What you need to know about the Grey Cup Festival
The 2022 Grey Cup Festival Kicks off in Regina on Nov. 16. (Source: 2022 Grey Cup Festival)
The festivities for the sold out 109th Grey Cup game in Regina are about to begin. Here is what you need to know about this week’s Grey Cup Festival in the Queen City.
The festival is set to run from Nov. 16 to Nov. 20, with five days full of events and fun opportunities for CFL fans in Regina.
NOV. 16
HIGHWAY 11 CUP RUN
The Grey Cup will be transported from Saskatoon to Regina on a five hour journey down Highway 11.
The convoy will be made up of Saskatoon Police Service members, Saskatchewan RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces personnel.
Indigenous leaders will accompany the cup on its trip, as it crosses from Treaty 6 to Treaty 4 territory.
The cup will leave Saskatoon at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, and is set to arrive in Regina at 4:30 p.m.
SIRIUSXM KICKOFF PARTY
The free, all-ages event will begin at 5 p.m. and will officially launch the 2022 Grey Cup Festival and welcome the CFL championship trophy to the Queen City.
Saskatchewan raised and Juno-award winning singer Colin James is set to headline the kickoff party.
The celebration offers visitors of all ages to experience Riderville before it becomes a 19-years and older venue the next day.
The party is set to be held in the Viterra International Trade Centre at 1700 Elphinstone Street.
NOV. 16 – NOV. 19
SASKTEL DIGITAL ZONE
Described as “a fun, interactive way to get your game on” the Sasktel Digital Zone provides visitors video games with interactive technology and sports experiences.
Among the attractions are a virtual field goal kicking competition, a head to head stage, an augmented reality photo booth as well as a “V/R-cade” which offers everything from augmented reality dodgeball to a robot soccer match.
The venue will be held in the International Trade Centre from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 16 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Nov. 17 to Nov. 19.
NOV. 17
2022 CFL PLAYER AWARDS
The event honouring the best performers of the 2022 CFL season will be hosted by TSN sportscaster Kate Beirness in Regina.
Tickets for the event cost $194.25. The reception is set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Conexus Arts Centre, with the event officially beginning at 7 p.m.
NOV. 17 – NOV. 19
‘PATHS TO GLORY’ E-SPORTS TOURNAMENT
The Brandt Centre will host over 200 professional e-sports athletes as they face off to win the largest prize pool ever offered for Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
Visitors can try the game for themselves for free on Thursday before the tournament gets underway on Friday and Saturday.
The competition features winners from the nine lead-up events representing CFL markets from across Canada.
Times: Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
NEXGEN ENERGY DRONE SHOW
The skies above the Grey Cup Festival will be illuminated by a nightly drone show.
The event at Confederation Park will be lit up by 300 drones working in formation to create a light show. According to the festival, it will be the largest drone show ever flown in Canada.
The shows will last for around 10 minutes, with the drones set to create a depiction of Turtle Island before highlighting all nine CFL teams and the Grey Cup itself.
The free nightly events are set to begin at 9 p.m.
TEAM PARTY ROOMS
Six party rooms will be available in the REAL District, representing eight CFL teams along with the Atlantic Schooners.
Most of the team party rooms will be located in the Cooperators Centre with the exception of Riderville, which will take place in the International Trade Centre.
A day pass will cost visitors $50, while a three day pass of $104 will cover admission to all six party rooms for each day they are open.
Admission to each room is strictly 19-years and older.
NEXGEN ENERGY STREET FESTIVAL
Described as a giant outdoor playground, the Nexgen Energy Street Festival offers four days of family friendly activities like games, warm up stations, shows from the Harvard Community Stage as well as the SaskPower Tube Slide.
The free street festival will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Confederation Park.
SASKPOWER FAMILY FAIR
An indoor, family focused interactive area will be provided for those who are younger and young at heart, according to the festival.
The free area will house obstacle courses, bouncy castles and a selfie boutique.
The Family Fair will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Affinityflex building.
HUDDLE IN THE HEARTLAND
Huddle in the Heartland is a youth football area that will offer programming to grow the game of football and teach children who are new to it.
Programming will include player led drills, position breakdowns and interactive skills competitions with a live leaderboard.
The free event is an extension of the Family Fair and will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
GAINER’S HEARTLAND
The Gainer’s Heartland event promises to transport visitors to the ‘Heart of Saskatchewan.’
The family friendly space offers festival goers a relaxed venue to connect and many local food vendors as well as opportunities to explore Saskatchewan’s Indigenous roots.
Activities such as photo booths, face painting, hair braiding, colouring stations and many more will be available.
Complimentary Grey Cup scarves will be offered.
The area is also set to be visited by Saskatchewan's favourite gopher.
NOV. 18
CFL COMMISIONER STATE OF THE LEAGUE ADDRESS
The free event will see CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie provide an update on the direction of the Canadian Football League.
Ambrosie will also be available to take questions from fans.
The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the International Trade Centre.
CFL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LEGENDS LUNCHEON
The ‘fan-favourite event’ at the Queensbury Convention Centre includes a meal, silent auction, live auction, and heads-or-tails fundraiser that runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie and the Grey Cup will also be in attendance.
Guests to the event will be able to hear first-hand stories from CFL alumni.
The Alumnus of the Year Award and the Indigenous Champion Award will also be presented at event.
CFL alumni members will be seated at every table. The Grey Cup Festival promises visitors a “memorable, up-close-and-personal experience for the die-hard CFL fan.”
Admission to the event will cost visitors $157.
NOV. 18 – NOV. 19
CALGARY GREY CUP COMMITTEE PANCAKE BREAKFAST
A free, pancake breakfast will be provided at Confederation Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event is put on by the Calgary Grey Cup Committee. The organization promises to put on a “kicken stampede breakfast” for all those who attend.
NOV. 19
CHEER EXTRAVAGANZA
20 cheer teams from across Canada will show off their skills at the Cheer Extravaganza at the Brandt Centre on Friday.
The event, running from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. is set to feature baton teams, dancers, cheerleaders and more.
Admission is listed as $20 for adults, while youth under 14-years of age get in free when accompanied by an adult.
The event is rush seating and organizers encourage visitors to arrive early to ensure they get the best seats.
CANADIANA GALA
The Friday night Canadiana Gala will be held in the Queensbury Convention Centre at 6 p.m.
The event is described as a family-style sit down meal. The Juno award winning band The Road Hammers will provide entertainment.
Admission is listed as $295.
NOV. 20
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TAILGATE PARTIES
For game day, both indoor and outdoor tailgate parties are set to be offered.
The indoor tailgate in the International Trade Centre will cost visitors admission of $104, while the outdoor event is free with a ticket to the 109th Grey Cup game.
The Saskatchewan country music band The Hunter Brothers will provide entertainment for the indoor tailgate prior to kickoff on Sunday.
Both events will run from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
THE 109TH GREY CUP GAME
The festivities come to an end with the 109th Grey Cup game, set to begin on Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.
More information on the activities of the 2022 Grey Cup Festival can be found on its website.
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