The Calgary Stampeders will begin their 2011 campaign on Canada Day — Friday, July 1 at 7 p.m. — against the Toronto Argonauts at McMahon Stadium.

“We heard from our fans with respect to the 2010 schedule and we worked diligently with the Canadian Football League to make the appropriate changes this season,” said Stampeders’ president/COO Lyle Bauer. “The Labour Day Classic will once again kickoff at 2:30 p.m. and we worked to ensure there was a good mix of evening, afternoon and weekend games throughout the year.”

>> Video: Home-schedule preview

The Stamps’ 2011 schedule will be highlighted by two feature matchups in September. First, the Stamps will host the BC Lions at McMahon on Sept. 17 in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame Game and the following week, the Red and White will travel to Moncton, N.B., for Scotiabank Touchdown Atlantic II on Sept. 25 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“We think there is something for everyone with this schedule,” said Bauer. “We open the 2011 season in Our House against the Toronto Argonauts on Canada Day and will also host the Canadian Football Hall of Fame Game in September. In addition, Stamps fans will have a chance to see division rivals Saskatchewan and Edmonton twice at McMahon.”

Overall, the schedule includes four meetings with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, three matchups with the BC Lions and three games against the provincial-rival Edmonton Eskimos, including the Labour Day Classic at McMahon on Sept. 5 at 2:30 p.m.

“This schedule provides a great challenge to our players and a lot of excitement to our fans,” said head coach/general manager John Hufnagel. “The Roughriders have become a big rival and we play them four times, so fans should like that. We also play BC in the Hall of Fame game on Sept. 17 and then travel to Moncton to play Hamilton on Sept. 25, so those are interesting stories around the games.”

“We’ve had some change on our team — in the locker-room and on the coaching staff — and everyone wants to have a great training camp and get a good start to the season on Canada Day.”

The Stamps face the defending Grey Cup champions in the first of two meetings when Montreal comes to town on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.
 
Here is the complete Calgary Stampeders schedule for 2011: