Party on the prairies
The 2025 Grey Cup party is hitting the road as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced a province-wide tour during a news conference Thursday at Princess Auto Stadium.
The Access Credit Union Grey Cup Tour will make 40 stops across the province beginning May 4 at the Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon and concluding in October.
The tour will include games and activities for all ages, as well as giveaways including a pair of tickets to the 2025 Grey Cup in Winnipeg. Certain stops will offer complimentary youth tickets to a Blue Bombers regular-season game, with the purchase of an adult ticket.
John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Blue Bombers fans from across the province will have a chance to celebrate the Grey Cup coming to Winnipeg this November with the Grey Cup Tour stopping in 40 Manitoba communities.
Wade Miller, president and chief executive officer of the Winnipeg Football Club, said the tour is an opportunity to grow the game outside of the city.
'Everyone will get to experience what a Grey Cup Festival is like in our province,' said Miller. 'Our team is so excited to get out through the province and get the Grey Cup Festival kicked off.'
Nellie Kennedy, minister of sport, culture, heritage and tourism, said the province will invest $5.5 million in support of Grey Cup events.
'Hosting the game and festival here in Winnipeg will also deliver major economic benefits, attracting visitors to our beautiful city and supporting local businesses,' Kennedy said.
Naline Rampersad, press secretary and officer of the minister of environment and climate change, said the province estimates the 2025 Grey Cup will generate $90 million for Manitoba's economy.
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On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
The Blue Bombers led the CFL in attendance the past three seasons. Miller said support for the Bombers throughout the province is exceptional, and the tour is a chance to give back.
'The Grey Cup is massive — the largest sporting event in Canada,' said Miller. 'This tour is important to us that we bring it to everywhere in Manitoba.'
The Bombers have appeared in the last five Grey Cups, winning two. Miller said hosting the Grey Cup this year won't change the way they operate.
'We want to win every year. It doesn't matter whether it's here or somewhere else,' he said. 'That's all that matters — winning every year.'
The tour schedule is available on the official website of the Grey Cup Festival.
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