Riders Report Financial Loss Following Increased Grey Cup Spending, Postponed Game
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have reported a financial loss for the 2025 season, according to team officials. The loss is attributed to higher-than-expected costs associated with hosting the Grey Cup and a postponed home game that significantly reduced ticket revenue.
Grey Cup Costs and Postponement Impact
The Roughriders spent approximately $4 million more than budgeted on Grey Cup festivities, including infrastructure upgrades and security. Additionally, a regular-season home game was postponed due to severe weather, resulting in an estimated $1.5 million loss in ticket sales and concessions. Team president Craig Reynolds stated, "We knew hosting the Grey Cup would be a significant investment, but the combination of increased costs and the postponed game created a perfect storm for our finances."
Financial Details and Future Plans
The team's financial report, released on June 23, 2026, showed a net loss of $2.8 million for the 2025 fiscal year, compared to a profit of $1.2 million the previous year. Revenue from Grey Cup-related events totaled $8.5 million, but expenses reached $12.5 million. The postponed game, originally scheduled for October, was moved to November, leading to lower attendance due to colder weather. Reynolds added, "We are reviewing our budgeting processes and will work with the league to mitigate such risks in the future."
Community and League Response
The CFL expressed support for the Roughriders, noting that host cities often face unforeseen costs. Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said, "The Riders are a cornerstone of our league, and we will assist them in recovering from this setback." Fans have voiced mixed reactions, with some praising the team's effort to host a successful Grey Cup and others criticizing the financial management.
