108TH GREY CUP MEDIA PROTOCOLS
HAMILTON – Below are the game-day protocols for the 108th Grey Cup game.
TIM HORTONS FIELD INFORMATION
On game day, the press box and media workrooms will open at 3 p.m. Pressbox seating, as determined by the Football Reporters of Canada and the Canadian Football League (CFL), will be posted in the media rooms.
Pre-game meals will be served at 5 p.m. in the press box, the media conference room and the photographers’ room. A snack will be served at halftime.
Media accreditation
Media credentials that have not been picked up will be available at the stadium box office from noon until 4 p.m. Any credentials that have not been picked up by then will be revoked.
Entrance to Tim Hortons Field
The media shuttle drop-off and pick-up location will be Gate 1A. Media must enter through this gate.
All accredited media must do a rapid antigen test when arriving at the facility. They must wear masks at all times when not eating or drinking. They must fully abide by government-mandated health and safety guidelines and the CFL’s Return to Play Protocol during the game. Failure to adhere to these rules may result in a credential being revoked without notice or appeal, and immediate removal from areas designated for media coverage.
Media conference room – City Lounge, 2nd floor. The room will also serve as an auxiliary media workroom for those who are not assigned to the press box.
Photographers room – Forge FC Lounge
Pressbox – Located on the 7th floor.
BROADCAST RIGHTS HOLDERS
TSN, RDS, and TSN Radio have exclusive access on Grey Cup Sunday.
Recording and live hits inside the stadium by all other media outlets are strictly prohibited until after the post-game ceremonies. The lone exception will be one opportunity for in-bowl stand-ups from 4:30 – 4:45 p.m. Non-rights holders will be escorted to field level by CFL Communications representatives. There will be a group departure from the media conference room shortly after the head coaches’ pre-game media availability.
SIDELINE PHOTOGRAPHERS’ PROTOCOLS
Below are the guidelines for photographers shooting from the sidelines during the 108th Grey Cup. Photographers must wear a CFL/LCF photographer’s bib at all times. A mandatory briefing is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. in the photographers’ room.
End zones
All photographers must shoot from behind the A-Frame signage.
Shooting from the TV-visible sideline
All photographers shooting where digital signage is located must do so from behind the digital signage. No exceptions.
Opposite sideline
At the discretion of the CFL, a very limited number of photographers will receive permission to work from the opposite sideline. Photographers must shoot from behind the signage and they must avoid the teams’ bench area.
Players’ box
All photographers are prohibited from entering the players’ box (bench area).
Pre-game ceremonies
Designated photographers (bib colour TBD) will have access to shoot the national anthem and coin toss from the field of play. Photographers on the field must shoot from behind the TV camera.
Photographers will be briefed before the game at 4:45 p.m. in the Photographers’ Room.
Halftime and post-game
Photographers will be briefed before the game at 4:45 p.m. in the Photographers’ Room.
POST-GAME PROTOCOLS AND MEDIA MOVEMENT PLAN
Towards the end of the fourth quarter, media in the press box will be escorted to field-level. Media will be permitted on the field following the presentation of the Grey Cup trophy. While in the waiting area on field level, all wireless microphones must be turned off.
While interviewing players on the field after the game, media must be wearing a mask at all times and are required to make best efforts to respect social distancing.
Additional information on the media movement plan will be shared during the game.
Rights holders (TSN, RDS) have exclusive coverage of the on-field ceremonies and celebrations. All other media are prohibited from accessing the field during the ceremonies (still photographers excluded).
Media will be permitted on the field following the presentation of the Grey Cup trophy.
TROPHY PRESENTATION ORDER
The Most Valuable Canadian, followed by the Most Valuable Player and then the Grey Cup Trophy.
Both locker rooms will be open to media after the conclusion of the game and following TSN/RDS’ window of exclusivity. Media must wear a mask to enter the dressing room. Order of entry:
- Still Photographers
- Additional host broadcaster/rights holders
- Print Reporters
- Radio/TV Reporters
- TV Cameras
Post-game media Conference order:
- Non-Winning Head Coach
- Winning Head Coach
- Most Valuable Player
- Most Valuable Canadian
The post-game media conference will be available on CFL.ca/live.
POST-GAME POOL FEED
Information will be provided when available.
