Confirmed: No TD Atlantic this year

Gornaldatron · February 16, 2012, 8:15pm

As the league had indicated, there will be no Touchdown Atlantic this year:

"CBC.ca":

The Canadian Football League will not be holding a third regular season game in Moncton this fall, according to city officials.

The CFL is taking a year off because of the resources it’s putting into celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Grey Cup.

But officials with the City of Moncton say they’re already looking ahead to the 2013 season.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be rebuilding their stadium and Moncton officials hope they will be looking for a place to play.

"We’re optimistic that in 2013 and beyond that we’ll have more games here and I think they are too,? said Paul Thomson, a spokesperson for the city.

“I think they’ve seen what we can do here and the benefits of having a game here and our drawing potential and how we can put our ability to put on events," he said. “I think all that factors into their decision making. And we have a great partnership with them and we look forward to keeping that going.”

Thomson said the CFL games are great for the city’s economy because they bring in millions in economic spin-offs. It has been estimated that the CFL games can generate $4 million in revenue for the southeastern New Brunswick city.

Moncton sold 20,153 tickets to the 2011 game between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Calgary Stampeders.

The game, however, was not completely sold out, unlike the first year it was held in Moncton.

The games are held at the University of Moncton’s outdoor stadium.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2012/02/16/nb-cfl-moncton-1230.html

I’m not sure if I agree with the CFL’s decision not to do one this year. If we’re celebrating Canada’s game with the 100th Grey Cup, shouldn’t we include as much of Canada as possible?

geroy_simon_081 · February 16, 2012, 8:24pm

It comes down to business. Out of the 8 teams, only 2 of them (Hamilton and Toronto) gain additional revenue by playing in Moncton. Both those teams should get their own houses in order before trying to "grow the game" in New-Brunswick.

Hammer · February 16, 2012, 9:00pm

It may or may not be the right move. I'm to understand the deal with Moncton is for 5 games and they've used up 2 of them, so they may be saving three games for next year. Who knows? I do agree though, winning back Southern Ontario is key.

Cool · February 17, 2012, 2:00am

I’d still be trying to play a game in the maratimes… Have to include everyone…

HfxTC · February 17, 2012, 3:16am

Its a good decision, last year was a bit of a harder sell so skipping a year and then maybe marketing a back to back for Hamilton in 2013 might be a good idea.

Ticats85 · February 17, 2012, 3:19am

Its to bad they wont be playing a game this year but i understand that its expensive for temporary seating and hard to take a home game away from someone. They will be back in 2013 with a game maybe 2 :thup: :thup:

HfxTC · February 17, 2012, 3:29am

Back to back makes a lot of economic sense. one round trip flight and do the activities between the two games and you can offer a 2 game package. You get a top notch seat for one game and an end zone seat cheap for the other type thing.

Ticats85 · February 17, 2012, 4:09am

I agree 2 games make sense, last years event was not a sell out but i think alot of people might have been turned off because of the first game with the Argos and Eskimos was not very entertaining it was pretty bad to be honest but last years game was outstanding, hopefully that can bring back some of those who bought tickets the first time but not the second