Touchdown! Red-hot Detroit Lions plan watch party in downtown London

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The NFL’s No. 1 team is looking for some London love.

In what may be a local first, the red-hot Detroit Lions have announced a watch party for one of their upcoming games – Dec. 22 against Chicago, with fans invited to view it downtown on the big screens inside Canada Life Place.

“The Lions have incredible fans in Canada, and they’ve been an integral part of our fanbase since the team was established in Detroit,” Emily Griffin, the team’s marketing vice-president, said in a statement.

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“The opportunity to engage with them more deeply, especially during this historic 2024 season, is something we’re very excited about.”

Being located next to Detroit, Windsor has long been the biggest hotbed of Lions support. But the team – 9-1, tied for top spot in the NFL with Kansas City – appears to be making a push to strengthen fan support further east along Hwy. 401.

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Supporting Detroit sports teams is nothing new for London. The city was considered among the biggest areas of support for baseball’s Detroit Tigers, and from 1989 to 1993 the team’s Double-A affiliate was the London Tigers, playing out of Labatt Park.

For decades, however, there has been little to cheer about when it comes to the Lions. They won a playoff game last season, their first since 1991, which was their first since 1957. The team infamously went 0-16 in 2008. They’ve never played in a Super Bowl, but are widely considered favourites to win the NFC title and get there this season.

Detroit Lions cheerleaders and the team’s mascot, Roary, are scheduled to attend the London watch party, team officials say. An outdoor pre-game party on Dundas Street will start at 11 a.m. before the arena doors open at noon for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

Tickets will cost $10 and will go on sale Nov. 26 at 10 a.m.

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