On Saturday, a bustling day awaits nearly 60,000 sports enthusiasts in Montreal, with multiple major events happening across the city. Due to a strike by bus drivers and subway operators, public transportation will be unavailable, adding to the challenge of getting to and from the venues.
The Montreal Police Service (SPVM) has assured the deployment of extra personnel to handle traffic, especially around Molson Stadium and the Bell Centre. This is crucial as four significant events are scheduled for the same day.
The action kicks off at noon at CEPSUM, where the Carabins clash with the Concordia University Stingers in a provincial university football semi-final. With a full CEPSUM stadium hosting around 5,000 fans, the atmosphere promises to be electric.
At 2:00 p.m., the excitement moves to Molson Stadium, where the Alouettes face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL Eastern Conference semifinal. The game was rescheduled to accommodate the World Series, potentially extending the sports thrill for fans.
Following closely at 3:00 p.m., the Laval Rocket battles the Rochester Americans at Place Bell. Despite the arena’s metro accessibility, increased traffic on the bridges connecting Montreal to Laval is anticipated, with over 9,000 tickets already sold for the game.
In the evening, the Bell Centre will draw crowds as the Canadiens take on the Ottawa Senators. With parking near the arena, commuter trains, REM stations, and Bixi bike rentals, fans are encouraged to plan their transportation in advance.
For Molson Stadium visitors, alternative transport options like REM and discounts from Teo Taxi are recommended due to the unavailability of the usual free shuttle service by the Alouettes. The Rocket will also advise ticket holders to arrive early and brace for heavy traffic.
Parking challenges at CEPSUM have left officials scrambling, impacting various planned activities due to staffing shortages. The situation has forced the cancellation of many events, affecting the student workforce and prompting urgent reorganization efforts.
