Ottawa to Host Grey Cup for Birthday Celebrations

CFL Commissioner Jeff Orridge, Redblacks ownership Jeff Hunt and Mayor Jim Watson pose with the cup.

The Grey Cup is coming to Ottawa. In an on-field announcement Sunday the CFL officially told fans that the city will be hosting the 2017 Grey Cup.

The game is the newest addition in a lineup of events scheduled in the nation’s capital to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.

Dignitaries including Mayor Jim Watson, Yasir Naqvi and 1976 Grey Cup winning Ottawa Roughrider alumni were on hand for the presentation of the cup at the TD Place.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even took part via video, seen handing off the cup to RCMP officers followed by a chain of the Lumber Joes in a canoe, mascot Big Joe, and Roughriders hero Tony Gabriel carrying the cup to centre field.

CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge was on hand to make the announcement before the Redblacks game. He says because of the 2017 celebrations Ottawa was the perfect choice to hold the game.

“It’s the perfect confluence of circumstances. It’s a great stadium, great environment, great ownership group and certainly the fan base is incredible.”

Watson says this will be a great influx for the city, and he is excited to be hosting the cup again.

“I’ve been hounding the commissioner and his predecessor for the last three years to make sure that we were given due consideration to have the Grey Cup played here in 2017 because obviously that year is pretty special for our city and our country. It’s going to cap off an amazing year of celebrations.”

Jeff Hunt, member of the Redblacks ownership says they will be adding an additional 10,000 seats to accommodate more fans. He also says they are trying to keep younger fans in mind. He wants to make the 2017 Grey Cup the “youngest grey cup ever.”

When it comes to tickets, he says that “we’re going to have to have seats that are accessible for a younger fan audience. We’re going to have to do something on the price of tickets to do something to make it affordable.”

After the announcement, the Ottawa Redblacks went on to lose to the Toronto Argonauts 23-20, in what was only their second loss of the season.

This was quarterback Henry Burris’ first game starting back after missing four games due to an injury in their season opener.

It was a disappointing return for Burris who made 20 completions but was intercepted a couple times and wasn’t able to bring home the win.

This game knocked the Redblacks from first in the East Division, replaced by the Argos who are now 4-2-0.

An OSEG rep says the team still has their sights set on winning the Grey Cup this season but would also enjoy seeing the Redblacks playing in a Grey Cup game at home in Ottawa.

The team plays their next three games at home, facing the Edmonton Eskimos on August 6th.