Canadian basketball history will be made under the night sky! On May 23 at 8:00 PM, IGA Stadium will trade its tennis nets for basketball hoops when the Montréal Alliance hosts the first professional outdoor basketball game in Canadian history as the CEBL Summer Classic presents Éclipse : match sous les étoiles.

During this groundbreaking event, Éclipse : match sous les étoiles, Montréal’s professional basketball team will face off against the Ottawa BlackJacks in a spectacular showdown beneath the stars, creating an unprecedented basketball experience that merges athletic competition with the magic of an open-air venue.

“Our league and our teams continue to deliver unique, innovative experiences for basketball fans across the country. The first Canadian 5x5 outdoor pro basketball game in Montréal this summer will perfectly exemplify this commitment. IGA Stadium is a world-class facility and the ideal venue to host this historic game, where Montréal and Ottawa will ignite their rivalry under the stars.” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL.

The CEBL Summer Classic is the latest innovation by the league that in its six seasons has been known to deliver world class pro basketball in unique ways. The CEBL became the first pro league in the world to adopt the target score ending for all games, the first pro league in Canada to play with FIBA rules, and features numerous elements that make CEBL basketball especially appealing to fans and elite players from around the world. The concept of playing games outdoors has been under consideration by the league since it launched in 2019, and Montréal’s new ownership group of Joel Anthony, Léo Bouisson, and Ian-Philip Paul-Hus embraced the concept and committed to bringing it to life.

“Playing outdoors, in a tennis stadium transformed into a basketball arena, is unprecedented! We can’t wait to show Montrealers the exceptional power, calibre, and spectacle that we’re capable of delivering on this grand court! This will be a defining moment for us, but also for all basketball fans in Canada,”,   mentions Alain Louis, Montréal Alliance player since the inaugural season in 2022. 

A RECORD AUDIENCE

The Montréal Alliance, which will begin its fourth season in May at the Verdun Auditorium, will make the leap to IGA Stadium for this historic occasion. This iconic venue of Montréal’s sports culture will welcome the team for the first time, more than tripling its capacity with more than 11,500 spectators, compared to the usual 3,500. A historic turning point for the team and a strong symbol of the rise of professional basketball in Montréal.

“Like the celestial phenomenon of an eclipse, this game will be an exceptional, rare, and spectacular moment. An eclipse attracts all eyes, unites crowds in a suspended moment where the extraordinary takes over the ordinary. This is exactly what this event promises: an unforgettable rendezvous where basketball will shine under the Montréal sky.” mentions Jo-Annie Charbonneau,  President of the Montréal Alliance.

THE EASTERN RIVALRY

The rivalry between the Montréal Alliance and the Ottawa BlackJacks promises to be explosive. More than just a game, the evening will celebrate basketball culture and Montréal’s unique spirit with a special program featuring surprises throughout the night, further fueling an already intense rivalry.

“When we launched the Alliance, our goal was to bring something unique to Montréal. This game under the stars embodies that: an experience that goes beyond sport, writing our team into the history of Canadian basketball. We are proud to break conventions and offer fans an evening that pays tribute to this incredible city.” adds Joel Anthony, owner and general manager of the Montréal Alliance.

TICKETS & INFORMATION

Tickets for Éclipse : match sous les étoiles are on sale now. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats quickly for this historic sporting event.

Buy tickets : www.alliancemontreal.ca/en-ca/eclipse. Starting at $25.