CFL B.C. Lions

Lions Open 2013 Home Schedule Versus Grey Cup Champs

Published on March 5, 2013 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
B.C. Lions News Release


(Vancouver) With less than 100 days separating the BC Lions from training camp, the club announced today that their 2013 home opener will come versus the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday, July 4th (7:00 pm) as the CFL released its full schedule this morning.

The tilt versus the reigning Grey Cup champs will also have historic significance as it marks the club's 1000th regular season game as well as its 500th home game, both coming in the Lions' 60th season.

"After getting some great feedback from our fans this past offseason, we believe they will find the 2013 schedule very attractive," said Lions president and CEO Dennis Skulsky.

The Lions will play six of their nine home dates on Friday and Saturday nights in 2013 while also hosting a Sunday afternoon tilt and a holiday Monday game in addition to the Thursday night home opener.

"We set out to achieve an overall consistency for our fans while also taking on some unique dates such as the Sunday afternoon game and this year's holiday Monday tilt," added Skulsky. "I can't think of a better way to celebrate BC Day than to spend it with family and the Pride of All BC."

With home field advantage increasingly important as the season progresses, the Lions will play three of their final five regular season games at home, all against the West Division and all on Friday nights.

"Having a schedule in place brings added excitement to our preparation," said Lions head coach Mike Benevides. "Possibly facing Mike Reilly as the quarterback in Edmonton, seeing Geroy Simon in Saskatchewan and our deepening rivalry with Calgary will make divisional games huge battles."

Overall, the Lions face division rival Edmonton twice (Saturday, July 20th and Friday, October 25th) as well as the Calgary Stampeders (Saturday, August 17th and Friday, November 1st). The Saskatchewan Roughriders visit BC on Friday, October 4th.

In August, the Lions will take on two East Division foes as Winnipeg makes the trip west on Monday, August 5th (4:00 pm) and Hamilton travels to Vancouver on Friday the 30th. Montreal makes its only visit on Sunday, September 15 (1:30 pm).

"In the East Division, you've got veteran quarterbacks and tough defenses to contend with so every game will be a challenge," added Benevides.

BC Lions Training Camp begins on Sunday, June 2nd in Kamloops and the club will get things rolling with a preseason game versus the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday, June 21.

Check out the B.C. Lions Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Canadian Football League Stories from March 5, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central