ARGOS HONOUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE WITH 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OCTOBER 4-6
Franchise’s 150th birthday marked on October 4th by growing the game with Argos Cup followed by historic anniversary game on October 6th with special pre-game tailgate and attendance by Argos legends
The Toronto Argonauts have been celebrating the franchise’s 150th anniversary throughout the 2023 season and today announced events for the first week of October, coinciding with the team’s birthday, that will grow the game of football in the province as well as create a historic anniversary game for fans and alumni alike on Friday, October 6 when the Argos host the Edmonton Elks at BMO Field.
On October 4th, the date the team was founded in 1873, the Argos, in cooperation with Football Toronto, will host the Argos Cup, a flag football tournament that will bring together teams from 20 different schools from across the Greater Toronto Area competing for the championship as well as individual skills challenges. Current Argos players, including quarterback Chad Kelly, and alumni will participate in the event throughout the day supporting the participating young athletes.
The Argos Cup is part of the team’s commitment to the continued growth of grassroots football within the community and partnerships with Football Toronto, Football Ontario and Toronto Flag Football that will see the Argos commit $200,000 over the next two years to football development.
“This 150th Anniversary season has been special for many reasons,” said Bill Manning, President of the Toronto Argonauts. “From celebrating the Argos’ incredible and unprecedented history with our fans to creating new memories and accomplishments on the field with this current team as they strive to repeat as Grey Cup Champions, this season has been one of the most exciting in franchise history. We look forward to our anniversary week in October being a chance to reconnect with so many fans who have been touched by the Argos as well as a chance to create new fans.”
Two days later, as the team hosts the Edmonton Elks on Friday, October 6th, the Argos will celebrate the history of the team that has made it the oldest professional sports team in North America still using its original name and the Canadian Football League record-holder for Grey Cup Championships with 18 titles. Fans will be invited to a special pre-game tailgate celebration at the Stanley Barracks, just steps from BMO Field, with legendary Argos alumni including Condredge Holloway, Terry Greer, Ricky Ray and Raghib ‘Rocket’ Ismail. Throughout the game, including a special anniversary halftime event, the team will pay tribute to each decade and welcome back the Argos legends who are synonymous with the Double Blue’s rich history.
“As the oldest professional franchise in North America with the same continuous name, we would like to celebrate this history, and all of the great players who have helped make it the iconic franchise that it is, each and every year, so we will consider the 150th Anniversary celebration in October the beginning of a great new tradition,” said Michael Clemons, General Manager of the Argos and one of the most popular, and accomplished, figures in franchise history. “We look forward to sharing this special celebration with the current team, Argos alumni and fans young and old next month.”
Throughout the 2023 season, kicked off with a 150th Anniversary media conference in May at the Argonaut Rowing Club, the original founders of the team, the Argos celebrated its 150th Anniversary with a countdown of the Top 150 moments in franchise history and in-game tributes with key alumni.
Tickets for the 150th Anniversary game on October 6th against Edmonton are available by visiting argonauts.ca/tickets. Updates for the Anniversary week celebrations can also be found at argonauts.ca.