Forge FC

Reflecting on the impact we've made together over the last 10 years at Tim Hortons Field 🤝

As 2024 comes to a close, Tim Hortons and Hamilton Sports Group are celebrating the impact of the inaugural stadium naming rights agreement that helped build and launch Tim Hortons Field. Since it opened, the stadium has played host to over 250 premium sports and entertainment events, which attracted three million live attendees. It has also seen over 10,000 hours of community activity and has been used to raise more than $3 million for charity. The Hamilton Sports Group, which owns the Tiger-Cats, Forge FC, and the long-term stadium lease, will announce a new naming rights partner and a new name for the building in due course. Yes, the Donut Box will need a new nickname. Tim Hortons and Hamilton Sports Group will continue to be major partners in a variety of sponsorship and community-based initiatives, but the building that houses the Ticats, Forge and many, many other events, will be known as something different. In the last four years alone, Tim Hortons Field has hosted 100 ticketed events including two Grey Cups, the NHL Heritage Classic, an outdoor OHL game, the memorable FIFA Men’s World Cup Qualifier won by Canada over the U.S., over 40 Ticats games and more than 70 Forge FC matches. “We’re proud of our 10-year partnership that helped launch a beautiful new multi-purpose stadium for the city of Hamilton,” said Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer for Tim Hortons. “We, along with Tims restaurant owners, look forward to continuing to be a sponsor of the Tiger-Cats and other Canadian Football League teams across the country.” When it was signed in 2014, the naming rights agreement was hailed as a natural fit between two east-end institutions—the town team and the local donut shop—which sprung to life just a few blocks from each other and each have grown into internationally-recognized brands. “Similar to how the stadium grounds have evolved over time, our partnership with Tim Hortons has evolved throughout the last 60-plus years,” said Matt Afinec, President and Chief Operating Officer of Business Operations for Hamilton Sports Group. “Since the first Tim Hortons store opened in 1964 on Ottawa Street North, our two brands have been connected as proud Hamilton partners. They’ll continue to be linked through this latest evolution, just in a different way.” Afinec continued, “Tim Hortons will remain a significant and long-term partner of the Tiger-Cats and the stadium itself. We also look forward to continuing our great relationships with our local Tim Hortons restaurant owners here in Hamilton, who were instrumental in the stadium’s success over the last 10 years.” The new naming partner for Hamilton’s most successful entertainment venue will become profoundly attached to one of the busiest outdoor stadia in Canada, which has a world-wide reach engendered by the unique popularity of the Ticats, the ongoing successes of Forge FC, and the plethora of international sporting and entertainment events it has hosted over the past decade.

Hamilton's stadium is getting a new name! 🏟

So grateful to witness such a great team and community 🧡🖤🩶

Together We Forge 🧡⚽ As we reflect on 2024, we're overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible community we’re proud to call home. This year’s Impact Report highlights how, together, we've used the power of sport to drive progress and inspire growth in our city. 👦 13,000+ youth reached through programs that uplift, educate, and empower. 🏟 50 soccer clubs and 110 schools engaged to foster collaboration and build connections. 🎉 An astounding $340,000 raised for initiatives that make a real difference. None of this would be possible without YOU — our community, our fans, our partners, and everyone who believes in building our city. To our incredible community: Thank you for standing with us, for dreaming with us, and for forging a brighter future alongside us. Together, we’re proving that soccer is more than a game. 🧡

🔨 Forge Your Future in Sports! 🔨⁠ ⁠ The 2025 HSG Internship Program is here! 🎉 ⁠ ⁠ Are you a student passionate about sports? This is your shot to:⁠ ⁠ ✅ Gain hands-on industry experience⁠ ✅ Work on exciting projects⁠ ✅ Learn from sports industry leaders⁠ ⁠ Step onto the pitch and kickstart your sports career! ⚽💼⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/g_5uRm7V

🟠 Forge FC vs. CF Monterrey: A CONCACAF Champions Cup Showdown! 🏆⚽ The draw is in, and the journey begins! Forge FC will face Liga MX side Club de Futbol Monterrey Rayados in Round One of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. This is our chance to represent Hamilton and Canadian soccer on the biggest stage in the region. 🌍🔥 🗓️ The complete schedule, including kickoff times and dates, will be confirmed by Concacaf in the coming days. Learn more about the Concacaf Champions Cup and secure your spot on the waitlist now: forgefc.canpl.ca/concacaf/

The wait is almost over ⏳ Tomorrow at 7:00 PM ET, the official Concacaf Champions Cup Draw takes place, live on Concacaf’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/concacaf. ⚽ Forge FC is proud to return to the continental stage for the third time, representing Hamilton and Canada in one of the most prestigious tournaments in our region. This journey showcases the incredible growth of the game in our community and our relentless drive to compete with the best across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. With potential matchups against top clubs like Inter Miami, UANL Tigres & Vancouver Whitecaps the anticipation is at an all-time high. Check out the full list of potential opponents and get ready to see who we'll face on our path to glory 🗞 | https://lnkd.in/g-M-ve6b Mark your calendars, tune in tomorrow, and join us as we take another bold step onto the continental stage. 🟠

A very special and massive thank you to our class of 2024 Hamilton Sports Group interns 👏 We’re grateful for your hard work, creativity, and dedication all season. The work you all have done will leave a lasting impact, and we’re excited to see all the great things you’ll achieve in the future. 🧡 #TogetherWeForge

What a moment this was 🧡 Our School Day Match, which had 14,293 students and fans, was nominated for the We Are One Community Moment award Vote on the Fan Awards daily at the link below for a chance to win a CPL prize pack! 🔗 | https://lnkd.in/e6zhzSN8