Key Points:
- Kate Beirness Hosts Again: TSN’s Kate Beirness will host the CFL Awards Gala for the third time.
- Event Details: The gala will be held at Fallsview Casino & Resort in Niagara Falls on November 16.
- A Night of Recognition: Awards will honor outstanding CFL players and include recognition of Canadian football legends.
Get ready for a night of football excellence as the Canadian Football League (CFL) brings back the CFL Awards Gala on Thursday, November 16. Hosting the event for the third time is the beloved TSN personality, Kate Beirness. This year’s gala will take place at the Avalon Theatre within the scenic Fallsview Casino & Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Bringing the CFL Awards to Niagara Falls extends the excitement of the 110th Grey Cup across the region. Tickets for the event are now available, starting at $139 (plus taxes and fees). Fans attending the CFL Awards can enjoy a free shuttle service from downtown Hamilton to Fallsview Casino Resort. For those planning to stay in Niagara Falls during the Grey Cup festivities, hotel accommodations can be booked through the Grey Cup Festival site.
The gala will commence with red-carpet arrivals and a pre-show cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. ET. Doors will open to the public at 6 p.m., followed by the star-studded awards ceremony kicking off at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme, “This is How Legends are Made,” will celebrate the enduring greats of Canadian football and recognize this year’s standout performers, with several CFL legends in attendance.
The evening offers fans the unique opportunity to mingle with the brightest stars of the CFL as the league announces awards for the Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Canadian, Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Most Outstanding Special Teams Player, Most Outstanding Rookie, and Coach of the Year. Finalists from the East and West Divisions for these awards will be unveiled on November 1.
In addition to the player recognitions, Commissioner Randy Ambrosie will present awards for exceptional contributions to Canadian football, including the Commissioner’s Award and the Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award. The Tom Pate Memorial Award, chosen by the CFL Players’ Association, will honor sportsmanship and contributions to the team, community, and association. The Jake Gaudaur Veteran’s Award will recognize the player exemplifying the attributes of Canada’s veterans in various contexts. The Jane Mawby Tribute Award will pay tribute to an invaluable, often unsung, current employee at the club or league level. Furthermore, the recipient of the Glenn “Keeper” McWhinney Scholarship Fund, presented by the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (CFHOF) and Museum, will also be revealed.
Following the CFL Awards Gala, part of the Built in the Hammer Grey Cup Music Festival, an exciting concert at OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino awaits, with details about the headlining act to be announced soon.
The 110th Grey Cup is scheduled to take place at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton on Sunday, November 19, with kickoff at 6 p.m. ET. This grand event, including Green Day’s performance for the Twisted Tea Grey Cup Halftime Show, will be broadcast live on TSN and RDS, reaching audiences across Canada. CFL+ will provide live streaming for viewers outside of Canada, and a limited number of tickets for the game are available at Ticketmaster.
The 2023 Grey Cup Festival, spanning from November 13 to 19, promises over 40 captivating events, appealing to football enthusiasts, music aficionados, and families alike. Many of these events offer free admission and are organized by various community organizations, including Sonic Unyon (Supercrawl), Around the Bay, the Hamilton Santa Claus Parade, and more.
As an integral part of the 2023 Grey Cup Festival, the Built in the Hammer Grey Cup Music Festival from November 16-19 will feature a dynamic lineup of both free and ticketed events, with diverse programming each night. The highlight of this festival will be the performance by Carrie Underwood at FirstOntario Centre on Friday evening. Fan Central on James Street will host live music from Thursday to Saturday, adding to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.
