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.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau says fall of Assad 'ends decades of brutal oppression' for Syria
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a new chapter for Syria can begin that's free of terrorism and suffering for its people.
Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad?
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader of the insurgency in Syria, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing to ties to al-Qaida.
Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible
Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as U.S. president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office.
Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip
Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend.
Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police
Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton.
Do you recognize these men? RCMP seek Metro Vancouver grandparent scam suspects
Mounties in Metro Vancouver have released photos of two men alleged to have been involved in “numerous” so-called grandparent scams earlier this year, hoping the public can help identify them.
Pantone names its colour of the year for 2025
Pantone has named an 'evocative soft brown' its colour of the year for 2025, continuing a tradition that has now run for more than a quarter of a century.
Ousted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media say
Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, Russian media reported, hours after a stunning rebel advance took over the capital of Damascus and ended the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule.
A man, a bike and a gun: Police search for evidence to solve the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO on the streets of New York
As the investigation into the fatal shooting of a health care executive in Manhattan enters its fifth day, police are missing key pieces of evidence and are combing through what they have gathered for more clues, as the suspect remains on the run.
Regina
-
Sask. RCMP arrest 1 suspect in White Bear First Nation killing, 1 still at large
Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested one suspect in connection to the Dec. 3rd death of Talon Lonethunder on White Bear First Nation. The remaining suspect in the killing remains at large.
-
Trudeau says fall of Assad 'ends decades of brutal oppression' for Syria
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a new chapter for Syria can begin that's free of terrorism and suffering for its people.
-
Regina holiday market booming as vendors encourage local shopping amid postal strike
The holidays are the busiest time of year for countless businesses, but many Regina vendors are hoping Christmas shoppers will come to them this year amid ongoing job action at Canada Post.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon under winter storm warning with freezing rain, heavy snow forecasted
A winter storm warning has been issued for the city of Saskatoon and parts of west central Saskatchewan by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
-
No injuries reported following semi rollover on Sask. highway
Battlefords RCMP were on the scene of a single semi rollover on Highway 16 between Delmas and North Battleford Sunday afternoon.
-
Sask. RCMP arrest 1 suspect in White Bear First Nation killing, 1 still at large
Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested one suspect in connection to the Dec. 3rd death of Talon Lonethunder on White Bear First Nation. The remaining suspect in the killing remains at large.
Edmonton
-
Drivers face slippery road conditions east of Edmonton into Saskatchewan
Freezing rain, snow and plummeting temperatures on Sunday in east-central Alberta are making road conditions slippery.
-
Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police
Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton.
-
McDavid, Skinner help Oilers beat Blues 4-2
Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist and Leon Draisaitl had two helpers as the Edmonton Oilers won their second game in a row, defeating the St. Louis Blues 4-2 on Saturday.
Calgary
-
Kiwanis Club and Toys ‘R’ Us team up to give hundreds of kids Christmas gifts
Northmount Kiwanis Club of Calgary invited 500 kids to Toys "R" Us for its annual Toy Project Sunday.
-
Calgary police stage checkstop on National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day
Calgary police launched their first holiday checkstop Saturday night on Stoney Trail.
-
Calgarians flocking to markets with local vendors for Christmas Shopping
As Christmas is on the horizon, Calgarians headed to the markets across the city on Saturday to get some shopping done while also supporting local businesses.
Toronto
-
Ontario saw the highest number of whooping cough cases in the last 17 years: report
The number of whooping cough cases in Ontario this year has reached a level that hasn't been seen in 17 years.
-
Car crash sends at least 2 to hospital and leaves debris on Mississauga Road
At least two people were taken to the hospital after their vehicle crashed into a pole near Winston Churchill Boulevard at Derry Road overnight.
-
Hwy. 401 westbound shut down in Ajax due to police investigation
The westbound lanes of Hwy. 401 have been closed in Ajax due to a police investigation.
Ottawa
-
Man, 99, still at work 7 decades after opening eastern Ontario Christmas tree farm
This weekend is one of the busiest of the year for Christmas tree farms all over the region, as the holidays approach and people start decorating their trees.
-
Woman dead, 2 injured in Lanark Highlands crash
A woman has died and two people were injured after a single-vehicle crash in Lanark Highlands on Saturday afternoon, according to Ontario Provincial Police.
-
Ottawa driver hits the road impaired despite winter driving conditions: OPP
An Ottawa driver has been charged with impaired driving after he "chose to drink and drive” Saturday night, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Montreal
-
Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip
Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend.
-
Just for Laughs founder’s sexual assault retrial starts Monday
Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon will be back in court on Monday for accusations of sexual assault and rape.
-
Rosemont family event Shake La Cabane cancelled after pricing policy backlash
A community centre in Montreal's Rosemont neighbourhood cancelled a family event that was meant to take place Sunday after its pricing policy sparked a heated debate.
Atlantic
-
The 61st Annual Christmas Daddies Telethon raises more than $559,000 for children in need
The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon continued its proud Maritime tradition, raising more than $559,000 for children in need on Saturday.
-
Federal Government announces more than $1 billion to meet New Brunswick’s electrical needs
Natural Resources Canada announced it will spend more than $1 billion for the province of New Brunswick to meet growing electricity demands in a news release Sunday.
-
Animals find new homes during holiday open house at Dartmouth, N.S., shelter
An animal shelter in Dartmouth, N.S., held its holiday open house Sunday to encourage adoption and thank the community for its support.
Vancouver
-
End of the Eras Tour, with Taylor Swift to take final bow in Vancouver
After 149 shows, an estimated US$2 billion in revenue and countless outfit changes, Taylor Swift takes to the stage tonight in Vancouver for the final show of her record-smashing Eras Tour.
-
Here’s when parking passes are required for Mount Seymour
People visiting Mount Seymour Provincial Park during the peak winter season will need to book a parking spot in advance, starting on Dec. 12.
-
Do you recognize these men? RCMP seek Metro Vancouver grandparent scam suspects
Mounties in Metro Vancouver have released photos of two men alleged to have been involved in “numerous” so-called grandparent scams earlier this year, hoping the public can help identify them.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. NDP provincial director hospitalized after 'serious medical emergency'
The former B.C. NDP MLA for Chilliwack and newly appointed provincial director, Dan Coulter, is in hospital after suffering a “serious medical emergency,” according to the party.
-
Prince George Taylor Swift fans rent car after flight to Vancouver cancelled
A diehard Taylor Swift fan who lives in Prince George, B.C., says a flight cancellation forced her and a group of other Swifties to rent a car and make the near 800-kilometre journey to Vancouver to catch the last dates of the Eras Tour.
-
Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says
A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction."
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
N.L.
-
Not just for your parents: Facebook's buy-and-sell platform drawing back millennials
The two-metre-tall anchor, believed to be from a century-old shipwreck, was salvaged by a fisherman in the 1980s. But last year, the 31-year-old Stapleton, who works as a navigation officer on a cargo ship, snapped it up on Facebook Marketplace.
-
'Kids are scared': Random attacks have residents of small-city N.L. shaken
Mount Pearl, near St. John's, has been the scene for three random attacks in November. Police have arrested and charged seven youth.
-
'They're sitting ducks:' More women with disabilities unhoused due to abuse, violence
New data show women with disabilities are more likely to be forced into homelessness because of violence or abuse.
Northern Ontario
-
Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says
A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction."
-
Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released
The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023.
-
How the combination of diapers and splash pads led to 10K illnesses
New research is raising concerns about the safety of splash pads, which can be ground zero for germs and greatly increase the risk of spreading disease.
Barrie
-
Pair of sleeping drivers charged in drug bust
Two drivers are facing charges after they were allegedly found sleeping in their respective vehicles and possessing a quantity drugs Saturday afternoon in Waubaushene.
-
Driver charged after sliding onto someone’s lawn: OPP
Caledon OPP charged a driver after they allegedly slid their vehicle onto someone’s front lawn earlier this week.
-
Small community hosts 27th annual Santa parade
Simcoe County saw one of its last Santa Claus parades of the holiday season, as the small community of Anten Mills in Minesing hosted their 27th annual Santa parade Sunday afternoon.
Kitchener
-
Police looking for missing 16-year-old
Waterloo Regional Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 16-year-old.
-
Roof of historic hotel collapses in Bayfield
A week’s worth of heavy snow coupled with rain overnight in Bayfield proved too much for the roof of the historic Albion Hotel.
-
Wet week ahead with rain and snow in southern Ontario's forecast
You’ll want to bundle up and bring along an umbrella when heading out the door this week.
London
-
Roof of historic hotel collapses in Bayfield
A week’s worth of heavy snow coupled with rain overnight in Bayfield proved too much for the roof of the historic Albion Hotel.
-
'They’re going through hell': TLC Foundation treats children with cancer to free shopping spree
The TLC Foundation invited over 200 children from southwestern Ontario to Toys R Us in London, Ont. for a free shopping spree.
-
On the Bright Side with Julie Atchison
To brighten your week with good news, CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison is showing us the sunny side of things.
