The Grey Cup game is returning to Regina in 2027, the second time in five years the capital city and home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders will host the CFL final.
"This is an opportunity for us in 2027 to yet again highlight just the strength of the fan base we have in Saskatchewan, the community pride that we have for our Saskatchewan football team," Premier Scott Moe said at the announcement Monday.
Saskatchewan Roughriders president Craig Reynolds credited backing from the City of Regina and province for helping secure the 2027 Grey Cup.
“In Saskatchewan, we do Grey Cups right, ” Reynolds said.
A spokesperson for Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski said the City of Regina has committed $1.5 million in cash and in-kind spending, including transit shuttle and police support, for the Grey Cup.
“Whether you’re a diehard fan, or first-time visitor, you’ll feel like family here,” Bachynski said.
“I promise you 2027 Grey Cup will be one for the books.”
The 2027 Grey Cup will be the second played at the new Mosaic Stadium. (CBC Laura Sciarpelletti)Since their founding in 1910, the Roughriders have hosted the championship game four times, most recently in 2022. The 2027 game, slated for Nov. 7, 2027 — one week earlier than normal — will be the fifth championship held in the Queen City and the second in the new Mosaic Stadium.
There are some heavy expectations around the Roughriders hosting a Grey Cup in their home city.
In 2013 the Riders beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 45-23, winning the Grey Cup on home soil before a crowd of 44,000 screaming fans.
This year's Grey Cup is being held in Winnipeg on Nov. 16, and Calgary is hosting the Grey Cup in 2026.
CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston was on hand for Monday's announcement and said the bid package from the Saskatchewan Roughriders, supported by the province, City of Regina and local hotel operators, stood out.
"You could tell this was a full team effort behind it," Johnston said.
"The quality of the bid, the thought process behind it, the support and then of course throughout all of that was the culture of football here in Saskatchewan."
For the first time ever, the 2027 Grey Cup festival will be hosted entirely indoors, including the street festival.
"You can take your winter jacket off and not have to think about it for the entire day ... that was a real selling point for us."
Johnston said the CFL doesn't disclose the other teams that put in bid packages, but he did say Saskatchewan's was "truly outstanding."