Citing a desire for safety and smooth operations, officials said Saturday that no game-day tickets will be sold for this year’s Turkey Bowl, the hugely popular rival football game between New Canaan and Darien High Schools held each Thanksgiving morning.
Tickets will cost $10, students will need to buy one—no passes or student IDs will be honored—and can be purchased in the NCHS gym foyer from 12 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 21 and 22, and 12 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 23, according to an announcement released by the school’s athletic director.
“This year’s game is being hosted by New Canaan High School and will take place in Dunning Stadium, which has significantly less capacity than Boyle Stadium,” according to the announcement. “To maintain a safe and orderly event, we will not be selling tickets the day of the game. Each high school will pre-sell tickets beginning on Monday, November 21st. Stadium gates will open Thanksgiving morning at 8:45 a.m. Seating will be on a first come, first serve basis. We have factored in standing room to the total number of tickets being sold. Everyone with a ticket will be admitted to the game.”
Officials have set a maximum of 10 tickets per visit.
For the past two years, the Blue Wave has captured the coveted Turkey Bowl crown, winning the FCIAC championship in the process. New Canaan and Darien remain the only unbeaten teams in the conference this season, after notching wins Friday night over Fairfield Ludlowe and Staples, respectively.
Just one regular season game remains.
For many alumni, the Turkey Bowl, serves as a de facto Homecoming game, a time of year when they’re back in New Canaan for the family holiday.
According to the announcement, on-site parking for this year’s Turkey Bowl will be limited.
“Off-site parking will be available at Saxe Middle School, South Elementary School, and Waveny Park,” the announcement said. “No food, drink, backpacks or bags will be allowed in the stadium the day of the game. There will also be no re-entry to the stadium. There is no provision for lost tickets.”
It would be much appreciated if the date and time of the Turkey Bowl were included in the article.
The date was mentioned in the article but last year I thought it had been reported that the league changed the rules regarding Thanksgiving Day games. Could we have an update on that controversy?
The league did away with the FCIAC Championship game, which happened to be played on Thanksgiving the last couple of years as NC and Darien have been the top two teams, as they are again this year. Regular Thanksgiving Day rivalry games remain intact.