BC History: The Vancouver Sun Tournament of Champions

Sponsored by the Vancouver Sun, the Sun Tournament of Champions was held each April/May for 34 years from 1953 to 1986.

The tournament helped develop two generations of soccer talent as youth aged U11 to U18 from across the province competed for the rights to be crowned champions.

Until the 1980's, the entire tournament was for boys only, no girls teams allowed. As women's soccer grew in popularity, a separate Girls Soccer Championship was implemented from 1975 to 1980. The two championships then merged in 1980 and therefore girls soccer was included in the Sun Tournament until 1986.

In the early years of the Sun Tournament, it was coastal teams only. It wasn't until the 1970s when teams from British Columbia's Interior and the tournament then referred to as the Provincial Championships.

After 1986, the Sun ended its 34 years of sponsorship of these championships. In 1987, BC Youth Soccer revamped its regional and provincial cup competitions to put in place two levels of play: the “A Cup” for district select teams and the “B Cup” for club teams.

For more information on the Sun Tournament, read the full History, Results and All-Stars of the Vancouver Sun "Tournament of Soccer Champions, or visit the BC Soccer Heritage & Hall of Fame.

By submitting your documents you are helping keep the history of Soccer alive and tell the stories of those that built the Beautiful Game in Beautiful British Columbia.

01 Apr 2026

2026 News

BC Soccer Association

Established in 1904, BC Soccer is the largest provincial sports organization (PSO) in BC and the third largest soccer-specific PSO in Canada with over 150,000 participants, consisting of registered players, coaches, referees, administrators and soccer leaders. As a professional not-for-profit society and a member of Canada Soccer, BC Soccer is committed to providing the widest opportunities for existing and potential participants, as well as provide support in the most effective and appropriate way for current players, parents, volunteers, member clubs, leagues, and districts.

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