Here’s what tailgating looks like across the CFL

WATCH: As Saskatchewan works to allow tailgating before Roughrider games next year, here is a look at what other teams are doing. Donovan Maess has more.

With a team as connected to tradition as the Saskatchewan Roughriders, it may come as a surprise one football staple does not exist at Mosaic Stadium for the team’s home games: tailgating.

In recent Rider history, pre-game festivities have been limited to team-organized events such as ‘Party in the Park.’

However, the team is hoping to expand those events.

“We have been working with the Government of Saskatchewan on potential ways to elevate our game day experience,” Roughriders President and CEO Craig Reynolds said in an email sent to season ticket holders Wednesday.

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“Next season, we hope to bring you legal tailgating at the Mosaic Stadium footprint for Rider home games,” he added.

Extremely common outside NFL stadiums and some other Canadian Football League (CFL) markets, tailgating typically involves setting up barbecues, small canopies and more before the start of football games.

In fact, Saskatchewan is one of just two Canadian markets which does not allow tailgating at the stadium.

Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and on special occasion Ottawa each allow tailgating outside their respective stadiums on game days, leaving Saskatchewan and the B.C. Lions as the outliers.

The name comes from the pregame festivities often being done using the open tailgate of a truck or other vehicle.

In CFL markets where traditional tailgating is allowed, teams like the Calgary Stampeders have a set of rules for the festivities including no open alcohol, having police on site, and no branded marketing setups.

“Tailgating activities are to be concluded one hour after the game starts,” states another rule in Calgary.

Winnipeg and Edmonton have similar policies to allow tailgating in specified areas.

“ONE CAR = ONE SPACE: Please do not spill into other parking stalls or block traffic flow,” the Elks’ guidelines state.

In order for the Riders to change their policies, some frameworks may have to change.

“We are actively exploring the Roughriders’ request to develop a regulated framework for tailgating at Mosaic Stadium for Saskatchewan Roughriders games,” a spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Gaming and Liquor Authority said.

“This involves a number of considerations including ensuring public safety, which is a top priority. Any potential framework would require support from and close collaboration with the City of Regina for these events.”

“Bylaw or legally wise, I’m not sure,” Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski told reporters Wednesday. “[The city] would have to look into and figure that out. I’m sure that’d be part of the engagement when we work with them on that.”

It’s unclear exactly what the Riders’ approach to the football tradition would look like at this point.

“The Roughriders are always exploring new ways to elevate the fan experience at Mosaic Stadium. As we are still in the early stages, we do not have any further details to provide at this time,” the team said in a statement to CTV News.

- With files from Cole Davenport