Fans rally in Winnipeg as Blue Bombers take on Roughriders in Western Final
The countdown to the CFL Western Final is on – and fans of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders were gearing up for the big game Saturday afternoon.
Thousands gathered outside Princess Auto Stadium for a tailgate party before kickoff. The stadium is sold out for Saturday’s game, but there’s no word yet on a runaway favourite.
Bomber fans outnumbered fans of the 'Riders outside of Princess Auto Stadium on Nov. 9, 2024. (Zachary Kitchen/CTV News Winnipeg)
“What it means to be a Bomber fan is you take the good and the bad,” one fan said at the tailgate. “When they win, we celebrate. When they lose, we hope for the better.
“But we’re still True Blue.”
The Bomber-‘Rider rivalry was on full display, with fans travelling from near and far to cheer on their favourite team.
Saskatchewan Roughrider fans gathered on enemy territory ahead of the CFL West Final game on Nov. 9, 2024. (Zachary Kitchen/CTV News Winnipeg)
“It’s always a great atmosphere,” said one Saskatchewan fan. “Either them coming to Saskatchewan or us coming to Winnipeg. We all get along at the end of the day, but when it’s game time, it comes down to what happens on the field.”
“We’re going to kick your butts,” a Bombers fan said, in a message to the Roughriders.
Thousands took part in a tailgate party ahead of the CFL West Final at Princess Auto Stadium on Nov. 9, 2024. (Zachary Kitchen/CTV News Winnipeg)
Others said they enjoy the community atmosphere.
“It's really nice because you get to see all the Bomber fans cheer and the food here is just amazing,” another Bomber fan said. “And I just love being here.”
Whoever wins Saturday's game will advance to the Grey Cup, where they will face the Toronto Argonauts after their 30-28 win against the Montreal Alouettes.
The CFL Western Final kicks off at 5:30 p.m. CT at Princess Auto Stadium.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Donald Trump picks former U.S. congressman Pete Hoekstra as ambassador to Canada
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has nominated former diplomat and U.S. congressman Pete Hoekstra to be the American ambassador to Canada.
Genetic evidence backs up COVID-19 origin theory that pandemic started in seafood market
A group of researchers say they have more evidence to suggest the COVID-19 pandemic started in a Chinese seafood market where it spread from infected animals to humans. The evidence is laid out in a recent study published in Cell, a scientific journal, nearly five years after the first known COVID-19 outbreak.
This is how much money you need to make to buy a house in Canada's largest cities
The average salary needed to buy a home keeps inching down in cities across Canada, according to the latest data.
'My two daughters were sleeping': London Ont. family in shock after their home riddled with gunfire
A London father and son they’re shocked and confused after their home was riddled with bullets while young children were sleeping inside.
Smuggler arrested with 300 tarantulas strapped to his body
Police in Peru have arrested a man caught trying to leave the country with 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes and nine bullet ants strapped to his body.
Boissonnault out of cabinet to 'focus on clearing the allegations,' Trudeau announces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced embattled minister Randy Boissonnault is out of cabinet.
Baby dies after being reported missing in midtown Toronto: police
A four-month-old baby is dead after what Toronto police are calling a “suspicious incident” at a Toronto Community Housing building in the city’s midtown area on Wednesday afternoon.
Sask. woman who refused to provide breath sample did not break the law, court finds
A Saskatchewan woman who refused to provide a breath sample after being stopped by police in Regina did not break the law – as the officer's request was deemed not lawful given the circumstances.
Parole board reverses decision and will allow families of Paul Bernardo's victims to attend upcoming parole hearing in person
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo will be allowed to attend the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) says.