Going to an Edmonton Elks game this season? Here's what you need to know
After nearly two years, Edmonton's CFL franchise is back at Commonwealth stadium and some things have changed — not just its name.
The Edmonton Elks will host the Ottawa RedBlacks on Saturday at 8 p.m. MST for Commonwealth Stadium's first event in 21 months, according to the City of Edmonton.
"We are thrilled to see the stadium reopen to the public and the return of CFL football and other large-scale events. It’s been a long time coming," said Heather Seutter, director of Commonwealth Stadium. "The health and safety of fans, players and staff is our priority and we will be implementing a number of new practices and policies as football season returns this weekend."
HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES
Commonwealth Stadium will operate at full capacity and masks won't be required, but the city "highly" recommends them.
Instead, the City of Edmonton and the Elks will largely try to eliminate physical contact by offering touchless hand sanitizer and bathroom amenities, and mobile tickets only.
Cashless transactions are encouraged, and there won't be condiment tables or buffets. Packaged condiments will be given out instead.
Also, guests who leave the stadium can't go back in; smoking will only be allowed in designated area; and 50/50 tickets will be sold online.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Edmonton Transit Service is adding extra busses to its Park & Ride locations on Saturday and Aug. 14 as trains will only run every 15 minutes due to redevelopment work at the Stadium LRT Station.
For a full list of Park & Ride locations, click here.
Fans with tickets to the football game can ride ETS two hours before, during, and two hours after the event ends.
MOBILE VACCINATION CLINIC
The Edmonton Elks partnered with the Industry for Vaccination Alberta Coalition to offer COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday.
"Football is back, but the drive to end COVID-19 is still in the fourth quarter," the Elks said in a release.
For more game day information, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.