2015 Season Kicks off Friday at McMahon
June 25, 2015 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Calgary Stampeders News Release
A rematch of last year's Grey Cup will kick off the 70th regular season in Calgary Stampeders history as the Stamps play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night at McMahon Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
It's the third time the Stampeders have opened the defence of a Grey Cup championship by facing their opponent from the previous season's championship game. Following their 1992 title, the Stamps faced Winnipeg in the 1993 season-opener and Calgary followed up its 2008 Grey Cup by facing East Division champ Montreal in the first game of the 2009 campaign.
In addition to the 20-16 Grey Cup victory over the Ticats on Nov. 30 at Vancouver's BC Place, the Stamps beat Hamilton twice in regular-season play a year ago - 10-7 at McMahon on July 18 and 30-20 in Hamilton on Aug. 16. The Stamps have won 10 straight home games against the Ticats with the most recent Hamilton victory at McMahon dating back to July 4, 2004.
Both teams were undefeated during pre-season play as Calgary recorded wins of 20-6 against BC and 37-29 against Saskatchewan while Hamilton downed Ottawa 37-10 and Winnipeg 26-15.
Just before kicking off the 2015 season, there will be one last nod to 2014 and the Year of the Horse. Representatives from each of the Stamps' previous Grey Cup championship teams - 1948, 1971, 1992, 1998, 2001 and 2008 - will be introduced before a brief ceremony to commemorate the 2014 title.
There will also be a memorial tribute to Wayne Harris, the legendary Stamps alumnus who passed away earlier this month.
50/50 jackpot starts at more than $100,000
Fans attending the contest will have an opportunity to take home a bundle of cash.
Due to an unclaimed 50/50 prize from the Stamps' Oct. 24, 2014, home game against the Roughriders - the potential winner had 30 days to claim the prize - the amount carries over to Friday's game and the total pot will begin at $101,670. That amount will grow with every ticket sold.
Tickets can be purchased throughout McMahon Stadium from the moment the gates open to the conclusion of halftime with 50 per cent of the funds going to amateur football through the Stampeders Foundation.
Dodge Fan Zone
The pre-game activity starts three hours prior to kickoff at 4 p.m. in the Dodge Fan Zone, located in the South Practice Field at McMahon Stadium. The event is free to attend with a game ticket.
Dodge Fan Zone attractions include:
Stampeders and Dinos player autographs
A live DJ
Stamps photo booth with free printouts
Face painting
Balloon animals
Partner games and giveaways
Opportunity to enter Dodge's King of the Field contest and a chance to win a Ram 1500 truck
YYC food trucks
Lemonade and ice cream stands
Bouncy castles and inflatables
Outriders dance team
Ralph the Dog
Be sure to also check out the Co-op booth in the Dodge Fan Zone as they officially launch their Calgary Stampeder Bo Levi Shake 'N Bacon Chips as part of the 2015 Game Day Approved products. The Game Day Approved partnership provides a portion of sales to the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.
Partner for Life
The Stampeders are pleased to partner with Canadian Blood Services to encourage fans to give blood and save lives this summer. As a Partner for Life organization, the team is committed to spreading the word about the importance of blood donations this year and fans can help by booking an appointment today to give blood this summer. Watch for Canadian Blood Services at Friday's game to find out where to donate, ask questions and book an appointment.
Canadian Football League Stories from June 25, 2015
- Argonauts Ready for 2015 Challenge - Toronto Argonauts
- CFL Season Kicks off Tonight - CFL
- Argos WR Kevin Elliott High on Confidence - Toronto Argonauts
- 2015 Season Kicks off Friday at McMahon - Calgary Stampeders
- Maleki Harris Added to Practice Roster - Calgary Stampeders
- CFL Officials Ink New Four-Year Deal - CFL
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