At Commonwealth Stadium Thursday, the Edmonton Eskimos will defend their undefeated streak against arch-rivals, and also undefeated team, the Calgary Stampeders – but the Battle of Alberta might not be the only driving force behind the buzz over the game, that might be the massive 50/50 jackpot.

Back on July 11, the 50/50 jackpot of $71,732 went unclaimed, even after the football team held onto the winnings for a few days after the game.

“If you left the game before it’s announced or if you have your ticket and you don’t know where you put it, it gives you more flexibility,” Edmonton Eskimos President Len Rhodes said. “Most of the time people that win are claiming their prize right at the game.”

The winner of the 50/50 draw has four days after game day to pick up their winnings – much longer than winners selected for the 50/50 jackpot at an Oilers game, where fans have 10 minutes to pick up the winnings.

Rhodes said it’s the first time the team has had a jackpot roll over into the next home game – and he said he believes the jackpot Thursday could surpass $200,000.

That amount would smash the previous 50/50 record of $127,000.

“When you think about the odds, we’re expecting 34,000 to 35,000 people [Thursday],” Rhodes said. “One of those people will win the prize.”

The other half of the money collected during Thursday’s ticket sales will also go to amateur football, and the Edmonton Wildcats is one team set to benefit.

“Not only does it add to the excitement of the game on the field, but it adds another element of excitement, I think it’s good for all,” Edmonton Wildcats President John Wojcicki said.

“The 50/50 support for junior football is more than 50 percent of our budget, without it, we would not exist.”

Sales for 50/50 tickets started at 6 p.m. - and the jackpot quickly climbed past $110,000 in half an hour.

 

 

With files from Veronica Jubinville