PokerStars kicked off the 2007 Grey Cup Festival in style this week in Toronto, Canada as two teams, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers prepared to square off against the Saskatchewan Rough Riders. The First Annual PokerStars Pigskin Classic, a game of touch football that included 8 Canadian Football League (CFL) players and PokerStars’ own Daniel Negreanu, was one the highlights of the opening day events.

“I thought we’d just come out here and throw the ball around, but these guys were tough,” said Negreanu. “They came prepared with plays, strategy and speed. It was intense, but so much fun, and I got to play with the best of Canada’s foot teams. You can’t beat that.”

After the Pigskin Classic, PokerStars then invited these CFL quarterbacks to try their hand at poker against Daniel and field of over 20 sports reporters covering the Grey Cup in a in its massive tournament style booth at the Toronto Convention Center. First prize for the reporters was a trip to cover PCA in the Bahamas in January or a donation $5,000 to the charity of their choice. Runners up received a seat to the PokerStars Million Dollar CFL Challenge, a fifty seat tournament open to the public at the Grey Cup with first prize being a trip for two and buy-in to PCA.

Winner of the media tournament was Senior Entertainment Reporter Rick Campanelli, of Entertainment Tonight Canada.

“This is amazing! I was short stacked within the first 15 minutes and had to claw my way back all the way through,” said Rick. “I can’t believe I made it all the way to the final and won.”

In addition, to the media tournament, 9 other satellite winners from all over Canada battled over 10,000 players online to make their way to the Grey Cup to compete today. Players like Curt Kristian and Ryan Nadeau, who were featured in their local newspapers, when word got out about their amazing win on PokerStars.net.

Not content with his first place victory and trip to PCA, Rick Campanelli returned on Saturday, November 24th to vie for his buy in to PCA as well. Unfortunately for Rick, he busted out before the final table.

The PokerStars Million Dollar CFL Challenge will conclude on Sunday starting at 12:30PM EST. FVice tenacious Canucks advanced to the final table to play against Daniel Negreanu on Sunday for a chance at PCA stardom! That winner will not only get a trip to PCA but will also be among the 30,000 screaming fans watching the 2007 Grey Cup.