What fans should know before the Blue Bombers’ season opener Thursday
The CFL season is almost here, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be kicking off the 2021 season on Thursday against the Hamilton Ti-Cats.
It has been a long time coming for Bombers' fans, but there are some changes people need to know about.
For those who drive to the games, the team is suggesting people park on the University of Manitoba campus as there will be road work happening around the stadium on Chancellor Matheson and traffic will be reduced to two lanes in either direction.
Bombers' President and CEO, Wade Miller, is encouraging people to arrive early, as it will take some extra time for everyone to get in because fans will have to present their vaccine card, photo I.D. and their ticket.
"It will take a little longer. We encourage everyone to come early. We've opened the gates up earlier, so 6 p.m.," said Miller.
If people are hoping to avoid traffic, they can hop on the bus at one of the city's five Park and Ride locations.
The locations include McPhillips Station at 484 McPhillips St., Club Regent at 1425 Regent Ave. West, St. Vital Centre at 86–1225 St. Mary's Rd., St. Norbert Hotel at 3540 Pembina Highway and Assiniboia Downs at 3975 Portage Ave. Each person riding the bus will be charged $5 and it will cover the ride to and from the game.
The first bus will be leaving two hours before kickoff and people will be required to wear masks.
Winnipeg Transit will also be available for those attending the game, as the new Blue Rapid Transit line will get fans to the stadium.
The two pickup locations will be Seel Station Park and Ride at 1550 Seel Ave. and Clarence Station Park and Ride at 1240 Clarence Ave.
The normal transit fee of $3.05 will apply and people must wear masks while on Winnipeg Transit.
Ride-sharing vehicles and taxis will be available for pickup outside of Gate 1 when the game is over.
If people are wanting to buy season passes for either parking near the stadium or the Park and Ride program, they can do so online through their Winnipeg Blue Bombers Account Manager.
Once people are inside the gate, Miller said everyone will be required to wear masks for any of the indoor venues, and IG Field will be a cashless stadium.
He also noted people should be in their seats before 7:30 p.m.
"Be in your seats for 7:30 p.m. as the championship banner will be unveiled and also prior to the championship banner unveiling, we will be raising the Metis flag and the Treaty One flag for the first time at IG Field."
Miller said they are expecting over 30,000 fans to attend the game, noting that tickets are still available for people to purchase.
"It's going to be great, our players are excited. It's just going to be a great atmosphere to be a part of in the stadium and just so excited for our fans to get back. It's been a long time."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.