The CFL is coming to Victoria next season.
The B.C. Lions will play the Ottawa Redblacks at Royal Athletic Park on Aug. 31.
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie and Lions president Duane Vienneau made the announcement on Wednesday (Nov. 29) at the Victoria Conference Centre.
âWe really want to bring the sport of football and the CFL experience to the community,â Vienneau said.
The East Coast has hosted five CFL âTouchdown Atlanticâ games since 2005.
âItâs just a thrill for us to bring touchdown to another market,â Ambrosie said. âThe 2024 touchdown game will now be rebranded âTouchdown Pacificâ. Its about sharing our game with all Canadians. The B.C. Lions donât belong to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. They belong to the entire province.â
The 2023 âTouchdown Atlanticâ game on the campus of Saint Maryâs University in Halifax generated more than $10 million overall for businesses and communities across the region. The game featured the Saskatchewan ÂRoughriders and Toronto ÂArgonauts on July 29.
âThe economic impact is immense,â Vienneau added. âIt will be a key driver in the community.â
Royal Athletic Park will be expanded to hold approximately 10,000 to 14,000 fans, including standing room.
âThis is an amazing opportunity for Vancouver Island to really become very familiar with the game,â Victoria Mayor and Lions season ticket holder Marianne Alto said. âThe Lions are always a fantastic team. They do belong to all of British Columbia. Weâre going to claim them on Aug. 31. This is gonna be a momentous occasion and an opportunity to build not just the sport, but an amazing series of benefits for the city and the community.â
Ambrosie didnât rule out Victoria possibly getting a CFL team one day.
âYou donât know what happens once you come here,â Ambrosie said. âWho knows? Once you light that fuse, you donât know exactly where it takes you. For now, this is not about a permanent team in Victoria.â
CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie announces that the league is bringing a game to Victoria next season. The will play the Ottawa at Royal Athletic Park on Aug. 31.
â Brendan Mayer (@BrendanMayer)
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers came out on top 24-13 over the Lions in the CFL West Division final on Nov. 11.
The Montreal Alouettes defeated Winnipeg 28-24 in the Grey Cup on Nov. 19.
Vancouver will host the 2024 Grey Cup at BC Place on November 17, 2024.
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