The most anticipated university football game on the U SPORTS calendar kicks off at TD Place one month from today as cross-town rivals – the Carleton University Ravens and the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees – meet in the annual Panda Game on September 30. Tickets for the 2017 Panda Game go on sale September 1 at 10:00 a.m. at TDPlace.ca, by calling 613.232.6767 X1 or in person at The Box Office at TD Place.
A modern-day record crowd of 23,329 packed TD Place in 2016 for another Panda Game thriller as the Ravens claimed victory for a third straight season. The Gee-Gees have bested the all-time series 32-16, but Carleton is 3-1 since returning in 2013.
“This isn’t just the most anticipated event for students and alumni, but for all of us at TD Place – it is always circled on the calendar,” said Mike Cerha, VP Venues and Entertainment at TD Place. “Every year the crowds get bigger and the games get more intense. The atmosphere is electric, not just inside TD Place, but through Lansdowne.”
The first Panda Game was played at Lansdowne Park in 1955 and continued annually until the 1998 season. The Ravens returned to the gridiron in 2013 with the Panda Game returning to Lansdowne in 2014. Since then the rivalry has lived up to its lore treating students, alumni and fans to a ‘Hail Mary’ game-winning catch giving Carleton their first Panda Game win since 1994 and a double-overtime thriller (48-45) when Carleton edged uOttawa in the highest scoring result in Panda Game history.
Over 54,000 students, alumni and fans have experienced the Panda Game over the last three years at TD Place.
“The Panda Game is a tremendous event for university football and for our fans. We expect to represent our University in a first class manner,” said Gee-Gees head coach Jamie Barresi. “This is the most important game of the season for us and we’re very much looking forward to the day and the opportunity to line up on that field again.”
The Gee-Gees opened with a 24-21 double-overtime win at Guelph and will host Queen’s in their September 4th home opener.
“One of the best weeks of the year in Ottawa is Panda week. It brings out so much passion and energy in the city around university football, it is fantastic for our sport,” said Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah. “The Ravens are looking forward to another exciting game and continuing our great rivalry with the Gee-Gees.”
The Ravens kicked off their 2017 campaign with a 22-17 win over Queen’s and will host McMaster in their home opener on September 3.
