CFL, Blue Bombers monitoring Winnipeg air quality ahead of game against Argonauts

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler (17) scrambles to recover the football during first half CFL football action against the Toronto Argonauts in Toronto on Saturday, July 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

WINNIPEG — The CFL says air quality is improving in Winnipeg for a game between the Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts.

Forest fire smoke from northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba has drifted into the Manitoba capital. Winnipeg’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) was at 10-plus — or very high risk — in the morning.

The game at Princess Auto Stadium was still a go for 7:30 p.m., the CFL said in an afternoon update on X, formerly Twitter, and that air quality had improved to seven.

The CFL and Players' Association policy states air quality must be seven or below to warm up and play.

The CFL says all stadiums are equipped with real-time, air-quality monitoring systems

Poor air quality in Regina forced the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders to postpone their July 13 game to the following afternoon.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025.

The Canadian Press