CFL moves season opener kickoff time up a half hour

TORONTO — The Canadian Football League released the following statement Tuesday morning regarding the kickoff time for the season opener on Thursday:

“What a time to be a sports fan in Canada! Our regular season opener is fast approaching and the nation has rallied around the Raptors in their drive to win the NBA Championship! To accommodate our many fans who want to experience both, we are moving up the start time of our June 13 game in Hamilton between the Tiger-Cats and the Saskatchewan Roughriders to 7 p.m. ET from 7:30 p.m. ET.

“This new 7 p.m. ET start time allows our fans to enjoy our first regular season game of the year and still catch most of Game Six of the NBA Finals, both of which air live on TSN.  The gates will also be open to the public at Tim Hortons Field following the conclusion of the football game, welcoming fans & community members to watch the remainder of TSN’s Raptors broadcast for free on their 3,400 sq. foot video board.

“Thank you to the Tiger-Cats and Riders for supporting this change and all of our fans for adjusting to it. Good luck to all of our teams as they start their quest for the Grey Cup  — and Canada’s only NBA team as it reaches for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Let’s all enjoy one of the great days in Canadian sport on June 13, starting at 7 p.m. ET on TSN with the Tiger-Cats and Riders live from Tim Horton’s Field. For tickets head to cfl.ca/tickets.”