COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT
Matt Baker, Senior Manager of Communications & Content (Print, Radio, Television, Digital Outlet & Photography requests)
Office: (604) 930-5939, Cell: (778) 873-7605 or mbaker@bclions.com
10605 – City Parkway, Surrey BC, V3T 4C8
The 2025 media accreditation process will open in March 2025.
Final updates to the CFL’s 2025 Media policy are still being worked on. See below for accreditation policies and planned routines for daily media availabilities in 2025.
ACCREDITATION POLICY
Media access to BC Lions games will be issued before the start of the season to all major local media outlets and individuals who regularly cover the club. Members of the media who have not received season passes can apply on a game-by-game basis by contacting the communications staff at least five days before game day.
Credentials are issued to individuals and are not transferable. Credentials are to be used for the purpose for which they are issued, with no exceptions. Failure to comply with this policy will result in ejection from BC Place and a ban on future access to Lions home games.
Note: The BC Lions Football Club grants priority to photographers who work for accredited news outlets. Requests from freelance photographers are handled on a case-by-case basis. All image requests can be forwarded to the coordinates above. Sideline line photo access will be given priority to Lions’ team photographers and those hired by the CFL. Any outlet seeking access to team photos can do so by contacting the above communications contacts.
PICK-UP – Single game media credentials can be picked up at either reception at the BC Lions Practice Facility- 10605 City Parkway, Surrey- or at the BC Place WILL CALL booth on game day, located at Gate H at Terry Fox Plaza. Accessible off of Beatty and Robson St.
Credential requests will not be accepted on game day.
Applications for 2025 media accreditation are open and can be filled out HERE. The deadline for season applications is Friday, April 18.
MEDIA CENTRE
The media box at BC Place is located on Level 2 and is accessible from the NEW media access at Gate H.
Game Notes: Game notes, rosters, media guides, weekly statistics, and game day programs will be sent via email the day before each home game
Statistics: Individual and team statistics will be updated at halftime and post-game. Updated play-by-play reports will be provided after each quarter. Half-time statistics are distributed early in the third quarter, while final statistics are distributed approximately 15-20 minutes following a game. Final statistical packages will also be provided in the media box following each game.
Meals: game day press box meals will return in 2025 on an individual basis only. Applicants must specify in the form if they will require an individual meal and list any possible dietary restrictions.
Post-Game Media Availability: Head coach Buck Pierce, the quarterback and one additional prominent player will be brought to the post-game interview room located at field level across from the home locker room approx. 15 minutes after the game’s conclusion. Following availability in the interview room, the Lions’ locker room will be open for additional interview opportunities. Requests for players not being brought to the interview room are encouraged before the start of media availability. All requests for post-game 1-on-1s will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Photographers: those accredited to take photos on game day are required to wear a grey CFL bib available for pickup in the east end zone. This location also serves as a workspace with tables and chairs available.
DAILY PRACTICE AVAILABILITY AND ‘DAY BEFORE’ MEDIA CONFERENCE
A mixture of head coach, players, coordinators and assistant coaches will be made available at the club’s practice facility following practice daily. Media attending practices must submit their requests to the communications department no later than 30 minutes before the end of practice. A detailed, daily practice and media schedule can be accessed here.
Per the CFL’s media policy, quarterbacks are granted one off day per week from post-practice media obligations. Unless otherwise noted, this will regularly occur on ‘Day 2″ of the practice week, which falls three days before every game day. Example: the Lions playing on Saturday means quarterbacks will not be available following practice on Wednesday.
Requests for locker room access will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Should any post-practice media availability be impacted by inclement weather, head coach Buck Pierce and any players requested will be made available in the club’s upstairs media room.
Day-Before visiting team media availability
The visiting club will conduct availability with select players and the head coach at either their hotel or BC Place, should they be conducting a day before walkthrough practice. Best efforts will be made for this to coincide with the BC Lions team timing, making it shortly after their availability.
GAME DAY ACCESS
Media covering the games can enter BC Place through the Gate H media and suite entrance off Terry Fox Plaza starting 75 minutes before kickoff at every Lions home game. An additional entrance is open down below Gate H at Media West off Expo Blvd. Once inside the gate, the elevator to Level 3 and the media centre is to the left of the door. This entrance can also be used for pick up of single-game media credentials.
FACILITY ARRIVAL & PRACTICE ACCESS
For photographers and camera personnel, video and photos must be taken from a designated area. Video and photography can only be taken during designated times at practice.
