The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have been named hosts for the 2023 Grey Cup in addition to the 108th edition this December.
“We’re looking forward to hosting a thrilling championship caliber game day experience at a full capacity Tim Hortons Field in less than two months,” Ticats owner Bob Young in a statement.
“We are grateful to the CFL board of governors, the Province of Ontario and the City of Hamilton for their support in providing Hamilton the opportunity to host two Grey Cup games in the span of three seasons.”
“Hamilton hasn’t hosted the Grey Cup in 25 years and the League recognized that Tiger-Cats fans and Hamiltonians deserve the opportunity to host the full Grey Cup Festival experience in our city as originally intended, before the pandemic, without the lingering public health restrictions and limitations.”
“We have worked very closely with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and their fellow teams across the country on this plan. It’s exciting, responsible and fair,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement.
“It delivers an exciting and complete championship game day experience for this year’s Grey Cup game, it responsibly modifies our plan for Grey Cup Week this year due to circumstances beyond our control, and it’s only fair to award another Grey Cup to Hamilton in 2023, so Hamilton gets an opportunity down the road to fully realize its bold and ambitious plans for hosting Grey Cup.”
The 108th Grey Cup game scheduled for December 12 is expected to feature a full capacity Tim Hortons Field with every fan fully vaccinated. Capacity is set at 24,000 and no temporary seating will be added. Tickets go on sale next week for season ticket holders across the league, followed by the sale to the general public starting October 26. Tiger-Cat season ticket holders already have access to Grey Cup tickets.
The plans for Grey Cup Week this year are being modified due to limitations caused by the lingering effects of COVID-19 restrictions, which have greatly impacted the planning and operations of events over the last 18 months.
With just under two months remaining until the 108th Grey Cup, the modifications are necessary, but the spirit of Grey Cup will be alive and well in Hamilton this December, with tons of fun to be had at local bars and restaurants.
And there will still be traditional events that support the game, including the Grey Cup arrival, CFL Awards, head coaches press conference, and the commissioner’s state of the league. Plans for a major concert series and other large scale fan events have been put aside, as Ontario still has capacity restrictions for non-seated, general admission indoor events.
More details on the plan for this year’s Grey Cup in Hamilton, including the unveiling of the pre-game and half-time entertainment, will be unveiled in the next few weeks.
