Panda Game to be held on a Sunday for 3rd straight season

The 2024 Panda Game on Oct. 6, 2024. (Katelyn Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)

The Panda Game will be held on a Sunday in October for a third straight season, after the schools moved the game from Saturday following post-game incidents in 2021 and 2022.

The new Ontario University Athletics schedule shows the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Carleton Ravens will meet in the annual rivalry football game on Sunday, Oct. 5. The game has traditionally been played at TD Place.

The Gee-Gees have won six straight Panda Games against the Carleton Ravens, including a 35-32 win over the Ravens last season.

• ‘No significant incidents’ reported following Panda Game in Ottawa

The annual football game has been played on a Sunday the past two seasons following post-game incidents in 2021 and 2022 when the game was played on a Saturday.

In 2021, thousands of students gathered on the streets in Sandy Hill, with a car flipped onto its roof. In 2022, seven people were arrested and dozens of tickets were issued after a street party in Sandy Hill following the football game.

Last year, the University of Ottawa hosted both a pre-game and post-Panda Game party for students.

Police reported no “significant incidents” following the Panda Game last October, with no arrests reported.

Ottawa Bylaw Services says a $490 ticket was issued for excessive noise during Panda Game weekend.