The Fraser Valley Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday its 2020 season schedule. The Bandits open the CEBL campaign at home on Friday, May 8 against the defending CEBL Champions, the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

The CEBL is the only First Division Professional League partner of Canada Basketball.

The Bandits will play a 20-game season against the CEBL’s six other teams – the Edmonton Stingers, Saskatchewan Rattlers, Niagara River Lions, Hamilton Honey Badgers, Guelph Nighthawks and Ottawa BlackJacks.

After recording one of the CEBL’s strongest average attendances and hosting a historic home opener that saw nearly 4,000 fans visit Abbotsford Centre, year two for the Bandits is set to build upon an exciting inaugural campaign that showcased fast-paced professional sports and entertainment to families from across the Lower Mainland

“With 2020 nearly here, I’m thrilled to announce our season schedule to our devoted fans, as well as new fans looking for a must-watch summertime entertainment option. Bandits games are an experience for all ages, and I can not wait for attendees to be part of the exciting team and production that we are building both on and off the court,” said Bandits Vice President Dylan Kular.

“This year we are fortunate to have four weekend games, which will allow commuters and families from across the Lower Mainland to enjoy the action at Abbotsford Centre all season long. As British Columbia’s professional basketball team, I invite fans from Vancouver to Hope to be part of the movement. See you in May 2020.”

Known for hosting world-class performers and athletes, fans and audiences will be treated to edge of your seat action before, during and after world-class professional basketball games. Season tickets are priced from $179 to $399 in the seating bowl, and $400 to $625 for courtside seats on the floor.

 

Row one courtside seats are currently sold out for the 2020 season. Adding to the excitement are season ticket options for families, coworkers or fans looking for added hospitality and a special view of the game. Fans interested in Baseline Bar tables are asked to contact tickets@thebandits.ca.

 

Voucher Packs, Group Tickets and Single-Game Tickets will go on sale in early 2020.

 

The Bandits schedule was announced at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in downtown Toronto as part of the league’s complete 2020 schedule launch and the naming of CBC Sports as the CEBL premier media partner. All 20 regular season Bandits games will be streamed live on CBC Gem, CEBL.tv and the Island Sports Network. Fraser Valley will also be part of a nationally televised broadcast as part of the CBC Game of the Week when the Bandits travel to Edmonton on June 13 and when Fraser Valley hosts the Saskatchewan Rattlers on June 20.

 

Highlights of the 2020 Fraser Valley Bandits schedule include:

  • A total of 20 regular season games during the 14-week campaign

o   Ten home games at Abbotsford Centre:

– The Bandits open their home season on Friday, May 8 against the defending CEBL Champions, the Saskatchewan Rattlers

– Four weekend games in total:

  • One Friday game, two Saturday games, and one Sunday matinee

– Five Thursday night games and one Wednesday night contest

o   Five games against the defending CEBL champions, the Saskatchewan Rattlers, including three at Abbotsford Centre

  • The Bandits take on the CEBL’s first expansion club, the Ottawa BlackJacks, for the first time on June 11th at TD Place
  • The Ottawa BlackJacks will visit Abbotsford for their lone matchup at Abbotsford Centre on June 18th
  • The longest road trip of the year for the Bandits is a five-game swing from May 22-June 13
  • The Bandits have two three-game home stands, arriving on June 18-June 25 and July 30-August 6 to conclude the season
  • Two nationally televised games on CBC:

o   June 13 when the Bandits travel to Edmonton to take on the Stingers

o   June 20 when the Bandits defend home court against the visiting Saskatchewan Rattlers

  • The regular season finale will be August 6 when Fraser Valley plays host to Guelph
  • The team with the best regular season record will join host Edmonton with automatic berths into the four-team Championship Weekend showcase. The next four teams in the standings will play quarterfinal games August 9 to determine which two will advance to Edmonton

 

 

 

# Sunday, August 9, 2020     TBD              Championship Weekend Play-In Game

# If necessary

 

*CBC Game of the Week – subject to change.

 

2020 Championship Weekend at Expo Centre (Edmonton, Alberta)

Friday, August 14, 2020        TBD              Championship Weekend Semifinal

Sunday, August 16, 2020      TBD              Championship Weekend Final