Touchdown Atlantic & The Riders

It was announced on Thursday that Touchdown Atlantic would be played on July 25th in Halifax and would feature the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts.  We had all suspected this was going to be announced since the CFL schedule came out before the Christmas Holidays.  On a week like many other weeks when nothing at all is going on in the CFL and we are all clamoring for any tidbit of news it was leaked that the this would be announced on Thursday.  Then came the CFL announcement of a press conference for Thursday.

Well, we all knew what it was, right.

Don't get me wrong.  It's terrific for the community in Halifax and terrific for tourism.  It would definitely help promote the idea of the 10th CFL team, the Atlantic Schooners, which we are all wanting to come to fruition except for those who work on city counsels.  

Imagine a Canadian Football League with 10 teams.  There's be no need for that 3rd bye week.  Each team could play each other twice.  There'd be no play off cross over scenario.

*sigh*

A girl can dream.

Anyway, soon after (and because I'm married to an accountant) curiosity got the best of me.  How much would it cost to fly to Halifax?  How much are hotels?  What would the average joe have to pay to attend this game.  After all Rider Nation is touted as being the best traveled fan base in the league.

I've heard mention of some people, podcasters and others, putting together a travel package probably like they do for Grey Cup or Labour Day.  That would really help out with the old pocket book.

I'm also wondering just how much of a turn out they're counting on.  I've seen a few aerial shots of the stadium they're going to use in Halifax and the seating is very limited.  It's going to be expanded by 10,000 seats.  With so few available will this be marketed as THE place to be in July?  

Will there be a point at which Rider Nation says, "nope, it's too rich for me?"

We already buy our jerseys and other merchandise.  We help sell out other stadiums in the league.  Will there be a point at which fans start to push back?  I think we might already be seeing a bit of this as attendance at games is on the decline.

At any rate, we have something exciting to look forward to in July.  I will be watching from my living room where I have the best seat in the house.  

If you like where I'm going with this, then by all means enjoy this video on the same subject.  It's the newly launched ABC Football YouTube page.  You can easily access the page by clicking on the YouTube tab at the top of the page.  Thanks for reading and now, thanks for watching!