Spectators and participants will find plenty of activities in Vancouver. You can get schedule information on all major events at Tourism Vancouver's Travel Info Centre, 200 Burrard St. (tel. 604/683-2000; www.tourismvancouver.com). You can also get information and purchase tickets from Ticketmaster at the Vancouver Ticket Centre, 1304 Hornby St. (tel. 604/280-4444; www.ticketmaster.ca), which has 40 outlets in the greater Vancouver area, though like every other Ticketmaster, they do charge a fee. Popular events such as Canucks games and the Vancouver Indy can sell out weeks or months in advance, so it's a good idea to book ahead.

Auto Racing

In late July, the CART Indy Series mounts its biggest annual event, the Molson Indy, 750 Pacific Blvd. (tel. 604/684-4639 for information; 604/280-4639 for tickets). General admission starts at C$15 (US$11), depending on the race day. A 3-day general admission ticket costs C$60 (US$45). The race roars through Vancouver's streets around B.C. Place Stadium and the north and south shores of False Creek, attracting more than 350,000 spectators.

Football

The Canadian Football League's B.C. Lions (tel. 604/930-5466; www.bclions.com) play their home and Grey Cup championship games (in good seasons) in the 60,000-seat B.C. Place Stadium, 777 Pacific Blvd. S. (at Beatty and Robson sts.). Canadian football differs from its American cousin: It's a three-down offense game on a field that's 10 yards longer and wider. Some of the plays you see will have NFL fans leaping out of their seats in surprise. Tickets run C$20 to C$60 (US$15-US$45).

Hockey

The National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks play at General Motors Place (otherwise known as the Garage), 800 Griffith's Way (tel. 604/899-4600; event hot line 604/899-7444; www.canucks.com). Tickets are C$26 to C$95 (US$20-US$71).

Horse Racing

Thoroughbreds run at Hastings Park Racecourse, Exhibition Park, East Hastings and Cassiar streets (tel. 604/254-1631; www.hastingspark.com), from mid-April to October. Post time varies, please call ahead or check the website for the latest schedule if you want to place a wager or two. There is a decent restaurant there, so you can make a full evening or afternoon of dining and racing.

Running

The Sun Run in April and the Vancouver International Marathon in May attract many runners from around the world and even more spectators. Contact the Vancouver International Marathon Society, 1601 Bayshore Dr., in the Westin Bayshore Hotel (tel. 604/872-2928), or the Vancouver Sun Run, 655 Burrard St. (tel. 604/689-9441), for information.

Soccer

The American Professional Soccer League's Vancouver Whitecaps (tel. 604/899-9283) play at Swangard Stadium (tel. 604/435-7121; www.whitecapssoccer.com) in Burnaby. Admission is normally C$14 to C$22 (US$11-US$17).