanley Cup. Those who can't get tickets to a Canucks game should consider checking-out the Western Hockey League's Vancouver Giants (www.vancouvergiants.com), who play at the Pacific Coliseum.

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Canadian Football
The BC Lions (www.bclions.com), who play in the 60,000-seat domed BC Place Stadium, were Canadian Football League champions in 2006. The football season runs from June to November, culminating in the championship game for the Grey Cup. Canadian football is played with three downs, compared with four in American football, and takes place on a longer and wider field than US teams use. Aficionados claim it makes the Canadian game faster and more exciting, with more passing. Judge for yourself.

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Soccer
The world's most popular game, soccer is played professionally in Vancouver by the Vancouver Whitecaps (www.whitecapsfc.com), who have USL First Division and PDL men's teams and a USL W-League women's team. The First Division and W-League teams are based at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium, although the team is aiming to relocate to a new, purpose-built stadium in downtown Vancouver within the next few years.

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Baseball
Strike, you're out! Baseball is a local tradition thanks to the Vancouver Canadians (www.canadiansbaseball.com), the city's short-season, single-A team. Enjoy a spirited Canadians game from June through September at historic Nat Bailey Stadium.

Story idea Take in an afternoon with the locals at a Vancouver Canadians baseball game. Your story could focus on this nostalgic, old-school experience for visitors and include comments from your fellow spectators on their memories of coming here over the years.