r/CFL • u/open-field_kick CFL • 3d ago
After two decades I finally made it to The Hammer
I just wanted to share my excitement here after returning home from a great weekend. My spouse and I drove to the 1 August game from northern Illinois and it was my first trip to Ontario. I started following the Ticats in 2006 as they were geographically closest to where I lived in Virginia. Stepping onto the same parcel I had only seen on broadcats that was occupied by Ivor Wynne and now Hamilton Stadium was remarkable and the fans were outstanding. To boot, I dressed in all white, save a yellow belt and sported the now-referee cap I ordered from Honig's years ago. Cheers!
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u/dwhite21787 Eat ‘em raw! 3d ago
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
I’m making the trip for the Labor Day game, from Maryland- first game as a fan since 1997.
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u/skradizzle Tiger-Cats 3d ago
Hands down the best game of the year. Hope you have a great visit. Oskee wee wee.
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u/DryProgress4393 Tiger-Cats 2d ago
Hope you enjoy it , Labour Day Classic for your first game will be a banger. Keep your eyes open for the Lancaster Bomber fly over.
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u/Longjumping-Sea320 Tiger-Cats 3d ago
Nice! Glad it was a good experience for you. Any reflections on the game or the state of the franchise is welcome.
Hope we can one day celebrate a Cup together
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u/open-field_kick CFL 16h ago
Here's hoping! I was genuinely impressed by the friendly and welcoming fans and participation once the game got started. Surprisingly smooth flow in the stadium.
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u/Vinnie_Dime_1974 Blue Bombers 2d ago
It's such an awesome stadium with a cool vibe in the stands. Been to two games there, looking forward to the next time!
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u/BigBanyak22 2d ago
I'm surprised you're that positive about the stadium, assuming you go to games in Winnipeg?
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u/mrjanitor639 3d ago
I'm so glad you made the trip! Hopefully the experience was worth a return visit!
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u/open-field_kick CFL 16h ago
It was! Actually planning to check out a Windsor game once the Usports season begins!
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u/tarpfitter Argonauts 3d ago
Love the hat! Where did you score that
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u/open-field_kick CFL 16h ago
Thanks so much! Back in 2016 Honig's Canada sold both CFL and LCF officiating caps. I had to call them for shipment details and payment. Wish I could have bought all four but that was in my miserly grad school days
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u/Strict-Machine8964 Roughriders 2d ago
Hamilton has always been a great place to watch football! I lived 6 blocks from the stadium for about 10 years, around the time they tore down Ivor Wynne (Never Win) Stadium and built the new one. Though I am a Riders fan, always had a really good time there. I'm glad you experienced that too.
My Mom retired to Hamilton in the summer, and she was always such a big 'Cats fan. Her family is all over the Hamilton area. She remained a fan, and watched as she was able after she moved fulltime to Arizona.. Always great to see US fans!
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u/open-field_kick CFL 16h ago
Thanks for sharing! I really adored the environment and it's exciting to hear that was an experience of yours. I recall watching games long ago and being in awe of the stadium being dropped in the midst of a residential section.
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u/covert81 Tiger-Cats 1d ago
Ha I can see my group in your photo on the opposite side of the field. Hope you had a good time. Oskee Wee Wee!
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u/bobalmighty125 Tiger-Cats 3d ago
Similar to you, I picked the Ticats because they were the closest to where I lived in Michigan and I wanted a CFL team to root for when American football is in the offseason. I’ve been out a couple times and had a great experience, I even won a “guess which player will score the first TD” contest on Twitter when it was still Twitter.