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Four hours before kickoff, the football hadn’t started yet, but for hundreds of Saskatchewan Roughriders fans gathered outside Mosaic Stadium, game day was already well underway.
Barbecues sizzled. Lawn games were set up. Coolers were opened. Fans in green jerseys, custom suits and even a lion costume wandered through rows of tailgate setups Saturday as the Roughriders hosted their first official tailgate party ahead of the home opener against the B.C. Lions.
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For many fans, it was something they had been waiting years to see.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Avery Andreas, who attended with a group of friends from across Saskatchewan.
“I think as Rider fans, we love getting together and socializing, and this is the greatest place to do it. Everybody can just kind of let their hair down and have some fun, meet new people, make new friends.”
The tailgate marked a historic first for the franchise after changes to provincial regulations paved the way for organized tailgating at Mosaic Stadium.
The Roughriders created 200 tailgate spots in a parking lot south of the Brandt Centre, with fans bringing everything from barbecues and tents to custom-built lawn games and Rider memorabilia.
Paul Van Betuw stands beside a table filled with Rider memorabilia and giveaway prizes during the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ first official tailgate party before the home opener at Mosaic Stadium. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Paul Van Betuw was among those lucky enough to secure a spot.
“We’ve been waiting for years and years and years,” he said.
“I was very excited. I spent the first night making these cornhole boards, and then there’s just more ideas, more ideas, more ideas.”
Van Betuw’s setup featured burgers, smokies, drinks and even a free prize draw with Rider collectibles, including newspapers commemorating past Grey Cup victories.
For him, the day was about more than football.
“They gotta be the people that are having the most fun, the most laughter, and relaxed,” Van Betuw said of Rider fans.
“It’s all about connecting.”
While many attendees came from Regina and surrounding communities, others travelled much farther.
Brandon Weber, far right, and friends travelled from Alberta to attend the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ first official tailgate party and home opener. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Brandon Weber and his friends made the eight-hour drive from Alberta to take part in the tailgate and watch the Grey Cup championship banner raised before kickoff.
“We all worked eight hours yesterday, and then hit the road for another eight,” Weber said. “So, got here about 1 a.m. last night.”
The group spent months planning its setup, complete with games, food and enough supplies to host visitors throughout the afternoon.
After last year’s Grey Cup victory, Weber said making the trip was an easy decision.
“The culture here in Saskatchewan, it’s unlike anything else in the country,” he said. “They love their football, and we love football, and that’s why we come here.”
Others arrived in style.
Duncan Lamb, seated, of Ituna, brought his vintage 1966 milk truck, painted Rider green, to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ first official tailgate party. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Duncan Lamb drove to Regina from Ituna in a vintage 1966 milk truck painted Rider green.
The truck, which he has transformed into what he calls a “party mobile,” attracted attention throughout the afternoon.
“It’s from 1966, the year we won the first Grey Cup of the organization,” Lamb said.
“She’s a good old milk truck. Souped her up a little bit, put a Bluetooth stereo in, a little bit of subwoofers, and now it’s a party mobile, is basically the best I could describe it as.”
B.C. Lions fan Jim Dewhurst, left, poses with Dave Hanni, better known as the Grey Cup Fun Police, during the Roughriders’ first official tailgate party in Regina. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Not everyone in attendance was cheering for Saskatchewan.
Jim Dewhurst, a Regina resident and B.C. Lions supporter, arrived wearing a lion costume and face paint while posing for photos with Dave Hanni, better known to many CFL fans as the Grey Cup Fun Police.
Despite being surrounded by Rider green, Dewhurst said he felt welcome.
“The food, the smells, the games, everything is great,” he said. “It’s just been very, very welcoming and just a great time.”
As kickoff approached, fans said they were already looking ahead to what tailgating in Saskatchewan could become. Some suggested live music, larger crowds and more games. Others wanted to see the tradition continue to grow.
Stephen Safinuk believes Rider fans will make it their own.
“This is what football tailgating is supposed to be,” he said.
“You got hundreds of people all gathered together for the same experience, have a few drinks, have a good time, and just get loud.”
Saturday’s festivities came before another milestone moment for the franchise: the unveiling of the 2025 Grey Cup championship banner inside Mosaic Stadium.
For fans like Andreas, the combination of the banner raising and Saskatchewan’s first official tailgate party made the day feel special.
“It’s really probably our biggest social event that we have in Saskatchewan,” he said. “We’re dogs about it. We love it.”
