Moncton to host 2019 edition of Touchdown Atlantic

MONCTON, NB –Schooners Sports and Entertainment (SSE) and the Canadian Football League (CFL) announced on Friday that the 2019 edition of Touchdown Atlantic will be played on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at the Stade Croix-Bleue Medavie Stadium, located on the grounds of Université de Moncton.

The Toronto Argonauts will host the Montréal Alouettes in the first CFL regular season game down east since 2013, and the first presented by the Atlantic Schooners, who are working to become the CFL’s tenth team.

‘’From the very beginning, the major objective of our group has been to make the Atlantic Schooners a regional team and bringing this game to Moncton helps us achieve that,” said Anthony LeBlanc, founding partner of SSE. “It would not have been possible without the support of the City of Moncton and the Government of New Brunswick, and the great work of the CFL, the Toronto Argonauts and the Montréal Alouettes. We continue to work hard behind the scenes to offer football fans what will be a great experience, so stay tuned as more information about the game will be available shortly. You won’t want to miss it.’’

Tickets will go on sale to the public on April 15 on Ticketmaster.ca starting as low as $65. Fans that have already made a deposit for season tickets with the Schooners will enjoy an exclusive pre-sale opportunity starting April 8 to secure their seats for the August 25 game.

Fans are also invited to subscribe to the Schooners newsletter on the new Schooners.ca to receive all the latest information about the team and important reminders about the Touchdown Atlantic game. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter and Facebook.

“Canadian football belongs in Atlantic Canada,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. “Anthony and his partners Bruce Bowser and Gary Drummond and their team are working hard to realize the dream of a tenth CFL team, and this Touchdown Atlantic game is an opportunity to share our unique, exciting game and our incredible athletes with fans in Atlantic Canada. I can’t wait for game day, and I know fans will have an amazing experience.”

“The Touchdown Atlantic series has inspired our young athletes, attracted visitors and generated major economic benefits for our communities, while also helping to establish Metro Moncton as one of Atlantic Canada’s leading destination for sports and entertainment,” said Ernie Steeves, New Brunswick’s Minister of Finance and MLA representing Moncton Northwest. “Our province is looking forward to host what will be another signature event that we can all be proud of.’’

“We are excited to be the host city of Touchdown Atlantic for the fourth time. We are pleased to welcome two teams, the Argonauts and the Alouettes, who have already experienced our legendary hospitality,” said Mayor Dawn Arnold. “Moncton showed it was a great football city in the past, and we are looking forward to again displaying our passion for the game in August. It’s going to be a great time.’’

The Argos played in the inaugural Touchdown Atlantic game in 2005. The preseason tilt, played in Halifax at Huskies Stadium, ended in a 16-16 tie against their long-time rivals, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Toronto was also part of the first of three regular season games played in Moncton in 2010, 2011 and 2013.

“The Argos are thrilled to be returning to Moncton to take part in the Touchdown Atlantic series with Montreal,” said Bill Manning, President of the Toronto Argonauts. “Growing the game of Canadian football from coast to coast is an initiative we fully support, and we are excited to have the Double Blue faithful in Atlantic Canada to enjoy some east coast hospitality and cheer on the Argos!”

“We are delighted to return to Moncton where we had played a game in 2013,” said Patrick Boivin, President and CEO of the Montreal Alouettes. We have always said that we are in favor of adding a 10th team to our league, and we are happy to support the CFL’s presence in Atlantic Canada with this game in Moncton. Some of our supporters will be able to make the trip with us via our Fan Plane.”

The Alouettes were the visitors in 2013 against the Tiger-Cats. Hamilton rallied for the comeback 28-26 victory by outscoring Montreal 15-7 in the fourth quarter in a game where fans saw a fake field goal pass for a touchdown and the pro debut of Truro, N.S. native Brett Lauther. The former Saint Mary’s Huskies kicker was perfect on four field goal attempts. Lauther is currently a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.