Basketball fans bring the energy for Calgary Surge inaugural CEBL game
Saturday marks an historic moment for the Calgary Surge as the team tips off for its inaugural game in the Canadian Elite Basketball league.
A couple thousand fans are expected to gather in the plaza outside the WinSport Event Centre at 2 p.m. for a special fan festival which includes basketball courts, food trucks, a beer garden and family friendly entertainment.
The game starts at 4 p.m. against provincial rivals, the Edmonton Stingers and already more than 90 per cent of tickets are sold out.
“Our players are here, our coaches are here, and we are so excited for the start of professional basketball in Calgary,” said Surge Head Coach Nelson Terroba.
“For the first time I stepped foot in this city for my press conference at WinSport, to our season ticket holder launch event this past week, I have witnessed tangible energy and excitement around the Surge. We can’t wait to have Calgarians watch us play.”
Calgary’s new CEBL franchise originated as the Guelph Nighthawks in 2018 as one of the league’s founding members. The organization was relocated from the league’s smallest market to Calgary in August 2022 as part of a growing business strategy.
Surge vice-chairman and president Jason Ribeiro says he’s very encouraged by the reception from southern Alberta basketball fans.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been seven months since we stood in front of Calgarians and unveiled the Calgary Surge as the CEBL’s newest franchise,” he said.
“We’ve been working tirelessly since October to build a team Calgarians can call their own and I can’t wait for all four corners of the city to come out this weekend and cheer on the home team.”
The CEBL boasts the highest number of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 per cent of its rosters being Canadian.
Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October.
The CEBL season runs from May to August with nine remaining Calgary Surge home games.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 dead, third in critical condition after attack in Kingston, Ont., suspect arrested
Two people are dead and a third suffered life-threatening injuries following an attack at an encampment in Kingston, Ont., Thursday. A suspect has been arrested following a multi-hour standoff.
B.C. will scrap carbon tax if feds remove requirement: Eby
British Columbia's premier says the province will end the consumer carbon tax if the federal government removes the legal requirement to have one.
Actor Chad McQueen, son of Steve McQueen, dies at 63
Chad McQueen, an actor known for his performances in the 'Karate Kid' movies and the son of the late actor and race car driver Steve McQueen, has died. He was 63.
Family of Sikh man speaks out against Toronto-area hospital after beard shaved
The family of a Sikh man from Brampton is seeking an apology, an explanation, and a promise to do better from the local hospital network after they say the facial hair of their loved one was removed without their consent.
Ottawa resident who tested positive for mosquito-borne virus dies, public health says
An Ottawa resident who died of a viral encephalitis this summer tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus eastern equine encephalitis (EEEV), the first human case of the virus in Ottawa.
Trump rules out another debate against Harris as her campaign announces US$47M haul in hours afterward
Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out another presidential debate against Kamala Harris as her campaign announced a massive fundraising haul in the hours after the two candidates met on stage.
'Keep your bags packed': Consul general grilled over $9M NYC condo purchase
After weeks of pressure, Canada's consul general Tom Clark is testifying on Thursday before a House of Commons committee about the purchase of his new official residence in New York that generated a lot of political attention over the summer.
NEW N.B. premier's asylum seeker comments spark controversy
Claims from New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs that Ottawa wants to force the province to take in 4,600 asylum seekers are 'largely fictitious,' says federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
TIFF pauses screenings of documentary about Russian soldiers due to 'significant threats'
The Toronto Film Festival says it has been forced to pause the screenings of a documentary about Russian soldiers this weekend, citing 'significant threats to festival operations and public safety.'