It was pure fandemonium at Lansdowne Park's TD Place as Ottawa RedBlacks fans flooded the grounds Friday prior to team's home opener pre-game show against the Toronto Argonauts.

Fans sporting RedBlacks jerseys began lining up as early as 3 p.m. in front of the gates on Bank Street, site of the hottest party in town, just to be a part of football history.

"It's been nine years so I'm excited," said Steve Potvin, 49.

"We used to have season tickets. It was fun and was a nice gathering for the friends and I love the CFL."

Football fans Kerwyn and Cathy O'Neil were also season ticket holders and were glad to be back.

"It's interesting to see the team back again," said Kerwyn, 58.

"We've always supported the Ottawa teams like the 67's and the Sens, so it's great to see football back and I think it's great for the city."

"We're happy football's back in Ottawa," said Martin Girouard, 54, who brought his brother and son.

"We go way back. We were supporters of the original Rough Riders. It's going to be fun."

After waiting about an hour and a half, fans were finally let onto the grounds and made their way to the Aberdeen Pavilion where food trucks and a stage were set up.

Canadian band, The Trews, played some of their hits which added to the already-vibrant atmosphere.

"It's pretty electric," said Luke Richardson, former Ottawa Senators defenceman and now head coach of the Binghampton Senators.

"To see this many people here at Lansdowne is great. The last time the Sens made the Stanley Cup finals; it's pretty much this type of atmosphere. The ownership has done a great job bringing it back to Ottawa. I think Ottawa really embraces it."

Mike Moussette agrees.

"It's definitely going to be electric," said Moussette, 52.

"I was at the first Sens game and I think it's going to be the same kind of atmosphere."

"The day is amazing so far," said 24-year-old Chelsea Heyligen, 24.

"It's so cool. It's like a real tailgating experience. I've been to NFL games before and this is pretty comparable to one of those."

The success this time around, says Richardson, is RedBlack owner Jeff Hunt's abilities to make the RedBlacks a family experience.

"If you've seen what he's done in the past with the 67's, he's made it a real family-oriented type of atmosphere which you can see today and I think he's just going to continue that."