Canvas Classic 2023: Ticket, parking, gameday info for high school football rivalry games at CSU

Fort Collins high school football rivalries are back on the big stage at a college venue.

The Canvas Classic returns for a second straight year to Colorado State University's Canvas Stadium this Friday.

Fossil Ridge and Fort Collins will battle for the Harmony Cup at 4:30 p.m. before Rocky Mountain and Poudre face off under the lights at 7 p.m. in the nightcap.

It's a stage many players got a taste of last year, making this their most anticipated game of the season.

"Everybody wants to play at a college stadium, in front of thousands of fans," Poudre senior Ryan Vandever said at The Coloradoan football media day. "I can't wait."

Fans can get used to it, too. Poudre School District, CSU and title sponsor Canvas Credit Union announced back in the spring that the event will continue through at least 2025.

Here’s what you need to know about this year's doubleheader:

How to get Canvas Classic tickets

Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased online at CSURams.com. They can also be purchased in person at the Canvas Stadium ticket office on the north side of the stadium after 3 p.m. Friday.

Tickets are free for:

• All PSD staff (with district badge)

• All PSD high school students (with student ID)

• All children grades 8 or younger (do not need ID)

• All CSU students (with student ID)

Only PSD employees/students themselves will have free entry. Additional family members or guests will need their own tickets.

Where to park for Canvas Classic

Free on-campus parking will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday, with game parking divided into two lots.

For the Fossil Ridge-Fort Collins afternoon game, fans should park in these lots:

• Lake Street Parking Garage (570)

• College Avenue Garage (577)

• Commuter Lot (575)

• Performing Arts Center (625)

• ADA Parking (Lot 240)

For the Rocky Mountain-Poudre night game, fans should park in these lots:

• Moby Arena Lot (195)

• Lory Student Center Lot (310)

• Morgan Library Lot (425)

• ADA Parking (Lot 240)

Visit csurams.com/sports/2022/2/2/canvas-community-classic (and scroll down) to see the parking map.

What fans can, can't bring to Canvas Classic

CSU’s clear-bag policy for athletic events will be in effect.

What's not allowed in Canvas stadium:

• No outside food or beverages are permitted.

• Backpacks, purses, fanny packs or computer/camera bags

• Folding stadium seats

• Metal seatbacks (a point of emphasis this year)

What is allowed in Canvas stadium:

• One clear, plastic, vinyl or PVC bag smaller than 12-by-6-by-12 inches, including clear-plastic freezer bags of one-gallon or smaller.

• Small clutches (smaller than 4 ½ by 6 ½ inches), with or without a strap, or bags of an appropriate size containing medically necessary equipment

• Blankets and jackets

• Cameras and binoculars not in a carrying case

• Empty, clear water bottles and made of crushable plastic

Where to enter, sit for Canvas Classic

All fans can enter through Gate 1 on the north side of the stadium. It will open at 3:30 p.m.

• Students, pep bands and fans of the participating schools will have designated seating areas in the stadium's lower bowl

• The Rocky Mountain and Fossil Ridge sections will be in the east stands (reversed from last year)

• Poudre and Fort Collins will be in the west stands (reversed from last year)

• Students and families of younger PSD students are encouraged to sit in the cheering sections of the high schools.

All other seating is general admission in the lower bowl.

Canvas Classic pregame, in-game entertainment

This is another point of emphasis for PSD this year, as activities outside the game have been beefed up.

Outside entertainment:

These activities will be north of the stadium (near Gate 1) and run from 3:30-7:30 p.m.:

• CSU ROTC will staff RAM Town inflatables

• First Responder vehicles (Fire engine, K9 unit, etc.) on display

• Eight local food trucks with food, drink and desserts

• Army recruiting office

• Live DJ

On-field entertainment:

• Color Guard, presented by PSD JROTC

• Cheer/dance performances by youth participants

• Unified Flag football showcases

• Dance battles between schools

• Parade of schools

• Mascot races

• CSU's Comatose Cannon

Other in-stadium notables:

• Free face painting on the south concourse under the large videoboard (behind sections 120, 121, 122).

• Several corporate partners hosting booths on south concourse

• Concessions vendors and Ram Zone retail store are open

How to watch, listen to 2023 Canvas Classic

Both games will be live-streamed through FanVu if you can't make it in person. The games will also be carried live on the radio by KFKA (AM 1310) and KCSU (90.5 FM).

Last year's games, future Canvas Classic schedule

The event kicked off last year and featured the same matchups as this edition.

• Fossil Ridge beat Fort Collins, 46-21

• Poudre beat Rocky Mountain, 34-7

For now, this is the last year that it will be the four city schools in this game, as Timnath and Wellington join the fold next season.

Here are the future Canvas Classic schedules for 2024, 2025:

Sept. 27, 2024 (Week 5)

• Timnath vs. Wellington (4:30 p.m.)

• Poudre vs. Rocky Mountain (7 p.m.)

Sept. 26, 2025 (Week 5)

• Fort Collins vs. Fossil Ridge (4:30 p.m.)

• Wellington vs. Timnath (7 p.m.)

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Canvas Classic: What to know for Fort Collins football games at CSU