The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced on Tuesday that the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts will play the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2023 Touchdown Atlantic at Huskies Stadium on the campus of Saint Mary’s University. Kick-off is set for 4 pm EST on Saturday, July 29, 2023.
“There are few, if any, places on the planet I enjoy visiting more than Atlantic Canada. You’ve opened your arms to us in the past and welcomed us like family members and I celebrate your formidable history of embracing others,” said Toronto Argonauts GM Michael Clemons. “We once again are looking forward to your unique hospitality; a combination of warm hearts, down-home music, and some of the most delectable food imaginable. We look forward to being the home team on July 29, and to being the visiting team in the future when the CFL permanently calls Atlantic Canada home.”
The two teams met last year in the 2022 Touchdown Atlantic game at Raymond Field on the campus of Acadia University. The Argonauts beat the Roughriders 30-24. This will be the CFL’s seventh Touchdown Atlantic game in history. This will be Toronto’s fifth time playing in the Touchdown Atlantic, while this will be the Roughriders’ second appearance.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to Halifax after an incredible visit for Touchdown Atlantic in 2022,” said Saskatchewan Roughriders President and CEO Craig Reynolds. “The people of Nova Scotia welcomed us with open arms and it was so special to see how many of our fans traveled thousands of miles to join us. I know I speak for all Rider Nation when I say we can’t wait to go back and share that amazing East Coast experience again in 2023!”
Ticket details for the upcoming 2023 Touchdown Atlantic game will be announced at a later date. Last year’s game sold out in less than 24 hours after tickets went on sale.
“Touchdown Atlantic brings our fans together in a fun and exciting way,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. “It’s our way of showing our friends in Atlantic Canada that they’re an important part of the CFL family – and inviting our fans from across the country to ‘come for the game and stay for a vacation.”
Saint Mary’s University Huskies Stadium is home to the Saint Mary’s Huskies U Sports Football team. The Huskies are two-time Uteck Bowl champions (2003, 2007) and three-time Vanier Cup champions (1973, 2001, 2002). Huskies Stadium holds 2,000 people but the stadium can expand up to 11,000 people. Huskies Stadium hosted the inaugural Touchdown Atlantic game in 2005 between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Toronto Argonauts in a preseason game.
“Saint Mary’s University has a proud tradition of excellence for student-athletes – including in Huskies’ football,” said Saint Mary’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Robert Summerby-Murray. “The opportunity to host the CFL’s Touchdown Atlantic football game in July 2023 is an opportunity to demonstrate this proud tradition to a national audience. We are delighted to partner with the Canadian Football League in this initiative to bring superior athletes to our campus and to Atlantic Canada.”
