Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a professional Canadian football team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They play in the Canadian Football League and are part of the West Division. The team started in 1910 as the Regina Rugby Club and is the fourth-oldest professional gridiron football team in the world. Only the Arizona Cardinals, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Toronto Argonauts are older.

The Roughriders changed their name to the Regina Roughriders in 1924 and became the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1946. For many years, they played at historic Taylor Field until moving to the new Mosaic Stadium in 2017.

Fans of the team, called the Rider Nation, come from all over Saskatchewan and Canada. Even though they play in one of the smallest markets in North America (only Green Bay, Wisconsin is smaller), the Roughriders have been successful. They have won the Western championship 29 times and have appeared in the Grey Cup 20 times, winning it five times.

The team has many talented players who have been honored by being placed in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Their biggest rival is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and games between the two teams are very popular. Regina has hosted the Grey Cup four times and will host it again in 2027.

Team facts

• Formerly known as: Regina Rugby Club 1910–1923, Regina Roughriders 1924–1947
• Past uniform colours: Old gold and purple (1910), blue and white (1911), red and black (1912–1947)
• Fight Song: "Green Is The Colour", "On Roughriders" and "Rider Pride"
• Main rivals: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (see Labour Day Classic and Banjo Bowl), Calgary Stampeders
• Western Division 1st Place: 9–1951, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1976, 2009, 2019, 2025
• Western Division Championships: 29–1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1919, 1920, 1923, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1936, 1951, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1976, 1989, 1997, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2025
• Grey Cup Championships: 5—(/wiki/54th_Grey_Cup), (/wiki/77th_Grey_Cup), (/wiki/95th_Grey_Cup), (/wiki/101st_Grey_Cup), (/wiki/112th_Grey_Cup)

Community ownership

The Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club started in 1910 and became official in 1940. It is a non-profit group in Saskatchewan. The Roughriders are one of two teams in the Canadian Football League owned by the community. The other team is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Before 2004, the team had no owners.

Since 2004, the Roughriders have sold Membership Shares to fans. There are two types: Class A shares, which have voting rights, and Class B shares, which do not. By March 2019, the team had sold many shares, but the exact number of owners is not public. These shares cannot be resold, and no one can own more than 20 voting shares. The money from selling shares helps the team.

The Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation started in 2019. It raises money to support education, health, and amateur football, helping young people learn important skills.

History

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a professional Canadian football team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They play in the Canadian Football League in the West Division. The team started in 1910 as the Regina Rugby Club.

The Roughriders have a long history with many changes in their name, colors, and home stadium. They have had times of great success, including winning the Grey Cup several times. The team has also faced challenges but has always come back stronger.

The Roughriders have been led by many talented players and coaches, creating a strong sense of community and pride among their fans.

Popularity

Fan support

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have many fans and are very popular. In 2009, they had the most fans in the Canadian Football League. People love the team so much that many fans travel to watch away games. In 1995, a record number of fans watched a game at Taylor Field when the team played against the Calgary Stampeders. Fans often wear fun costumes, like watermelon helmets, to show their support.

Fundraisers

Fans have helped the team by taking part in fundraisers. From 1986 to 2018, a lottery called the Friends of the Riders Touchdown Lottery raised money for the team. This helped the team during tough financial times. In 1987 and 1997, fans also helped by joining telethons to raise money to keep the team running.

Section 28

Section 28 was a special area in the stands at Taylor Field. It was known for having very loyal fans who stood the whole game and cheered loudly. It was originally a cheap seat for university students from Saskatchewan, but it became famous for its energetic fans until Taylor Field closed in 2016.

Fight and theme songs

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have special songs they play at their games. Two of their main songs are "Rider Pride" and "Paint the Whole World Green." After each touchdown, they play a song called "Green Is the Colour." During the fourth quarter break, fans enjoy "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" by The Arrogant Worms, and the team’s cheerleaders lead everyone in a fun stretch. Many other songs celebrate the team, and some are well-known in Western Canada. The music at Mosaic Stadium includes many popular songs that everyone knows and loves.

Mascots

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have a special mascot named Gainer the Gopher. He first appeared in 1977 and was updated in 2019. The name "Gainer" is a mix-up of the word "Regina," which is where the team is from. Gainer is a gopher, a type of squirrel that lives on the Canadian Prairies.

Radio

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have radio broadcasts all over the province through the The Co-operators Roughrider Football Network. CKRM in Regina is the main station. Other stations include CFWD-FM in Saskatoon, CJGX in Yorkton, CKBI in Prince Albert, CJNB in North Battleford, and CJNS-FM in Meadow Lake. CKRM's strong signal helps fans across the province enjoy the games.

Famous voices of the Roughriders include Dave Dryburgh, John Badham, Rod Peterson, and Derek Taylor. In 2022, Michael “Ballsy” Ball became the new announcer, and in 2024, Dave Thomas took over the role.

Current roster

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have a team of players. They play in the Canadian Football League. The players work together in games and practices to represent the team.

Current coaches and directors

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have coaches and directors who help the players and manage the team. They work together to get the team ready for each game and to help players improve. The coaches and directors are important for the team's success.

Management

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have had many leaders over the years. Important head coaches include Ken Preston, Frank Filchock, Eagle Keys, and Craig Dickenson. These coaches helped guide the team.

The team also had many general managers, like Clair Warner, Ken Preston, and Brendan Taman. They made big decisions. The current president and CEO is Craig Reynolds, who has been in that role since 2015.

Players of note

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have many important players and people who have helped the team. Some players have had their numbers retired to honor them. Others have been added to the Plaza of Honour for their big contributions to the team.

The Plaza of Honour started in 1987 and includes many players, coaches, and others who have supported the team from 1987 to 2023. Some recent honorees include Wendy Kelly and the 2013 Grey Cup Championship Team in 2023, and Weston Dressler, Mike McCullough, and Ken Miller in 2022.

Many members of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame have also played or worked for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Recent regular season and playoff results

Season-by-season records

1990s

Legend:
F = Points scored For, A = Points scored Against

* For the 1995 Season, all 8 Canadian teams were in the Northern Division.

Danny Barrett era

* From 2000 to 2002, the CFL gave a single point to teams that lost in overtime. The Riders had two such losses in the 2002 season.

Ken Miller era

Corey Chamblin era