Five Games Every Ticats Fan Should Mark On Their Calendar

 
The wait is finally over!
The CFL 2017 schedule was released on Tuesday, revealing no shortage of exciting Ticats matchups for the Black and Gold faithful to look forward to this year. From playoff rematches to renewed rivalries, here are five games every Ticats fan should circle on their 2017 calendar.

Week 3 at Saskatchewan Roughriders – July 8 at 10 p.m.

The anticipation around New Mosaic Stadium has been building since it was announced back in 2012 that a new home for the Saskatchewan Roughriders was in the works. The Ticats will have a chance to break in the Riders new digs in Week 3 in just the second regular season game to be played at the new field. Hamilton also has an early Week 2 bye, meaning they’ll be well rested for their date with the Riders. Matchups against Saskatchewan have become even more heated since All-Star defensive lineman John Chick signed with the Tabbies as a free agent last year. Chick donned the Green and White for six years and won a Grey Cup with the team in 2007 and 2013. Big John made a big statement in the Ticats two games against the Riders last season, racking up six tackle and three sacks.
It’s one of the later starts of the season for the Ticats with kickoff scheduled for 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, but definitely worth staying up for.
 

Week 4 vs. BC Lions – July 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Brace yourselves for a catfight.
After two games on the road and an early bye week, Hamilton is set to play their home opener on July 15 at Tim Hortons Field against the BC Lions. The clash between east and west will be a rematch of last year’s Canada Day home opener against the Leos.
The Ticats have sold out 27 consecutive games since the opening of the donut box in 2014; an impressive streak they plan to extend in Week 4 and beyond.
 

Week 5 vs. Edmonton Eskimos – July 20 at 7:30 p.m.

There is no denying the bad blood between the Eskimos and Ticats. Hamilton will be out for vengeance when the Esks make their first return to Tim Hortons Field since defeating the Ticats in last year’s Eastern Semi-Final. The early playoff exit has lingered in the minds of Ticats fans and players alike throughout the offseason. The Black and Gold hope to replace the bitter taste of defeat with the sweet satisfaction of revenge when the Esks role into Steeltown on July 20.
Coincidentally, the Ticats and Esks also faced off last year in Week 5 action. Remember that time Jeremiah Masoli erased a 25 point deficit by throwing a CFL-record 23 straight completions? We sure do.
Buy two tickets for the Ticats home opener or Eastern Semi-Final rematch starting at just $59!

Week 9 vs. Ottawa Redblacks – Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m.   

It was a long offseason for the Ticats after seeing the Ottawa Redblacks hoist the Grey Cup back in November. The 2017 season will only mark the Redblacks fourth year in the CFL, but a fast rivalry has already formed between these two divisional foes (cough, 2015 Eastern Final, cough). The fate of the East Division last year came down to the only two meetings between the Tabbies and Redblacks in weeks 17 and 18. This year, the Ticats will see the defending Grey Cup champions sooner and more often. The Week 9 clash will mark the first of three matchups between the two foes in 2017.
 

Week 11 vs. Toronto Argonauts – Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m.

Toronto. Hamilton. Labour Day Monday. The excitement behind this game does not need much more explaining.
Any clash between the bitter QEW rivals is one to watch, but the Labour Day Classic between the Argos and Ticats has become one of the marquee matchups of the entire CFL season. This year will mark the 49^th time the Tabbies and Boatmen have met on Labour Day Monday. The Ticats boast the better head-to-head record when it comes to the Labour Day game, emerging victorious on 32 occasions.
WeatherTech Football Day in Hamilton also makes a return for a second season. The day-long event will once again feature a celebration of football in the City of Hamilton and a free concert in the South Plaza at Tim Hortons Field, presented by SuperCrawl. Classic CFL rivalry. Free concert. What more could you want?
Get 40% off season seats for the 2017 season until Feb. 24.