There has been a great deal of press about the football boom in the Province of Quebec. What was once perceived as an anglophone pursuit has been embraced by people of all stripes. In a sense, football's resurgence in Quebec is a homecoming of sorts. Although the first documented gridiron football match was a game played at University College, University of Toronto on November 9, 1861, modern football is widely regarded as having originated from a game of rugby played in Montreal, in 1865.

The game gradually gained a following, and the Montreal Football Club was formed in 1868. Football soon became popular at McGill University, and McGill challenged Harvard University to a game, in 1874. It is through this varsity play, that the game now known as American football entered the United States. North American football's roots are in Montreal. It's only fitting that the people of Quebec reclaim what is theirs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football


Olympic Stadium - 66,308+

http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/CGY_stamps_greycup_081125/image8.jpg
http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/CGY_stamps_greycup_081125/image8.jpg

What evidence is there of this football renaissance? The Montreal Alouettes play to sell out after sell out and have for years. Molson Stadium only holds 20,002 people, but when games are occasionally shifted to Olympic Stadium, crowds swell to 50,000+. In fact, the top 10 largest attendances for football in Canadian history are all Montreal games.


10 Largest Football Crowds in History

1. 1977 Toronto 20 Montreal 14 Olympic Stadium 69,093
2. 1976 Ottawa 2 Montreal 23 Olympic Stadium 68,505
3. 1977 Montreal 41 Edmonton 6 Olympic Stadium 68,318 *
4. 1977 Ottawa 20 Montreal 27 Olympic Stadium 66,544
5. 2008 Calgary 22 Montreal 14 Olympic Stadium 66,308 *
6. 2001 Calgary 27 Winnipeg 19 Olympic Stadium 65,255 *
7. 1978 B.C. 26 Montreal 30 Olympic Stadium 65,132
8. 1979 Edmonton 17 Montreal 9 Olympic Stadium 65,113 *
9. 1977 Winnipeg 10 Montreal 27 Olympic Stadium 63,330
10. 1977 Toronto 18 Montreal 6 Olympic Stadium 62,832

* Grey Cup
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFL_attendance


Molson Stadium - 20,202 (Being expanded by 5,000 seats for 2010 season)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/120/266036812_607e19ffe7.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/120/266036812_607e19ffe7.jpg?v=0

Molson Stadium is being expanded to 25,000 seats and is widely perceived as one of the most dramatic settings for a football stadium on the continent. What about football beyond this one team though? There's a ground swell of participation in football at the high school and university level. The number of Quebec universities fielding a football team has now increased to 6 teams with crowds topping 18,000 turning out for football games at Universite Laval. Quebec based college football teams are now considered some of the strongest in the nation.

Laval has secured hosting duties for the 2009 and 2010 Vanier Cups and has cemented itself as the the most dominant team in college football. Talk has now turned to a Quebec City expansion team in the CFL. The Montreal Alouettes organization is keen for a team in Quebec City so that a healthy rivalry can develop. The CFL sees Quebec City as a market that will make the league stronger. What are the feelings in Quebec City regarding a team?

Might we one day see as many as 3 or 4 pro football teams in Quebec. What do people in Quebec feel about the football boom in their province and how far will it go? Please feel free to share your thoughts, photos, images, and insights into all things football in the Province of Quebec.


Sherbrooke-Montréal-Laval-Bishop's-Concordia-McGill

http://www.quebecurbain.qc.ca/archives/football-rouge-et-or.jpg http://www.versusquebec.com/uploads/3610/Carabins_Football.jpg
http://www.cisport.ca/e/championships/vaniercup/2009/images/peps-stadium.JPG http://farm1.static.flickr.com/25/60735701_1ea3775cab.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/2062848299_8fe44d41d6.jpg?v=0 http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/5743/mcg-1937.jpg


http://www.quebecurbain.qc.ca/archives/football-rouge-et-or.jpg
http://www.versusquebec.com/uploads/3610/Carabins_Football.jpg
http://www.cisport.ca/e/championships/vaniercup/2009/images/peps-stadium.JPG
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/2062848299_8fe44d41d6.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/25/60735701_1ea3775cab.jpg?v=0
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/5743/mcg-1937.jpg

Great thread isaidso!

I heard that the number of kids playing football in this province has swelled from something like 40-50,000 players 10 years ago to over 250,000 today.

I think it's only a matter of time before Q.C. gets a CFL. the only thing slowing the process down, is the lack of a decent stadium in La Vieille Capitale.

If they can get 16,000-18,000 crowds for Univeristy football, i have no doubt they can attract 25,000 + for Pro-football.

Also, i beleive it's only a matter of time before UQAM has it's own football team. After the Success stories of U Sherbrooke and U de M, I thik UQAM will do what it can to field a football team in the near future.

Thanks. I noticed threads for soccer and hockey in Quebec, and thought that football deserved one as well. It's hard to accurately gauge the extent of this boom for someone living in other parts of Canada, so it's interesting to get the perspective of a Quebec resident. That 250,000 figure certainly augers well for the future of football not just in Quebec, but the repercussions it will have for the sport right across Canada. Universite Laval is already making a huge contribution in this regard.

When the old Ontario-Quebec college football conference disbanded, I was concerned as to whether the remaining Quebec teams would be able to sustain a Quebec only conference. The development of Quebec college football has been nothing short of spectacular since then. You mention the possible addition of UQAM, but what about UQTR? Adding those 2 schools would bring the conference up to 8 teams, and mean that all major universities in Quebec field a football team.

What year did Universite de Sherbrooke and Universite de Montreal develop a football program. What about Universite de Laval? I tried getting information on that, but had no luck.

As far as pro football is concerned, it's my hope that Montreal and Quebec become as important to the Canadian Football League as Melbourne and the State of Victoria are to the Australian Football League. A whopping 9 out of the 16 teams in the AFL are based in Melbourne. The AFL manages to prosper with or without the support of Australia's largest city, Sydney. The same situation exists in Canada. Toronto is largely indifferent and has turned its back on this country's league. It would be fantastic if Montreal and Quebec took up the slack and did for the CFL what Quebec colleges are doing for Canadian college football.

Let's put a CFL team in Quebec City, and hopefully in 10 years put a 2nd team in Montreal. After all, Molson Stadium only holds 20,000; soon to be 25,000. I'm sure Montreal could easily support two teams drawing 25,000+ each. Perhaps, that 2nd Montreal area team could be put in Laval?

Future eastern Conference?

Hamilton
Toronto
Montreal
Ottawa
Quebec City
Laval (municipality north of Montreal, not the school in Quebec City)

9,075 show up for a pre-season college football game at Laval

Further proof that football is booming in the province of Quebec. Laval blanked Western 27 - 0 in a pre-season game over the weekend in front of 9,075 fans. Canadian college playoff games struggle to attract crowds that big, but 9,075 at a pre-season game? Keep it up Laval!

Build Laval a top notch stadium. PEPS was built with 10,200 seats, but has held as many as 18,500 for a college football game. With the next 2 national title games being hosted by Laval, football interest will surely grow even more. Could we see the first 20,000 regular season college crowds in Canada since the 1950s? University of Toronto used to draw upwards of 28,000 back then. Maybe it will be Laval that puts college football back on the road to prominence in Canada and cements Quebec along with Saskatchewan as Canada's football meccas.

http://weblog.stevedeschenes.com/photos/Weblog692/Football_0202.jpg
http://weblog.stevedeschenes.com/photos/Weblog692/Football_0202.jpg
Could a CFL team in Quebec City be that far off? A Quebec City - Alouettes rivalry would be awesome!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/1702930284_200f108d37.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/1702930284_200f108d37.jpg

:shocked::shocked::shocked:Mighty Laval finally beaten :shocked::shocked::shocked:

College football power, Laval, goes down to Université de Montréal, 28-7 at CEPSUM in front of an over flow crowd of 5,100. Laval hadn't lost since that 2007 bowl game shocker at the hands of Saint Mary's. Way to go Carabins! I'm sure many in the Q are relishing this one. The college football blogs are going crazy over this one. With #2 Western falling this weekend as well, the top 10 is in for a big shake up.

http://www-carabins.cepsum.umontreal.ca/Pages/images/GaleriePhotos/2009-2010/Football%20-%203%20septembre%202009/044_Le%20stade%20du%20CEPSUM.jpg
http://www-carabins.cepsum.umontreal.ca/Pages/images/GaleriePhotos/2009-2010/Football%20-%203%20septembre%202009/044_Le%20stade%20du%20CEPSUM.jpg

Looks like Université de Montréal will need to be expanded. Perhaps, wrap the main stand all the way around to boost capacity to the 10,000 - 12,000 range?

Good luck Alouettes!

Yeah, let's just say that there's a quiet optimism in town that the Als won't choke this time!

WOOHOO! The Als are Champions!!!

AWESOME!

Montreal Alouettes fans cheer on their team before the start of the 97th Grey Cup in Calgary.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/GC114-FBO_CFL_Gr_359153gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/GC114-FBO_CFL_Gr_359153gm-f.jpg

Montreal Alouettes slotback Ben Cahoon makes a touchdown catch during fourth quarter Grey Cup action.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/GC159-FBO_CFL_Gr_359307gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/GC159-FBO_CFL_Gr_359307gm-f.jpg

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant scrambles against the Montreal Alouettes Keron Williams, right, during the first half of the 97th CFL Grey Cup.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL115-CFL_jpg_359143gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL115-CFL_jpg_359143gm-f.jpg

Montreal Alouettes slotback Jamal Richardson, left, scores a touchdown as Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Lance Frazier tried to tackle him.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL122-CFL_jpg_359145gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL122-CFL_jpg_359145gm-f.jpg

Quarterback Anthony Calvillo, 13, of the Montreal Alouettes throws a pass.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL216-CFL_jpg_359146gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL216-CFL_jpg_359146gm-f.jpg

Billy Parker, right, of the Montreal Alouettes intercepts a pass in front of Rob Bagg, left, of the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the second half of the 97th CFL Grey Cup in Calgary.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL218-CFL_jpg_359147gm-f.jpg

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo celebrates after a touchdown.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL129-CFL_jpg_359149gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL129-CFL_jpg_359149gm-f.jpg

Chris McKenzie of the Saskatchewan Roughriders recovers a fumble against the Montreal Alouettes.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL209-CFL_jpg_359150gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL209-CFL_jpg_359150gm-f.jpg

Montreal Alouettes Damon Duval, 15, celebrates with his team after kicking a field goal to defeat the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL130-CFL_jpg_359305gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL130-CFL_jpg_359305gm-f.jpg

Montreal Alouettes running back Avon Cobourne celebrates after defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders to win the 97th CFL Grey Cup.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL27-CFL_jpg_359201gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL27-CFL_jpg_359201gm-f.jpg

Montreal Alouettes Ben Cahoon, left, hoists the Grey Cup with teammate Anwar Stewart, right, after the Alouettes beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 28-27 to win the 97th Grey Cup in Calgary.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/GC163-FBO_CFL_Gr_359308gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/GC163-FBO_CFL_Gr_359308gm-f.jpg

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo, right, hoists the Grey Cup with teammate Anwar Stewart, left.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/GC160-FBO_CFL_Gr_359202gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/GC160-FBO_CFL_Gr_359202gm-f.jpg

Montreal Alouettes linebacker Shea Emery drinks from the Grey Cup.
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL130a-CFL_jpg_359306gm-f.jpg
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00359/CAL130a-CFL_jpg_359306gm-f.jpg

The Alouettes announced today that 40,000 tickets are already sold for the East Final on Nov. 21st.

Well, I mentioned it on the Canadian forum but I think it deserves to be acknowledged on the Quebec forum as well. If you live under a rock (or in Rouyn-Noranda :) ) you may don't know this but both the Alouettes and the Rouge et Or won their respective matches. We'll see the former at the Grey Cup final and the latter at the Vanier Cup final!

Je l'ai mentionné sur le forum du Canada mais je crois que cette nouvelle mérite d'être mentionnée sur le forum du Québec également. Les Alouettes ainsi que le Rouge et Or ont tous deux gagnés leur match respectif. Nous allons donc avoir la chance de voir les Alouettes jouer dans la final de la Coupe Grey et Laval ENFIN se battre pour gagner la Coupe Vanier à domicile!!! Le football québécois se porte très bien!!

I take this opportunity to thank Isaidso for his frequent and very interesting posts on football in Quebec!!!

My pleasure. Quebec is a stalwart of Canadian football and deserves the accolades. From cegep, to college, to the pro level Quebec is elevating our sport nationally. I just hope that football interest in Quebec continues to grow with more players, more teams, and more fans. Till then, go Rouge et Or... go Alouettes!

:cheer: ^^

:bowtie:7Zr6L_sNVR4:bowtie:

Yay, Montreal's #1! :okay:

There was a time when powerhouse teams from the North Shore Football League ruled the gridirons of Quebec by divine might.

No other corner of the province could boast a feeder system like North Shore’s vaunted inter-park program, which produced oodles of talent for the incredibly successful North Shore bantam Lions and midget Mustangs.

The pic which you has posted or that thread by this description is pretty good!
(Not pretty, but a sign that Halifax is prospering again. New parking facilities are being built next to the airport.)