The Calgary Stampeder
Football Club and the Canadian Football League are pleased to announce 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-to-coast, 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.