The Canadian Football League has partnered with athlete empowerment brand UNINTERRUPTED Canada, as well as Bell Media and OK Tire, to produce a new feature documentary, RIVALRIES: THE QEW SERIES, chronicling the longstanding rivalry between the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The documentary was teased on Twitter last week, with official details being released by the league on Thursday.
Just Announced: “RIVALRIES: THE QEW SERIES” – an all-access documentary exploring the historical to modern day rivalry between the @TorontoArgos & @Ticats
In partnership with the @CFL, Bell Media & Blackhawk Tire / @oktire
Coming this Fall to @TSN_Sports & @CraveCanada pic.twitter.com/UavgJg0MUO
— UNINTERRUPTED Canada 🇨🇦 (@UNCanada) August 11, 2022
The Argos and Ticats have one of the most storied competitive histories in the CFL and North American sports. The two southern Ontario clubs’ annual clash — the Labour Day Classic — dates back to the 1950s and has become destination viewing for Canadian sports fans, making it one of the longest-standing rivalries in pro football history.
UNINTERRUPTED Canada will produce an all-access feature documentary along with exclusive, behind-the-scenes social media moments, tracing both teams’ journey to their annual September showdown in 2022. The documentary will present the teams’ up-and-coming and veteran stars and introduce them to a new generation of fans, while contextualizing the historical tension between the clubs.
“The fierce and bitter tradition between the Argos and the Ticats has been handed down from generation to generation. We’re thankful to the CFL and both franchises for allowing us inside their front offices and locker rooms to showcase the many engaging personalities and the emotional journey that culminates each year with the Labour Day Classic,” UNINTERRUPTED CEO Scott Moore said in a statement.
RIVALRIES: THE QEW SERIES will shine the spotlight on the compelling personal stories of Toronto Argonauts quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and linebacker Henoc Muamba, and their respective Hamilton Tiger-Cats counterparts, Dane Evans and Simoni Lawrence.
The film will also pay homage to the fans and their devotion to their respective teams, while highlighting the unique passion of diehard supporters in southern Ontario.
“OK Tire Labour Day Weekend is a CFL holiday tradition and we’re thrilled to present a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at this storied matchup between the Argos and the Ticats. Intense rivalries and the inspiring stories of our players are at the heart of our league, and our incredible fans are the lifeblood that spreads the passion that the CFL is known for,” said commissioner Randy Ambrosie. “We’re excited to share this next chapter of the Labour Day Classic with new fans, while celebrating all those who have helped build this rivalry for generations.”
The hour-long film is set to premiere in Fall 2022, available exclusively to viewers across Canada on TSN.