Calgary will host the Grey Cup for the first time in seven years this November, with organizers promising a week-long festival featuring concerts, rodeo events, street festivals and activities for football fans and newcomers alike. Organizers unveiled the lineup Wednesday for the 113th Grey Cup Festival, which begins Nov. 11 and will run through Grey Cup Sunday. The festival will include free indoor and outdoor events, along with ticketed concerts each night at the Big Four. Football will remain at the centre of the festivities, with team parties planned for the BMO Centre. The rodeo will also return after a successful run during the 2019 Grey Cup in Calgary. Organizers say two rodeos are planned for the Saturday of Grey Cup week, along with events connected to cheer programs at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Organizers are also hoping the festival will attract people who are not traditional CFL fans. A private citizenship ceremony is planned, along with special events for newcomers as part of an effort to make the festival more inclusive. “One of the things we wanted to do is make this the most inclusive Grey Cup in history,” said Calgary Stampeders president Jay McNeil. “We’ll have (activities) all week aimed at bringing them down here and showing them what a great tradition this is.” Events honouring the Canadian military will also be held, beginning on Remembrance Day. “We’re going to incorporate the Canadian Armed Forces (and) retired military, and really celebrate that and also kick off the celebration of the week,” McNeil said. Tourism Calgary expects the festival to generate significant economic activity for the city, with local businesses expected to benefit from the influx of visitors. Tourism Calgary CEO Alisha Reynolds said the anticipated economic impact of the Grey Cup Festival is about $50 million for small businesses. Reynolds said Calgary’s reputation as a host city helped bring the Grey Cup back despite concerns about the age and amenities of McMahon Stadium. The event is also renewing calls for a new stadium in Calgary. McNeil said he hopes discussions about a new facility will continue before and after the Grey Cup. “This is a community stadium that we need that can have multiple events here,” he said. “Ideally, it’d be covered and be able to host 300 events a year. It’s time we got moving on that, and I hope Grey Cup helps expedite those conversations.” The Grey Cup will be played in Calgary in November, marking the city’s first time hosting the championship game since 2019.
