Forge FC Hamilton will return to Tim Hortons Field in August with fans in attendance

Forge FC will return home to Hamilton in August to play at Tim Hortons Field.

The Canadian Premier League (CPL) announced Monday (July 12) that all eight soccer clubs will return to their home cities to play the remainder of the 2021 campaign.

Under Step 3 of Ontario’s COVID-19 re-opening plan, professional sports venues can accept up to 15,000 spectators seated outdoors, or 75 per cent of their pre-pandemic capacity. Tim Hortons Field can seat up to 23,218 fans —expandable to 33,000 for special events.

“We are extremely thankful for the unwavering support and patience of our great fans and supporters, and our players can’t wait to return to Hamilton and play in front of our home crowds again at Tim Hortons Field,” said Matt Afinec, President and Chief Operating Officer of Forge FC.

“We are also very excited to formally celebrate our back-to-back CPL championships by unveiling the recognition of those amazing achievements prior to kickoff of our CPL home opener on August 8.”

Currently, all CPL teams are playing their matches in Winnipeg. The Kickoff consists of 32 games total — with each club playing eight games.

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Upon completion of The Kickoff on July 24, clubs will return to their home markets to continue the season where they will play an unbalanced schedule — 16 games against teams in their region and four more against teams they already played against in Winnipeg.

Home market matches will start July 30, 2021, and end on November 6, 2021, with each Club playing its remaining 20 matches.

Forge FC’s first match after The Kickoff games will be July 30 at York United at 7 p.m.

The Hammers will host Atlético Ottawa on Sunday, Aug 8 at 1 p.m. at Tim Hortons Field in the club’s first CPL match back in Hamilton.

However, Forge FC’s first game at Tim Hortons Field is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug 4 at 8 p.m. in the first leg of its 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round matchup against Club Deportivo Futbolistas Asociados Santanecos (C.D. FAS).

“Like our fans and supporters, we are all eager and excited to return to our home markets and play in front of fans, including being able to celebrate with our Ottawa fans as Atlético has their inaugural match at TD Place on August 14,” said David Clanachan, Commissioner Canadian Premier League.

“The future is bright as we prepare to open our stadiums and get back to a regular schedule that allows our players, coaches, officials and staff to be at home with their families and friends. I want to thank everyone who is in the bubble in Winnipeg for their commitment and devotion to this beautiful game so many of us love. Thank you to our fans and supporters for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you cheering on your favourite Club at their home field.”

All matches are broadcast exclusively via the CPL’s media partner, OneSoccer.

Cover photo credit: Barton St. Battalion @BartonBattalion on Twitter