Why is the Grey Cup played in pre-selected host cities?

[Hack&Lube]

There were a lot of issues drumming up interest and selling tickets to the Grey Cup this year in Vancouver. This is the 2nd time in 3 years that the host city has been Vancouver and the local crowd wasn't interested in watching Calgary vs. Hamilton.

I've been wondering this since I was a kid but nobody has ever explained to me why the Grey Cup is set up this way. Why not have the championship game played in the home city of one of the contending teams as in most professional sports?

[GirlySports]

The Grey Cup is a national event and it's easier for people to plan trips months in advance.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

It wasn't supposed to be in Vancouver again (originally). The plan was originally to have Ottawa host this year but due to their slow stadium construction they decided to move it to Vancouver.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/102nd_Grey_Cup

EDIT: This really didn't answer your question at all, just thought it was an interesting tidbit. I think You Need a Thneed brings up some great points as to why the Grey Cup is scheduled in advance

[You Need a Thneed]

Halftime show would haave to be axed, no time to properly prepare for it.

No temporary stands to add capacity.

Hotel Bookings and flights would be much more difficult to organize.

Awards shows, other festivities finding venues at last minute.

[Arsenal14]

I'm not sure there is any sport that hosts a single game championship in the home field of a participating team. It works for multi-game series (Stanley Cup, World Series, NBA Championship) but single game events like the Super Bowl, Champions League final, etc. are generally at a "neutral" site chosen in advance.

[troutman]

I don't like how the Memorial Cup allows the host city a free spot.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Arsenal14

I'm not sure there is any sport that hosts a single game championship in the home field of a participating team. It works for multi-game series (Stanley Cup, World Series, NBA Championship) but single game events like the Super Bowl, Champions League final, etc. are generally at a "neutral" site chosen in advance.

Doesn't the MLS play the Cup game at the stadium of one of the participating teams?

[Barbecue]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

This is the 2nd time in 3 years that the host city has been Vancouver and the local crowd wasn't interested in watching Calgary vs. Hamilton.

They're already having trouble drawing interest from the Local crowd to attend their own games!

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by troutman

I don't like how the Memorial Cup allows the host city a free spot.

Absolutely agree they are fresh and don't have to go through the long grind of the playoffs. They probably get the largest margin of an advantage of any of the levels of sport.
Not the best 4 teams in the CHL. Top 3.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Doesn't the MLS play the Cup game at the stadium of one of the participating teams?

Yes

final is this sunday in LA (would have been in Seattle if they beat LA on Sunday)

[speede5]

Originally Posted by troutman

I don't like how the Memorial Cup allows the host city a free spot.

I think the benefits at that level outweigh the negatives. I doubt the tournament would break even without the home team.

The home team's potential is considered in the bid, The league wants to see that the team is building to be competitive. How many times has a home team that wasn't a contender in their own league a finalist? Even with fresh leags, which only happens if they get knocked out early, they are rarely a threat. The home teams that win or contend are usually built to win, and no one dumps their league title to have an easy run in the Mem cup.