The Vancouver Bandits have announced that Otter Co-op has been named the presenting partner of the Bandits Backyard BBQ, enhancing one of the club’s most popular fan experiences at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. The Bandits Backyard BBQ, introduced during the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, quickly became a fan-favourite Sunday tradition. Designed to bring the community together before tip-off, the Bandits Backyard BBQ experience features live music, local food and beverage offerings, interactive activations and a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere that extends the game day experience beyond the court. Through the partnership, Otter Co-op will play a key role in elevating the Bandits Backyard BBQ experience, while deepening the connection between the Bandits, Bandits fans and the greater community. Attending the Bandits Backyard BBQ is free to all community members and Bandits gameday ticket purchasers. “As we continue to build one of the best live event experiences in the country, Bandits Backyard BBQ has become a cornerstone of what makes Bandits game days special,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Otter Co-op is a trusted community brand that understands how to bring people together. This partnership allows us to elevate an experience our fans already love while continuing to create meaningful moments before the game even begins.” The Bandits Backyard BBQ will be expanded to all Saturday and Sunday Vancouver Bandits regular season home games during the 2026 CEBL season The dates for the 2026 Bandits Backyard BBQs at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre are: Sunday, May 24, 2026 vs. Calgary | 5:00 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2026 vs. Saskatoon | 6:00 p.m. Game played at Prospera Place as part of Kelowna HOOPFEST Saturday, June 13, 2026 vs. Ottawa | 6:00 p.m Saturday, June 20, 2026 vs. Brampton | 6:00 p.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2026 vs. Calgary | 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026 vs. Saskatchewan | 6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 2, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 12:30 p.m. "Otter Co-op and Angry Otter Liquor have always believed that strong communities are built around shared experiences, and the Bandits Backyard BBQ is exactly that kind of opportunity,” said Otter Co-op marketing & community relations manager, Sean Weatherly. “The Vancouver Bandits support the community and bring people together in a way that reflects everything we value as a co-operative. We couldn't be more excited to partner with them to be part of it, and can't wait to see everyone out at the barbecues this summer.” The partnership reflects the Bandits and Otter Co-op’s continued commitment of creating community-driven experiences that go beyond basketball, while aligning with partners who share a vision of connection, accessibility and local impact. For more information about the Vancouver Bandits, visit thebandits.ca .

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that guard Shamar Givance will return to the club for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, re-signing for his second consecutive season with BC’s professional basketball team. A 5-foot-10 guard originally from Brampton, Ont., Givance averaged 7.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists during the 2025 CEBL regular season while appearing in all 24 regular season games with 10 starts. Both a playmaker and dynamic scorer, he tied the franchise’s single-game assist record on May 24, 2025 with 15 assists and closed out the regular season with a pair of 20+ point performances on July 8 and July 10, 2025. “Shamar is an elite Canadian guard. His pace, vision, and ability to finish elevates everyone around him, along with his selfless play and competitive fire. He was a cornerstone of our success last season and we’re fired up to have him back,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius of Givance. Givance is currently playing in France with Champagne Basket Reims of the Pro B League and will report to the Bandits at the conclusion of his season overseas. He is currently averaging 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 23.1 minutes in 31 games played. “I’m incredibly excited to be back in Vancouver this summer, the energy from the fans last season was unreal,” said Givance. “I can’t wait to get back on the court with the Bandits and get to work on some unfinished business.” Givance began his post-secondary basketball career at the University of Evansville from 2018 to 2022, where he earned All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team honours in 2021. He then transferred to the University of Texas El Paso for his graduate season in 2022-23 where he averaged the third-most assists and steals per game in Conference USA and ranked eighth in program history with 62 steals in a single season. Fans will get their first chance to watch the Bandits’ new-look roster in a charitable preseason game on Saturday, May 9 at 5:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre when the club faces the Sikh Warriors from ESPN’s The Basketball Tournament. Preseason tickets are on sale at this link , with proceeds benefitting the Bandits Community Foundation. The Bandits open the 2026 CEBL regular season on Thursday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m. PT on the road in Saskatoon before coming home for its Home Opener against the Edmonton Stingers on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre.

The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that the club will host a charitable preseason game on Saturday, May 9 at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PT. Proceeds from the second-annual charitable preseason game will benefit the Bandits Community Foundation , which uses basketball to empower youth across British Columbia through grassroots programs, life skills education, and expanded access to the sport. Matching up with the Bandits will be the Sikh Warriors, a team featuring high-calibre players and homegrown talent. The Sikh Warriors previously participated in the 2025 edition of The Basketball Tournament, a U.S.-based invitational summer tournament broadcast on ESPN. This upcoming game will mark the second preseason matchup between the two teams, with the Bandits previously taking the first meeting 100-78 on May 10, 2025. The May 9 contest will serve as a unique opportunity for fans to witness both international talent and Canadian professional basketball as the Bandits tune up for the upcoming season as part of 2026 CEBL Training Camp. Tickets are available now at www.thebandits.ca/tickets . In addition to the May 9 charity exhibition game, the club will also be hosting its fifth-annual School Day Game on Thursday, May 7 at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. The sold-out intrasquad game will tip-off at 11:00 a.m. PT. Updates and recaps for the Bandits 2026 preseason games will be available at thebandits.ca and through the Vancouver Bandits’ social media channels. The Bandits open the 2026 CEBL season on Thursday, May 14 on the road in Saskatoon before coming home for its Home Opener against the Edmonton Stingers on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. A full game schedule can be viewed here . Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2026 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here . More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .