The scent of rain-soaked turf mingles with anticipation as I walk across the practice field in Vancouver. Players from the Saskatchewan Roughriders run through their final drills before Sunday’s championship showdown, their breath visible in the crisp November air. After a season of dramatic comebacks and heartbreaking losses, the 111th Grey Cup has arrived – pitting the Roughriders against the defending champion Montreal Alouettes in what promises to be a classic Canadian football finale.
“This is what you dream about as a kid,” Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris tells me, adjusting his practice jersey after completing a series of passing drills. “To be back in this position, especially after everything we’ve been through this year – it means everything to us and to Rider Nation.”
The Roughriders’ journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward. After starting the season 4-0, they stumbled through a challenging mid-season stretch before finding their rhythm again in October. Their playoff run included a stunning West Semi-Final victory over BC and an upset win against Winnipeg in the West Final.
Across the field, the Montreal Alouettes carry themselves with the quiet confidence of defending champions. Head coach Jason Maas oversees his team’s walkthrough with methodical precision. The Alouettes haven’t lost since August 31 – a remarkable nine-game winning streak that has positioned them as slight favorites despite Saskatchewan’s momentum.
When I visited Regina earlier this season, the passion of Saskatchewan’s fanbase was palpable. Green jerseys dominated downtown streets, local businesses displayed team support in windows, and conversations inevitably turned to the team’s prospects. That community connection has followed them to Vancouver, where thousands of Rider fans have transformed parts of the city into a sea of green.
“The relationship between this team and Saskatchewan is unlike anything else in North American sports,” explains Rob Vanstone, longtime sports columnist for the Regina Leader-Post. “The Roughriders aren’t just a football team – they’re woven into the cultural fabric of the province. When they play in a Grey Cup, it becomes a provincial holiday.”
The Alouettes, meanwhile, represent a remarkable turnaround story. Just two years ago, the team was in such financial disarray that the CFL temporarily took ownership before Anthony Calvillo and Pierre Karl PĂ©ladeau purchased the franchise. Last year’s championship was their first since 2010, and a second consecutive title would cement their status as the league’s newest dynasty.
Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo adds another compelling storyline. The former Roughrider was essentially cast aside by Saskatchewan after the 2022 season, only to find redemption in Montreal. When I speak with him after practice, he’s diplomatic but candid.
“I’ll always appreciate my time in Saskatchewan,” Fajardo says, “but finding a home in Montreal has been incredible. Our team chemistry is special. We believe in each other, and that’s what matters most in championship games.”
Statistics from the 2024 season suggest a tightly contested battle. According to CFL data, the Alouettes boasted the league’s stingiest defense, allowing just 19.7 points per game during the regular season. The Roughriders countered with an opportunistic offense that averaged 28.3 points per game, second only to Toronto.
What makes this matchup particularly intriguing is the contrast in styles. Saskatchewan thrives on explosive plays, with receivers Samuel Emilus and Shawn Bane Jr. averaging over 15 yards per reception. Montreal, meanwhile, relies on a suffocating defense and methodical offense that minimizes mistakes and controls time of possession.
The weather may play a significant factor as well. Environment Canada forecasts call for periods of rain and temperatures around 8°C at BC Place Stadium – conditions that typically favor ball control and strong ground games. Both teams have been practicing with wet footballs this week in preparation.
“Weather is always a factor in championship games,” Roughriders head coach Corey Mace acknowledges. “But we’ve played in all conditions this season. Our guys are ready for whatever Sunday brings.”
For communities across Saskatchewan, this game transcends sport. In Moosomin, a small town 225 kilometers east of Regina, the local theater is hosting a Grey Cup viewing party expected to draw hundreds from surrounding areas. Similar gatherings will happen in community centers, Legion halls, and living rooms across the province.
The economic impact extends beyond team revenues. According to a report from the Vancouver Grey Cup Festival Committee, the event is expected to generate approximately $100 million in economic activity for the host city, with hotels at near-capacity and restaurants booking Grey Cup specials throughout the weekend.
As Saturday’s practices conclude, both teams appear loose yet focused. Players sign autographs for fans who’ve gathered to catch a glimpse of their heroes. Children in oversized jerseys clutch footballs and smartphones, hoping for a signature or selfie to commemorate the moment.
Standing on the sideline, I’m reminded of what makes the Grey Cup so special in our national landscape. It’s not just the game itself, but the community it creates – a uniquely Canadian celebration that bridges geographic, linguistic, and cultural differences through a shared passion for our version of football.
When the teams take the field Sunday evening, they’ll be playing for more than a trophy. They’ll be adding another chapter to a 111-year sporting tradition that continues to unite us, even as so much else in our world grows increasingly divided.
The Grey Cup isn’t just a championship game – it’s a national heritage moment that unfolds anew each November. And regardless of whether Saskatchewan’s green or Montreal’s blue emerges victorious, the real winner will be a Canadian football tradition that remains as vibrant and meaningful as ever.
