CFL fans descend on Winnipeg ahead of 112th Grey Cup

Alex Karpa has more on the excitement among CFL fans as the Montreal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders go head-to-head in the 112th Grey Cup on Sunday.

It’s a weekend circled on every Canadian football fans calendar.

The Grey Cup held in Winnipeg features a matchup between the Montreal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Longtime Roughriders season ticket holder Trevor Doroshenko has been a CFL fan his whole life.

“My dad took me to my first game on October 1, 1983,” he said. “I was 10 years old. Riders took a 21-3 lead in the half and lost 24-23, but I was hooked at that point.”

He has been to several Grey Cups since becoming a superfan over four decades ago, but this is his first time attending the championship game in Winnipeg.

“No matter where Grey Cups are, it feels like home,” he said. “It’s a community and that’s what makes it good to be here.”

But for others, like Montrealers Christian Ruel and Phillippe Tremblay, it’s their first Grey Cup game.

“This is an awesome party,” said Tremblay, who has been a longtime Alouette fan. “It’s a bucket list thing for us. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“It’s good to be live for a Grey Cup.”

There aren’t just Alouettes and Roughriders fans in Winnipeg for the Grey Cup. Football fans from coast to coast, have also descended on the Manitoba capital, not only to witness the championship game, but also to celebrate a longstanding Canadian tradition.

John Lamacchia and his friends make the Grey Cup an annual tradition, attending 17 straight games.

“It’s a good chance to get together with everyone,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what team you’re on; everyone is having a good time out here in Winnipeg.”

The big game doesn’t just bring a classic Canadian football match; it brings a series of concerts, parties and other fun events, including interactive activities for all football fans.

But it’s not just fans who are enjoying the festivities, so are local businesses, who are seeing an influx of traffic.

Grey Cup economic impact over $90 million for Winnipeg

Natalie Thiesen, with Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism, told CTV News the economic impact is huge for hotels, restaurants and retailers.

Dwight Benson, the general manager of Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant in downtown Winnipeg, says the foot traffic has been incredible.

“It is the busiest day we probably had in six years,” he said. “It’s been crazy. It’s been busy, lineups all day long, all weekend long. We are expecting the same thing. It’s been great.”

“It’s all hands-on deck,” Benson said. “We had to get a couple more servers and bartenders, but everyone is excited, and the vibe is great around here.”

Last CFL game before new rule changes

On Sept. 22, CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston announced sweeping new rule changes to the game, which will be implemented over the next two seasons.

This includes:

• A shortened field from 110 yards to 100.
• The end zones will be shortened from 20 yards to 15.
• The goalposts will be moved from the goal line to the back of the end zone.
• The single point awarded for a missed field goal that goes through the end of the end zone will no longer be awarded.
• A new 35-second play clock will start after each play, replacing the current manual system.

Johnston defended his decision on Friday.

“Three downs, 12 players, unlimited motion, 65-yard-wide field and huge end zones: these rules are not going anywhere,” he said. “The new rules embrace innovation and perpetual improvement while protecting what makes Canadian football special.”

TSN CFL Insider Dave Naylor said most of the substantial rule changes are occurring in 2027 but noted that Sunday’s Grey Cup will be the last time the championship game could end on a single point on a missed field goal.

“This has always been a fear of a lot of CFL fans, that what if a Grey Cup was won on a missed field goal?” he said. “Tomorrow is the last time that can happen. That is the major change for next season.”

“This has been a league that is very tied to tradition,” Naylor said. “It’s been a league that accommodates its existing fan base probably more than the fan base beyond. It’s very loyal to its core fans.”

The Grey Cup between the Montreal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders will kick off at 5 p.m. CT at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.