Interrupted Montreal Alliance outdoor basketball game will not resume after being ruled ‘no contest’
Posted May 27, 2025 3:10 pm.
The Montreal outdoor basketball game that was billed as a first-of-its-kind experience but was postponed at halftime due to a weather-related issue will go down as a “no contest.”
That means the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) match between the Montreal Alliance and the Ottawa Blackjacks – which Montreal was leading handily in front of its home crowd – will not be resumed or replayed.
Instead, no outcome will be entered into the CEBL standings. If playoff positioning is impacted by the “no contest” result at the end of the season, the league says it will “consider a fair and appropriate solution in alignment with our competitive standards.”
The CEBL says the decision was made “after careful review and in consultation” with both teams.
Sunday’s outdoor “Summer Classic” at Montreal’s IGA Stadium was postponed, with the Alliance leading 52-29 in front of 9,305 fans, because condensation formed on the court due to dropping temperatures, which created a slippery surface.
Officials cited player safety as the reason to halt the proceedings.
The Alliance says all ticket purchasers for the game will receive an invitation by email to an upcoming regular season home game at Verdun Auditorium.
“Despite this unexpected conclusion, ‘Éclipse: Match sous les étoiles’ will forever be etched in history as the very first professional outdoor 5×5 basketball game in Canada,” the Alliance wrote Tuesday.
“The energy of the crowd, the halftime performance, the commitment of our partners, and the impressive play of our players created an unforgettable atmosphere that goes far beyond a simple basketball game.”
