A bill that would allow tailgating at Saskatchewan Roughriders games next season has passed its final vote in the provincial legislature and has been given Royal Assent.
Lieutenant-Governor Bernadette McIntyre signed off on the Tailgating Act on Thursday, officially bringing it into law. It will come into force once all necessary regulatory amendments are made.
The bill, which was proposed by the government in October with vocal support from the Riders, amends the province’s Alcohol Control Regulations to allow fans to prepare their own food and enjoy their own alcoholic beverages in the parking lot adjacent to the Mosaic Stadium prior to home games.
Each tailgating permit will cost $500 and includes two parking spaces in order to accommodate a full setup. In February, the Roughriders allowed season-ticket holders to enter a lottery for tailgating spaces. Successful applicants are expected to be contacted in April.
The Roughriders indicated that this “new initiative will allow fans to enjoy a safe and responsible tailgating experience on game days.” The club also said the tailgating area may grow with expanded capacity and additional public access in future seasons.
Saskatchewan averaged 28,427 in attendance for their home games in 2025, an increase of 2.7 percent over last season. Legal tailgating already exists in several CFL cities, including Calgary and Edmonton.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders kept most of their big names in free agency but still suffered some key losses, including quarterback Jake Maier (Ottawa Redblacks), receiver Tommy Nield (Winnipeg Blue Bombers), defensive lineman Malik Carney (Edmonton Elks), linebacker A.J. Allen (Ottawa Redblacks), and strong-side linebacker C.J. Reavis (Ottawa Redblacks). Micah Johnson retired to become the team’s defensive line coach, while receiver Dohnte Meyers departed for an NFL shot with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Roughriders hold the ninth overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Saskatchewan will play its first preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders on Monday, May 18 and its first regular-season game against the B.C. Lions on Saturday, June 13.
In 2025, Saskatchewan finished first in the West Division standings with a 12-6 record. The team went on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, marking the club’s first championship in 12 years.
