When and where to check out Calgary Grey Cup team parties
CFL fans across Canada are colliding in Calgary this week.
The 113th Grey Cup between the Edmonton Elks and Montreal Alouettes is set for this Sunday. While fans of both teams are sure to pack the stadium, the party isn’t limited to just those two fan bases.
As is tradition at the Grey Cup Festivals, fans of all CFL teams will get together to host themed parties ahead of the big game. This year, the FanDuel Team Parties will help bring about that Grey Cup spirit with six different parties that will span across Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
It’s described as the “ultimate indoor pub crawl” that will allow fans to travel between team party rooms to experience each team’s distinct atmosphere. The only team without a specific theme is the Montreal Alouettes.
These will not be a free event, with ticket pricing coming in a variety of different options, including:
- Team Party Pass (3-day): $110
- Team Party Pass (Thursday): $49
- Team Party Pass (Friday): $59
- Team Party Pass (Saturday): $65
The parties will kick off at the BMO Centre on Thursday and run on Friday and Saturday as well.Ā Each themed party, however, will be held at a different hall at the centre.
Here are all the details you need to know for each party…
Spirit of Edmonton
Edmonton Elks Football Club/Facebook
Team: Edmonton Elks
The Elks enter the Grey Cup looking to complete their fairy-tale season with a championship.
Edmonton finished dead last in the West Division last season, and now have a chance to become Grey Cup champions. This party is sure to be one of the rowdier ones, as the Elks faithful will surely be well-represented in Calgary.
The Spirit of Edmonton party will take place in Hall D and kick off on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. On Friday, the hours will change to 12 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., while Saturday’s will run from 2 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. for the final day.
Stamps House
Perry Nelson/USA TODAY Sports
Team: Calgary Stampeders
The hosts may not be playing in the Grey Cup, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have some fun.
The Calgary Stampeders failed to qualify for the CFL playoffs with a 9-9 record, and are hosting the Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium for the sixth time. The pressure is on for the locals to show just how good of hosts they can be.
Stamps House will be set up in Hall B and will kick off the party on Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., while Friday and Saturday’s parties will run from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Riderville
Saskatchewan Roughriders/Facebook
Team: Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have a reputation to live up to.
Often cited as one of the most passionate fanbases in the CFL, Rider Nation will be looking to bring the house down at the Grey Cup Festival. The team bowed out in the West Semi-Final against the BC Lions, but they are the reigning champs.
Riderville will take place in Hall E and kick off on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., with both Friday and Saturday extending those hours to noon to 1:30 a.m.
Lion’s Den
Simon Fearn/USA TODAY Sports
Team: BC Lions
The Lions faithful nearly got a taste of playing in this year’s Grey Cup, but they’ll have to settle for a party instead.
BC dropped a tightly fought West Final to the Elks last week in Edmonton, which saw their Grey Cup drought hit 14 seasons. It may not be the outcome they wanted, but this party should showcase the best that Canada’s West Coast has to offer.
The Lion’s Den will set up in Hall C, with the party getting started on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and both Friday and Saturday running from noon to 1:30 a.m. as well.
Touchdown Manitoba
John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images
Team: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg has been a mainstay in recent Grey Cups, but they’ll be on the sidelines for this one.
The Blue Bombers’ run came to an end in the East Final against the Alouettes last week. This is the second-straight season Winnipeg will miss the Grey Cup after five-straight appearances between 2019 and 2024.
Touchdown Manitoba will be in Hall F and will kick off Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., while Friday and Saturday go from noon to 1:30 a.m. Fans can also expect live entertainment each night from DJ Aaron as well as the Chris LeBlanc Band and Crystal McGrath Band.
East Coast Central
John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images
Teams: Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ottawa Redblacks, and Atlantic Schooners
One of the more unique parties taking place at the BMO Centre is East Coast Central.
Unlike the rest, this party will encompass multiple fan bases from the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Ottawa Redblacks. Even the Atlantic Schooners, a conditional CFL team that never played a game, will be represented.
The Eastern Social Hall & Atlantic Schooners East Coast Kitchen Party will rock out in the Palomino Room on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and on Friday and Saturday from noon to 1:30 a.m.