Canada’s university football championship is set to kickoff Saturday afternoon at Western University.

The 57th Vanier Cup game will see the The Laval University Rouge et Or take on and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies at Alumni Stadium at 1 p.m.

This is the first time London will host the championship game which has previously been held in Toronto, Quebec City, Hamilton, Vancouver, Montreal, and Saskatoon.

The Western Mustangs dropped their chance to play on their home field for the finals after they were eliminated 27-20 by Laval in the Mitchell Bowl last Saturday. A large crowd of university football fans are still expected to gather at Western for the game this weekend as tickets sold out about two weeks ago.

Philip Aziz Avenue will close at around 7 a.m. Saturday to prepare. Doors open for the “Fan Fest” at 9 a.m.

“Prior to kickoff, the 2022 Canada Life Vanier Cup Fan Fest will be hosted in the Huron Flats parking lot outside Western Alumni Stadium,” a release from U Sports read. Admission to the Fan Fest is free and will feature music, games, food trucks, and interviews with former U Sports legends and local guests.”

A number of guests are expected to attend the event including Andy Fantuz, Damian Warner, Alysha Newman, Craig Butler, Lirim Hajrullau, Marc Liegghio, Dylan Giffen, Chris Merchant and Deionte Knight. Canadian singer and songwriter Delaney Jane is set to be the halftime show performer.

Pre-paid parking tickets will be scanned at the Huron Flats and South Valley parking lot entrances. Starting at 9 in the morning. Parking will not be available for sale on game day. Ticket holders are advised to arrive before noon to avoid delays at the stadium gate.