When will the 2021 season start?

[Wobbler]

I'm persuaded by Rod Pedersen's argument that the season will be delayed but not canceled. A lot depends on the speed of the vaccine rollout and the hypothetical effects of vaccine-resistant strains, but assuming that vaccinations are on schedule and there are no nasty surprises, when should the season start?

Or is Pedersen wrong?

[ArgoGabe22]

If the Bills can play with a very small crowd in the winter, then I don’t see why the season should be delayed. Especially when it begins in the summer months.

[AngeloV]

They really should try to do everything possible for a full schedule. If it means starting the season in empty stadiums and adjusting as the vaccine rolls out and daily numbers are down, then that’s what they should do.

[matthew]

If the Bills can play with a very small crowd in the winter, then I don’t see why the season should be delayed. Especially when it begins in the summer months.

Your response seems to centre on our ability to have a season based on the time of year. How do the seasons factor in to non-vulnerability to COVID exactly?

Also asking on behalf of Tommy Sweeney and Josh Norman (+3 on reserve list) and in defence of the Bills’ January $63/ticket testing surcharge for fans to attend the playoff game

[Argo57]

Depends on how quickly Canadians get vaccinated.
Canada now ranked 38th in the world for vaccination rates per 100 people so I suspect a late summer start to the 2021 season.

[argolio]

By most accounts, it seems that worldwide vaccine production and distribution won't ramp up to the required numbers until April, which would make June football unlikely. I'm guessing an early August camp and a mid-August start to the season (12 games?).

I hope the league is still talking to the feds. Anything that can help the league start earlier and safer should be pursued.

[Will]

They really should try to do everything possible for a full schedule. If it means starting the season in empty stadiums and adjusting as the vaccine rolls out and daily numbers are down, then that’s what they should do.

I'm with you (but is it practical)

[ArgofanIan]

Wish we could move our season seats to the east side. Was thinking it would be nice to sit on that side of the stadium plus if any one worried about social distancing would be more space over on that side.

If the Argo's are allowed limited crowds maybe they could open up the first few games at least for season ticket holders.

Trying to be positive but seems this pandemic is not going to be over any time soon.

[doubleblue]

Wish we could move our season seats to the east side. Was thinking it would be nice to sit on that side of the stadium plus if any one worried about social distancing would be more space over on that side.

If the Argo's are allowed limited crowds maybe they could open up the first few games at least for season ticket holders.

Trying to be positive but seems this pandemic is not going to be over any time soon.

I tried the East Side "Once". So you have a point. I don't think any virus could live there from mid June to mid August.

[AngeloV]

Wish we could move our season seats to the east side. Was thinking it would be nice to sit on that side of the stadium plus if any one worried about social distancing would be more space over on that side.

If the Argo's are allowed limited crowds maybe they could open up the first few games at least for season ticket holders.

Trying to be positive but seems this pandemic is not going to be over any time soon.

My guess is that if they have limited crowd sizes to start (let's say 7k or so) they will be asking people to move over there until such time as there are no limitations.

[Skinny G]

The current estimates for Covid 19 vaccinations in Canada state that 14.5 million people will receive their shot of Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna by June. If we get the Johnson and Johnson, Oxford and Novavax vaccines approved by March then we may reach about 24.5 million vaccinations by June. With the addition of the Novavax and J&J vaccines, there is a good chance that the season will be able to start on time with a limited # of fans in the seats. As for the effectiveness of the Oxford vaccine, we will find out their test results from the US shortly.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/14-5m-canadians-to-be-immunized-by-june-updated-vaccination-timeline-shows-1.5314048

[gilthethrill]

The current estimates for Covid 19 vaccinations in Canada state that 14.5 million people will receive their shot of Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna by June. If we get the Johnson and Johnson, Oxford and Novavax vaccines approved by March then we may reach about 24.5 million vaccinations by June. With the addition of the Novavax and J&J vaccines, there is a good chance that the season will be able to start on time with a limited # of fans in the seats. As for the effectiveness of the Oxford vaccine, we will find out their test results from the US shortly.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/14-5m-canadians-to-be-immunized-by-june-updated-vaccination-timeline-shows-1.5314048

Is the general consensus on the forum that only vaccinated people will be allowed entry to BMO Field?

[AngeloV]

Is the general consensus on the forum that only vaccinated people will be allowed entry to BMO Field?

I don't think so. If the vaccines help to reduce the spread, and numbers get low, I can see them allowing reduced capacity, but still making masks mandatory, which I am good with.

[carlos]

Not sure where to stick this but one thing about the trend to triple header football is that by attending in person for some might mean missing both of the other games.

Recent CFL schedules are built around a TSN programing agenda rather than any fan convenience factor so making a big deal about fan attendance seems like addressing the symptom rather than a potential contributing factor imo.

Bottom line for me is that the league is set up as TSN in house programing at a bargain basement price. Now they want to squeeze the players for more.

The 2022 CBA negotiations will be quite interesting if the players can stand together.

[ArgoZ]

I tried the East Side "Once". So you have a point. I don't think any virus could live there from mid June to mid August.

East Side open to all. Only vaccinations need for West side seats.

[ArgoGabe22]

Not to turn this political but its frustrating the same day an article gets published saying the CFL season is hanging on a thread, NHL is allowing fans into arenas. At least 50% of the league is.

[Mightygoose]

Currently August 5 and a 14 game season

CFL announces plans for shortened season starting in August - TSN.ca

Grey Cup now scheduled for December 12. Still in Hamilton

[argolio]

Almost had it right. I didn't count on them extending the season to December 12. Bundle up for the playoffs!

Obviously Covid can still change things, but I think by July we'll be in a better place, so I'm optimistic about this.

[gilthethrill]

2022...if at all.

[Mocha]

I think if the vaccine supply stays on schedule and all adults who want it can get their first shot by end of June, then hospitalizations should be down enough by August to get the go ahead for large outdoor gatherings.

Fingers crossed, anyways.