Touchdown Atlantic to return in 2023 as Argonauts and Roughriders meet in Halifax

HALIFAX – Touchdown Atlantic returns July 29 with a Canadian Football League marquee game.

Reigning Gray Cup champions Toronto Argonauts meet Saskatchewan Roughriders in Halifax. The regular season matchup is scheduled at Huskies Stadium on the Saint Mary’s University campus, kicking off at 5:00 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.

“Touchdown Atlantic brings our fans together in a fun and exciting way,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. “It’s a way of showing our friends in Atlantic Canada that they’re an important part of the CFL family – and inviting our fans across the country to ‘come to the game and take a vacation’.”

Last summer’s Touchdown Atlantic, also played between Saskatchewan and Toronto, sold out in less than 24 hours. More than 10,800 fans attended the game at Raymond Field on the Acadia University campus in Wolfville, NS as the Argonauts defeated the Roughriders 30-24.

The CFL says the July 16 game supported more than $12.7 million in aggregate economic activity in Nova Scotia through job and wage creation, events spending and out-of-town traveler spending.

In a press release, Mayor Mike Savage said he was thrilled to welcome the CFL back to the city.

“Over the past season we have hosted several events that brought our Atlantic hospitality as a sports city back to fans from across the region and across the country,” he explained. “Halifax looks forward to hosting the rematch between the Roughriders and the Argonauts.”

“Having the game in Halifax will allow us to provide the CFL and their fans with an experience that will keep them coming back for more.”

Saint Mary’s University football program is one of the most successful in the country. The Huskies played in nine Vanier Cups and won the Canadian varsity football championship three times (1973, 2001 and 2002).

The university’s Director of Athletics and Recreation said hosting the event was an “incredible opportunity” for the school.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our campus and community, and our soccer program in particular, to experience the excitement of professional soccer,” added Scott Gray.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on December 20, 2022.

The Canadian Press with files from CityNews Halifax