‘We’re built to host’: CFL bringing Grey Cup to Saskatchewan for second time in five years

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have been awarded the Grey Cup for the 2027 season for the fifth time in team history. Donovan Maess reports.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will host the 114th Grey Cup in 2027.

CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston made the announcement at Mosaic Stadium on Monday.

“There is something truly special about football in Saskatchewan. It’s more than a game,” he said during his remarks.

“It’s a way of life, from the wheat fields to the stadium stands, the passion of Rider Nation runs deep — a royalty is legendary, their energy unmatched and their love for Canadian football is woven into the very fabric of the province.”

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The announcement marks the second time Regina will host the Grey Cup inside of five years, following the 2022 Grey Cup.

“It’s going to be such a celebration in 2027,” Johnston told reporters following the announcement. “We know the province of Saskatchewan, City of Regina and the Saskatchewan Roughriders can put on a show. And we’re looking forward to that.”

Under the banner “Prairie Pride,” the entire 2027 Grey Cup festival, including the street festival, will be hosted indoors, according to team president and CEO Craig Reynolds.

Reynolds recognized Rider Nation and the thousands of vital volunteers in his remarks.

“Our fans are passionate, loud and loyal. We have a world-class stadium, an entire community that gets behind big events. When we host, the entire province comes alive with pride, excitement, hospitality,” he noted.

“In Saskatchewan, we do Grey Cups right.”

Historic hosts

In total, the Riders have hosted the Grey Cup Festival five times. Doing so in 1995, 2003, 2013 when Saskatchewan it all, and most recently in 2022.

“We talked [that] actually when we were we ready to bid,” Reynolds said. “You do have to look at that organizationally. Is your organization ready to bid and put forward the amount of work?”

“Because it is a tremendous amount of effort required,” he added.

Mayor Bachynski called the upcoming 2027 Grey Cup a symbol of Regina’s “ambition and pride” while highlighting the positive effects of hosting such a prolific event.

“Hosting this national event will inject millions into our local economy, supporting our hotels, restaurants, shops and small businesses,” he said. “It’ll boost tourism, create jobs and showcase return to visitors from coast to coast.”

Premier Moe also gave his thanks to the league, the Roughriders organization as well as partners of the club — that are vital in organizing Grey Cup celebrations. Moe ended off with a bold prediction for this year’s season.

“A sincere thank you to each and every one of you for working to make this one of the most memorable, memorable gray cup festivals in the history of the league,” he said.

“It is going to be the sweetest thing next to bringing the Grey Cup home from Winnipeg this particular year. We’ll be winning it on this field behind me.”

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Economic impact

The city and the province are each providing support to the team’s bid.

The Government of Saskatchewan says they will provide $5 million.

“Saskatchewan has done this before,” the premier said. “We know how to do it. Volunteers, certainly will come out as well as the fans.”

The City of Regina is contributing $1.5 million dollars total of ‘in kind’ support – including cash grants, Regina Police resources, transit and the use of the REAL District.

Bachynski says the spinoff will be much greater.

“It’s really showcasing the businesses and the facilities we have,” the mayor said. “We’re well on track. As long as we stick to the plan of investing in our infrastructure, we’ll be in great shape to showcase our city in 2027.”

According to an economic impact study conducted by the Roughriders following the 2022 Grey Cup, that festival generated $67.8 million in economic activity across the country.

The findings also showed $25.7 million was added to Saskatchewan’s GDP because of the event.

“We’re built to host Grey Cups here,” Reynolds said. “To be able to deliver this for our fans, for the province and the economic impact is really important.”

Schedule changes

With the announcement of the 2027 Grey Cup, the league also confirmed the schedule will be altered that season.

Johnston announced the 114th Grey Cup game will be held Nov. 7, 2027 – a week earlier than it has been for the past several years.

“[The league] picked November 7th. We have to move the season up earlier,” he said. “We’re focused on the 2026 schedule right now. We’ll come back to with more 2027 news.”

“But yes, it is going to land a week earlier than it has been recently,” Johnston added.

That season will also be the first full year the league’s announced rule changes – including the field size and moving of the goal posts – will all be in effect.

“The support we’ve received for these changes across the country has been a very special,” the commissioner said. “We’re looking forward to how we’re going to open up the game and more touchdowns. We’re going to showcase what makes our game so truly Canadian.”

The upcoming 112th Grey Cup will be hosted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Princess Auto Stadium on Sun., Nov. 16, while the 113th Grey Cup will be hosted by the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Nov. 15, 2026.