Thousands of Canadian Tire employees get time off to watch Jays playoff game

Toronto Blue Jays celebrate in the clubhouse after clinching a Wild Card spot in the playoffs following AL MLB action against the Tampa Bay Rays in Toronto on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. (Frank Gunn / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Canadian Tire is giving thousands of employees time off to cheer on Canada's team in the major league baseball playoffs.

It says it's closing its head offices on Friday, so its staff can watch the Blue Jays.

Canadian Tire says 5,000 employees will get the day off because of the closure in Toronto, including the Sport Chek head office, and Mark's Work Wearhouse head office in Calgary.

The Jays open the first two games of the American League divisional series at home tomorrow.