Canadian Armed Forces personnel delivered the Grey Cup to The Forks Sunday to kick off Grey Cup Week festivities; photos by Cameron Bartlett
Winnipeg Blue Bombers faithful will readily admit there’s a certain cover your eyes/plug your nose element to the 112th Grey Cup in our own backyard this week.
Yes, it’s not just that everyone’s guest of honour is a no show for the big party — the Blue Bombers were knocked out of last weekend’s Eastern Semi-Final — that hurt is only further compounded by the fact the championship matchup features the club that eliminated them last week in the Montreal Alouettes facing off against their arch-rivals, the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
So, yeah, that enormous pill is going to be tough to swallow and to keep down.
Still, a good party is a good party and this city’s fifth time playing host for the Canadian Football League’s marquee event is once again a perfect opportunity to showcase Winnipeg, Princess Auto Stadium, our loyal fanbase and all the events that make up the Grey Cup Festival.
With all that in mind — and understanding the home side is not in the game for the first time in five years — here is a Blue Bombers Fans’ Guide to the 112th Grey Cup…
112TH GREY CUP | THE BASICS
Date: Sunday, November 16th, 5 p.m. CT
Site: Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg
TV: TSN 1/3/4/5, CTV, RDS, CBS Sports Network, CFL+
Pre-game act: Our Lady Peace
National anthem: Catie St. Germain
Halftime: MGK
mgk to rock Bud Light Grey Cup Halftime Show at 112th Grey Cup
THE MATCHUP
Saskatchewan Roughriders (12-6) vs. Montreal Alouettes (10-8)
Vegas odds: Saskatchewan is favoured by 3.5 points.
Head to head: The teams split the season series, with Saskatchewan winning 34-6 in Week 9 and Montreal getting one back 48-31 in Week 15.
How they got here:
-Saskatchewan finished first in the West Division at 12-6 and then edged the B.C. Lions 24-21 in the Western Final.
–Montreal was second in the East Division at 10-8 and then knocked off the Blue Bombers 42-33 in the Eastern Semi-Final, followed by a 19-16 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Eastern Final.
Grey Cup week has begun.
The trophy’s in town, the energy’s building, and we’re ready to host the country.#ForTheW pic.twitter.com/1XiQ6IFeVm
— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) November 10, 2025
FYI
-The Roughriders are 4-15 (.211) in 19 Grey Cup appearances since 1923. The Roughriders won their last appearance in 2013, winning on home soil against Hamilton.
-Montreal is 8-11 (.421) in the Grey Cup since 1949. The Alouettes have won each of their last three appearances, including most recently in the 110th Grey Cup (2023) against Winnipeg.
-These two clubs have twice met in the Grey Cup previously, with the Alouettes winning both times — 28-27 in the 2009 in the infamous ’13th man’ penalty late in the game against the Roughriders and a year later in a 21-18 decision.
-Saskatchewan head coach Corey Mace will make his head coaching debut in the Grey Cup. As a player, he won one championship with the Stampeders (2014). As a coach, he won two – one as a defensive line coach with Calgary (2018) and one as a defensive coordinator with Toronto (2022).
-Montreal’s Jason Maas will make his second appearance in the championship as a head coach, after winning his first in 2023. He won two Grey Cups as a player with Edmonton (2003 and 2005) and one as a quarterback coach with the Argonauts (2012).
Blue Bomber/Manitoba connections:
Saskatchewan:
Andrew Harris; photo courtesy Kayle Neis/Regina Leader-Post
-Head coach Corey Mace was selected by the Blue Bombers in the second around of the 2007 CFL Draft but never dressed for the club. He signed with the Buffalo Bills in the NFL and then his CFL rights were traded to Hamilton, along with a 2009 CFL Draft first round pick for LB Zeke Moreno during the 2008 CFL season.
-Running backs coach Andrew Harris is a Winnipeg legend. Born and raised here, he won two Grey Cups with the Blue Bombers and ranks seventh in club history in rushing yards.
-Assistant GM Paul Jones spent nine years with the Blue Bombers in the late 80s/early 90s in the personnel department and was inducted into the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 2015.
-OL Jermarcus Hardrick — AKA ‘Yoshi’ — was one of the most-popular Blue Bombers in franchise history during his days here (2016-23) and was a member of the ’19 and ’21 Grey Cup championship teams.
-DB Marcus Sayles first signed in the CFL with the Blue Bombers in 2018 and played in 34 games over the next two years, including being a part of the ’19 Grey Cup team.
-DB Kerfalla Exumé was selected by the Blue Bombers in the 8th round of the 2019 CFL Draft and was a member of the club’s 2019 Grey Cup championship squad.
Montreal:
Shea Patterson during Blue Bombers camp in 2025
-QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson was added to the Blue Bombers practice squad in September of 2016 but did not see any action.
-QB Shea Patterson attended Blue Bombers training camp in 2025 but was released.
-OL Jamar McGloster played three games for Winnipeg in 2019.
-DE Shawn Lemon first since in the CFL with the Blue Bombers in 2011, but did not suit up for a regular season game.
-OL Landon Rice played his college ball at Manitoba and is a product of Brandon.
TAKE NOTE…
Blue Bombers kick returner/cornerback Trey Vaval is a finalist for two Canadian Football League Most Outstanding Player Awards — Most Outstanding Rookie Player and Most Outstanding Special Teams Award as the West Division nominee.
Trey Vaval
His challenger for the rookie award is Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Dev-n Veresuk and for special teams is former Blue Bomber and current Toronto Argonaut placekicker Lirim Hajrullahu. The award winners will be announced at a sold-out event at Club Regent Casino on Thursday, November 13th.
FREE EVENTS
Wawanesa Street Festival, November 13-15
Details here.
Canada Life Family Zone: November 13-15
Details here.
TELUS CFL Fan Experience: November 12-15
Details here.
TDS Law Outdoor Social: November 13-15
Details here.
Santa Claus Parade: November 15
Details here.
The GMC Cheer Extravaganza: November 15
Details here.
