From the octagon to the stage. Georges St-Pierre, one of Canada’s all-time greatest athletes, will headline the second annual Island FanCon from March 28-30 at City Centre Park in Langford.
The retired legendary mixed-martial artist, known simply to his legion of fans as GSP, beat out the likes of NBA star Steve Nash of Victoria, hockey superstar Sidney Crosby and baseball star Joey Votto in being named 91原创 athlete of the year by Sportsnet in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2023. St-Pierre, 43, was voted the best pound-for-pound fighter in MMA history in a poll conducted by The Athletic and has gone on to appear in films in the Marvel Universe.
“GSP is simply one of the most renowned cross-over superstars,” said Lonnie Eckardt, founding partner of Island FanCon.
Fans will be able to take part in Q & A, autograph, photo and meet-and-greets sessions with St-Pierre during the 2025 Island FanCon.
Landing St-Pierre is a major coup for the Island event. Eckardt, a Prince George native who graduated from UNBC with a bachelors degree in commerce and Royal Roads University with an MBA, began it last year
“Combat sports are the only sports I follow,” said Eckardt.
“I’ve watched every minute of every UFC card. I’m doing this as much as a fan than as an event promoter.”
One feeds the other. The first Island FanCon last April featured Icelandic strongman and powerlifting superstar Hafþór Björnsson, known as the world’s strongest man and Game of Thrones character The Mountain, with more than 3,000 fans coming through the turnstiles in Langford, and an economic impact in the community of $750,000, according to Eckardt. He said he anticipates 5,000 fans this year and an economic impact of over $1 million.
“I’m always looking for that sports-crossover angle. I love seeing people in the moment and experiencing their fandom,” said Eckardt, who remained on the Island after graduating from Royal Roads nine years ago.
Tickets for 2025 Island FanCon are now available at eventbrite.com or islandfancon.com.
