Touchdown Pacific Set to Transform Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park for CFL Game

Touchdown Pacific is preparing for a Labour Day weekend filled with festivities and a professional football match. This event, taking place at Royal Athletic Park on August 31, features a matchup between two Canadian Football League (CFL) teams.

In a significant effort, Royal Athletic Park is being transformed into a CFL-standard stadium for this unique occasion, as it usually serves as a baseball venue during the summer months. One of the critical challenges has been the conversion of the park’s baseball diamond into a suitable football field. To prepare the surface for professional football, new sod has been laid over the existing clay infield.

In addition to the field, preparations are being made to increase the venue’s capacity from approximately 3,500 spectators to 14,000 fans for Touchdown Pacific. This will be achieved through the installation of a temporary grandstand that will accommodate an additional 6,400 spectators. Moreover, the venue will be equipped with a variety of temporary facilities, including press boxes, camera towers, and a large LED scoreboard—ranked as the second-largest in British Columbia.

Jordan Dowler, the Manager of Game Presentation & Events for the BC Lions, indicates that the scale of this event resembles that of a “mini Grey Cup.” TSN, the event’s broadcaster, will utilize 18 cameras to ensure comprehensive coverage of the game, marking it as the largest football broadcast outside of the Grey Cup. This substantial production setup includes specialized trucks and cabling to guarantee a seamless viewing experience for fans at home.

The groundwork for Touchdown Pacific commenced well ahead of the public announcement last November. Preparations intensified starting in January, with physical alterations to the park beginning weeks ago, including laying down sod and installing goalposts. Dowler emphasizes the importance of these efforts in providing a memorable experience for Canadian football fans.

<p“Our goal with Touchdown Pacific is to bring a major CFL game to Victoria and create an unforgettable experience for our fans. It’s about celebrating Canadian football, showcasing our city, and engaging the community in a way that highlights both the sport and the vibrant spirit of Victoria,” Dowler explains.

The festivities leading up to the game will kick off on August 29 with an open practice session at a venue in Langford. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., fans can witness the BC Lions in their preparations for the upcoming game, offering a rare opportunity to engage with professional football.

This celebration will continue with a two-day festival at a location in Victoria’s Inner Harbour on August 29 and 30. Running from noon to 7 p.m. each day, the festival will feature live music, food, and family-friendly activities in the backdrop of Victoria’s scenic waterfront.

<p"For fans unable to attend the game, the BC Lions Backyard Watch Party, presented by PlayNow Sports, provides an exciting alternative. This ticketed event, located next to Royal Athletic Park at Central Park, will allow attendees to watch the game on a big screen while enjoying food, drinks, and entertainment. The watch party is set to commence at 12 p.m. on August 31, ensuring that everyone can partake in the excitement.

As the city of Victoria prepares for its inaugural CFL game, Touchdown Pacific aims to extend the excitement beyond the field, encouraging community involvement and engagement.