Vancouver Bandits
Canadian professional basketball team in the CEBL.
The Vancouver Bandits are a professional basketball team based in Langley, British Columbia, and play in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Their home games are held at the Langley Events Centre in Metro Vancouver. The franchise was originally called the Fraser Valley Bandits, but the name changed after the team was sold.
The team was first announced as part of the CEBL in November 2017. In July 2018, the league revealed the team’s name and logo—a red fox wearing a bandit mask. The Bandits began play in the 2019 season at Abbotsford Centre. Their first franchise win came on June 27, 2019, against the Saskatchewan Rattlers. That inaugural season ended with a 4–16 record and no playoff berth.
In the shortened 2020 season, the Bandits finished 4–2 in the regular season and reached the CEBL championship game, where they lost 90–73 to the Edmonton Stingers. The 2021 season saw a 7–7 record and a playoff spot. After beating the Guelph Nighthawks in the quarterfinals, they lost 84–82 to the Niagara River Lions in the semifinals. On September 23, 2021, the team announced that Langley Events Centre would become their home arena starting in May 2022.
The Bandits have won the CEBL regular season top team honor twice (2024, 2025), the Western Conference regular season title three times (2024, 2025, 2026), and the Western Conference championship once (2024).
- League
- Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
- Location
- Langley, British Columbia, Canada
- Home Venue
- Langley Events Centre
- Former Name
- Fraser Valley Bandits
- Regular Season Top Team
- 2 (2024, 2025)
- Western Conference Champions
- 1 (2024)
- First Win
- June 27, 2019 vs. Saskatchewan Rattlers
Lore & Background
The franchise was first announced as part of the CEBL in November 2017, and on July 16, 2018, the league revealed the team as the Fraser Valley Bandits, with a logo depicting a red fox wearing a bandit mask. The team began play in the 2019 CEBL season at Abbotsford Centre. Their first franchise win came on June 27, 2019, against the Saskatchewan Rattlers, but they finished the inaugural campaign with a 4-16 record and missed the playoffs.
In the 2020 season, the Bandits improved to a 4-2 regular season record and advanced to the CEBL championship game, where they lost to the Edmonton Stingers 90-73. The 2021 season saw them go 7-7, earn a playoff berth, defeat the Guelph Nighthawks in the quarterfinals, and then lose to the Niagara River Lions 84-82 in the semifinals. On September 23, 2021, the team announced that Langley Events Centre would become their home beginning in May 2022. Following a sale of the team, the name was changed to the Vancouver Bandits.
Reader's Guide
The Vancouver Bandits represent a key franchise in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, a professional league that began play in 2019. Originally the Fraser Valley Bandits, the team underwent a name change after a sale, reflecting a shift in branding to the broader Vancouver metropolitan area. Their significance lies in their competitive trajectory: after a difficult inaugural season, they reached the CEBL championship game in 2020 and became a consistent playoff contender. The Bandits have earned multiple regular season top team honours (2024, 2025) and Western Conference titles, including a Western Conference championship in 2024. Their move to Langley Events Centre in 2022 solidified a permanent home in Metro Vancouver. The team's history illustrates the growth of professional basketball in Canada outside the NBA, contributing to the CEBL's development as a platform for Canadian players and coaches.
Did You Know?
- The team was originally named the Fraser Valley Bandits before a sale led to the name change to Vancouver Bandits.
- The Bandits' logo features a red fox wearing a bandit mask.
- Their first franchise win was on June 27, 2019, against the Saskatchewan Rattlers.
- The Bandits advanced to the CEBL championship game in 2020 but lost to the Edmonton Stingers 90-73.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vancouver Bandits basketball team?
The Vancouver Bandits are a professional basketball franchise based in Langley, British Columbia, that competes in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). They represent the Metro Vancouver area in Canadian professional basketball.
Where do the Vancouver Bandits play their home games?
The team hosts its home games at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, BC. They originally opened their franchise at the Abbotsford Centre during the 2019 season before settling into their current venue.
Why is the team called the Vancouver Bandits instead of the Fraser Valley Bandits?
The franchise was originally announced in November 2017 under the Fraser Valley Bandits name. The rebrand to the Vancouver Bandits took place after the team was sold to new ownership, and the updated identity—featuring a red fox in a bandit mask—was unveiled in July 2018.
What are the Vancouver Bandits' biggest accomplishments so far?
The Bandits won the CEBL Western Conference championship in 2024 and finished as the league's top regular-season team in both 2024 and 2025. Their first-ever franchise victory came on June 27, marking the beginning of the program's competitive run.
When did the Vancouver Bandits first start playing in the CEBL?
The franchise was announced as a CEBL expansion team in November 2017 and took the court for its inaugural season in 2019. That first season also saw the team compete out of the Abbotsford Centre before the move to Langley.
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