The Canadian Football League, B.C. Lions and the City of Victoria announced on Wednesday the inaugural Touchdown Pacific game between the B.C. Lions and Ottawa Redblacks will be played on Saturday, August 31, 2024, from the Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, British Columbia.
“This is a special day for Canadian football,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. “Our great game is for all Canadians – it brings us together and it unites us as a country. The Touchdown Series is about opening our game to new fans and new communities, and showing them that the CFL is their league, too.
“From the cheers of the crowd and the impact in the community, to the fun, fast and entertaining action on the field – we can’t wait to deliver the full CFL experience to everyone in Victoria!”
Royal Athletic Park is a multiple stadium that opened in the early 1900s that hosts soccer and baseball games. It seats 10,000 for soccer games and 2,867 for baseball games which can be expanded to 5,200. Currently, the Victoria HarbourCats (WCL) and the Victoria Golden Tide (CCBC) play at the stadium.
As for football, the Victoria Rebels (CJFL) played at Royal Athletic Park from 1985-2008 and the Victoria Steelers (CoFL) in 1967. The season capacity for 2024 Touchdown Pacific will range from 10,00 to 14,000 standing room only.
“As a lifelong fan of the CFL, I am thrilled to welcome Touchdown Pacific to Victoria,” said City of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto. “The passionate fans in our community, combined with our historic natural grass stadium, will make this Labour Day contest a classic football match, and a highlight of the 2024 CFL season, with family-friendly festivities beforehand.”
The CFL has hosted Touchdown Atlantic for eight years including two preseason games dating back to 2005. The Toronto Argonauts hosted the last three Touchdown Atlantic games against the Montreal Alouettes (2019) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2022-23).
The 2023 Touchdown Atlantic game between the Argonauts and Roughriders generated over $10 million in overall economic impact in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
“Through this series of neutral site games, we’re building bridges and helping ensure the future of our game,” said Commissioner Ambrosie. “We’re proud of all we’ve built in Atlantic Canada, and we remain in conversation with a highly engaged and motivated prospective owner in Halifax. That door remains open and that dream is alive.
“Touchdown Pacific was born out of a desire to strengthen the ties between Canadian football and another corner of our amazing country, and we look forward to an incredible event next year!”
Additional details surrounding Touchdown Pacific 2024, including ticketing information, associated community events, and festivities will be announced at a later date.
