Touchdown Atlantic will bring the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders to Huskies Stadium on Saturday, July 29! This exciting event is expected to draw more than 10,000 people to campus to enjoy the game and pre-game festivities, and viewers across the nation will tune in for the televised game.
The Saint Mary’s organizing team has been working diligently with the CFL and other partners to ensure a safe, enjoyable and smooth-run event.
Here’s what to expect on campus on July 28 and 29:
Friday, July 28
Media load-in/out: Two TSN semi-trucks will park in the Homburg Lot at approximately 10 a.m. on Friday, July 28. They will travel via Gorsebrook Avenue into the Rice Lot and through to the Homburg Lot. The vehicles will leave by the same route on Sunday, July 30.
A Youth Football Clinic will run from noon–2 p.m. at Huskies Stadium.
Saturday, July 29
Pre-game entertainment and food trucks from 1:30–4:30 p.m.
A flyover from a Canadian Armed Forces plane is planned for approximately 5:02–5:06 p.m.
The game will run from 5–8:30 p.m. Any delays (e.g. due to weather) could extend this running time.
Touchdown Atlantic event map. Click image to open online.
Security presence
There will be security overseeing access to campus for the event, with security and police personnel at various entry points. Please refer to the event map to see which parts of campus will be closed off for the event (Gates 1-4).
If you need to come to campus on Saturday, July 29, please complete this form so the organizing team can assist if needed.
Access to stadium grounds
Accreditation will be required on Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29 to access the fenced-in stadium grounds.
Access to the stadium grounds for all, including volunteers, accredited pass holders and ticket holders, will be restricted to the four designated gates as indicated on the event map.
Anyone entering the stadium grounds is subject to security screening before entering the designated gates (e.g. metal detector wand and bag check).
If you are not a ticket holder and require access to the fenced area, you will need a Touchdown Atlantic credential. Please reach out to your department lead to inquire or email greg.knight@smu.ca.
SMUfit facilities
SMUfit facilities will be closed to the public from Friday, July 28 until Sunday, July 30. Re-opening on Monday, July 31 at 6 a.m.
Parking
Campus parking lots will be closed on Friday, July 28 at 9 p.m. and re-open Sunday, July 30 at 9 a.m.
Permit holders for the underground parking lot are to be advised that access to this lot will be very challenging between noon and 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, due to pedestrian traffic.
Rice Residence parking lot will be open for residence permit holders and conference overnight accommodations guests only.
Vehicles parked on campus without a CFL event pass may be towed.
Public/guest Wi-Fi
SMU-Guest Wi-Fi will be deactivated on Saturday, July 29 and will be re-enabled on Sunday, July 30.
Increased activity and noise
Traffic in and around campus will be very heavy, and there will be increased noise and activity.
Increased light levels
Due to broadcast/set-up requirements, lighting levels on the football field will be brighter (Level 2 – varsity game lights) and on until 12:05 a.m. on July 29 and 30.
If you have any questions about the event and the above details, please contact Greg Knight (greg.knight@smu.ca) or Janelle McNulty (janelle.mcnulty@smu.ca) for assistance.
For more details about Touchdown Atlantic (e.g. additional game-day transit service information), please visit www.cfl.ca/tda23.
Volunteer opportunities are still available for game day, if interested, please register here.