The Calgary Stampeder Football Club and the Canadian Football League are pleased to announce today that the 97th Grey Cup championship game will be played November 29, 2009 at McMahon Stadium. The official announcement was made in Calgary where Stampeders President Scott Ackles and CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon unveiled the Grey Cup logo.
“As Canadians, we all understand the significance of the Grey Cup,” said Ackles. “It’s an honour to host the event, so we’re excited about the impact it will have on our football club, our fans, our community, our province and the development of amateur football in Calgary. When you look at the history of this city and the Grey Cup, I’m confident 2009 will be a classic championship and outstanding festival.”
In making the announcement, Cohon acknowledged the importance of Canadian football in Calgary and the special place Calgarians hold in Grey Cup history.
“The Grey Cup is the ultimate celebration of our league and our country and what the two mean to each other,” said Cohon. “And that makes the city of Calgary the perfect host. After all, it was Calgarians who first turned the game into a festival 60 years ago, when they came to Toronto and painted the town Stampeder red. I have every confidence they will help us all write a joyous, new chapter in our history come 2009.” Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier and Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach strongly support the event and were on hand for the announcement.
“We are proud to host the 2009 Grey Cup,” said Mayor Bronconnier. “Nobody throws a Grey Cup party like Calgary and we are inviting Canadian football fans to come join us for the celebration in November 2009.”
“The Alberta government is proud to help bring the Grey Cup to Calgary in 2009,” said Premier Stelmach. “This event is an opportunity for Abertans to come together to celebrate a long standing tradition, while also showcasing Calgary, and our province, on the national stage.”
The Grey Cup has evolved into much more than just a football game and Ackles today introduced Malcolm Kirk, Publisher of the Calgary Herald, as the 2009 Calgary Grey Cup Championship and Festival Chairman. Kirk then introduced Greg Albrecht as the Festival President.
“Calgary is a high-energy, fun-loving city and its people proud, generous and incredibly hospitable,” said Kirk. “We are looking forward to staging a spectacular festival for the community and visitors from across Canada.”
Calgary last hosted the CFL championship on November 26, 2000 when the B.C. Lions defeated the Montreal Alouettes. The 1975 and 1993 Grey Cups also were contested at McMahon Stadium.
The Grey Cup is Canada’s largest professional sporting event. Celebrated coast-tocoast, it annually attracts one of the largest broadcast audiences on Canadian television. The Grey Cup has averaged 3.9 million viewers per game over the last six seasons. The 2009 Grey Cup will be televised on TSN and RDS.
For media requests, please contact:
Michael Petrie
Director, Community and Media Relations
Calgary Stampeders
403.205.8236
mpetrie@Stampeders.com
Mitch Bayliss
Coordinator, Community and Media Relations
Calgary Stampeders
403.284.6441
mbayliss@Stampeders.com
Jamie Dykstra
Manager, Communications
Canadian Football League
416-865-2664