CFL cancels Roughriders' Friday night home game versus Stampeders, postponed to Saturday afternoon
What was most likely the most anticipated game of the 2025 CFL season, will have to wait another day.
The Canadian Football League (CFL) postponed Friday night's Saskatchewan Roughriders, Calgary Stampeders matchup at Mosaic Stadium to Saturday due to poor air quality.
Kickoff is now scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday.
'Rider Nation, you are truly amazing,' the Riders said in a social media post. 'Throughout the day, the CFL and Roughriders monitored air quality with the help of in-house meteorologists and forecasting models. Those forecasts indicated the smoke would clear, and the air quality would be at an acceptable level to play football.'
'Unfortunately, the wind died down and it is not currently an acceptable level to play,' the statement added.
The announcement coming after more than a three and a half hour delay due to heavy smoke which descended on Regina Friday from wildfires in the province's north.
According to the CFL, games will be stopped if the in-stadium monitored air quality health index (AQI) reaches eight or above during warmups or the game.
Throughout the afternoon and into Friday evening, the AQI was recorded at 10-plus, or extreme risk.
Kickoff for the Week 6 matchup was originally scheduled for 7 p.m., but at 5:30 p.m. the Canadian Football League (CFL) announced the game would be delayed to begin at 7:45 p.m.
Then at 7:30 p.m., the league pushed the start time again.
'Air quality continues to improve but has not yet reached a level considered safe for play,' the CFL said at the time. 'As a result, the start of the game remains delayed. Once it is safe for players to begin warming up, kickoff will take place 30 minutes later.'
UPDATE:
Air quality continues to improve, but has not yet reached a level considered safe for play. As a result, the start of the game remains delayed. Once it is safe for players to begin warming up, kickoff will take place 30 minutes later. We will provide an update as soon as… — CFL Communications (@CFL_PR) July 12, 2025
Thousands of fans waited for the next two and half hours for the next update from the league.
At 10 p.m., the CFL – in consultation with both teams – announced the latest the game would start was 11:15 p.m., if the air quality improved.
The smoke did not clear enough for play to begin.
According to the Riders, tickets purchased for Friday's game will be valid for Saturday afternoon's game.
'More details will be sent via email,' the Riders said. 'Once again, we are thankful for your passion for our club and that you have stuck out with us all evening.'
Saskatchewan headed into Week 6 of the season atop the West Division with a 4-0 record, but Calgary may be their toughest challenge yet.
The Stampeders (3-1) sits second place in the division, just two points back of the Riders in first.
The winner of the game will earn the top spot in the division headed into Week 7.
- With files from Drew Postey.
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