The stadium has been home to two pro sports during its history. The NASL (North American Soccer League) Whitecaps played here briefly for 2 years in '83 and '84. The CFL (Canadian Football League) BC Lions have played here since the Stadium opened in 1983.
The CFL celebrates its 50th year of existence in 2008 but can trace its roots back to the late 1800's. The CFL evolved from the Canadian rugby football (as it was previously termed) that was governed by the Canadian Rugby Union.
The Lions joined the WIFU (Western Interprovincial Football Union) in 1954 and played in the old Empire Stadium (Demolished in the early 1990's) from 1954 to 1982.
The Lions have won the Grey Cup (CFL Championship) 5 times. 1964, 1985, 1994, 2000, and 2006.
BC Place covers 4 hectares (10 acres), is 232 m (760 ft.) long, 190 m (623 ft.) wide and 60 m (200 ft.) high. The circumference is 760 m (2,500 ft.).
BC Place is the worlds largest air supported dome and seats 59,841 fans. Although the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan has seating for 80,325 people, BC Place has the larger Canadian football field and therefore a larger dome footprint for a seating capacity of 60,000.
A retractable roof is planed to replace the roof after the 2010 Olympics.
The stadium has hosted Grey Cup games in 1983, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1994, 1999, and 2005.