SaskatchewanThe Saskatchewan Roughriders CEO applauds planned tailgating legislation, and says he’ll look beyond Calgary and Edmonton, which prohibit alcohol, to find a model that works for Rider fans.Province to introduce ‘new regulatory framework’ to permit Mosaic Stadium lot by 2026 seasonAlex Kozroski · CBC News · Posted: Oct 24, 2025 2:53 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesFans tailgate before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars last year in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Saskatchewan government says it will be introducing legislation to allow tailgating before Roughriders games in Regina, starting next season. (Steven Senne/AP)Saskatchewan Roughriders fans are now one step closer to legal tailgating, but what that actually looks like will depend on the legislation and liquor regulations.The government teased a new piece of legislation, titled The Tailgating Act, in Wednesday’s throne speech. The act, if approved, would allow for tailgating at Mosaic Stadium before Saskatchewan Roughriders games. Traditionally, tailgating has meant fans being allowed to drink alcohol in the stadium parking lot on game day. However, several CFL markets that have tailgating policies don’t allow alcohol. Calgary has a firm rule against open alcohol, and police patrol the area. Edmonton’s stadium has designated tailgating stalls for use before games, but their guidelines state the area isn’t licensed to have open alcohol. The Saskatchewan government said details about tailgating would be found in the legislation, when it’s introduced in the legislature.However, Saskatchewan Roughriders CEO Craig Reynolds indicated alcohol regulations are at the heart of why the team requested a tailgating law.”There’s just a piece of legislation right now that limits what you can do in terms of alcohol consumption and alcohol and purchasing, and so that piece of legislation just needs to change,” Reynolds said, adding the current law “prevents you from bringing in any outside alcohol.”He said the Riders will work with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) to hash out drinking rules.Saskatchewan Roughriders president and CEO Craig Reynolds says his team will be working the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority to hash out tailgating rules. (Alexander Quon/CBC)“That’s where we will work with SLGA, and that’s obviously top of mind for us existing in the stadium,” said Reynolds. “So between security, policing, limited access — all those things are going to be considered. But really, we’re going to work closely with SLGA to make sure we’ll exceed whatever regulations that they impose.”The new SLGA permits are expected to be ready before the start of the 2026 football season.Neither Premier Scott Moe nor Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski gave any more details.“We will introduce a new regulatory framework that will be created that will allow tailgating events at Mosaic Stadium … to ensure the fans can have as much safe fun as possible while always, as we say, keeping our communities and our families safe,” Moe said on Wednesday.“Our role as the city is to make sure that we keep everybody safe and that we have a good plan for the place. So this is a good thing and a fun thing for the city,” Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski told host Adam Hunter on CBC Radio’s The Morning Edition. LISTEN | Mayor Chad Bachynski talks tailgating:The Morning Edition – Sask8:25Mayor Chad Bachynski talks the land bank, the Regina Pats and tailgatingRegina’s city council recently debated taking money from the federal government and using it to establish a land bank. We talked to mayor Chad Bachynski about how that would work, and what was decided.Reynolds said he’s been communicating with other teams like Calgary and Edmonton about their tailgating policies, but will expand his research to other markets.”Our head coach used to play for the Buffalo Bills and they’re famous for their tailgating, so I’m sure Corey [Mace] can connect us down there too, so we’ll see how their tailgating model works,” Reynolds said. The Buffalo Bills’ tailgating policy is as follows:Stadium parking lots open four hours before the game, and close two hours before the game.Fans must have a valid game ticket to be on premise in Bills parking lots.Tailgating must happen in front of or behind the vehicle only.Plastic cups or aluminum cans only, no glass bottles permitted.All flames and grills must be extinguished before departure.No tailgating after kickoff.Reynolds said tailgating would help create a “buzz” and exciting atmostphere around Mosaic Stadium on game day. He said fans have been speaking up loudly in support of the change, and he hopes to create a fun, safe environment for them.REAL District CEO Rick Bennett says he supports tailgating for Riders fans. (Matt Howard)Regina Exhibition Association CEO Rick Bennett said he’s “hugely supportive” of the work to make tailgating possible.“I think that just creates a more vibrant community that really helps every aspect of the REAL District as well as the Riders, in terms of building that Rider fan base,” he said.ABOUT THE AUTHORAlex Kozroski is a reporter with CBC News in Regina. He has also worked as a reporter for Golden West Broadcasting in Swift Current, Sask.With files from The Morning Edition
Roughriders president says team will look to Buffalo Bills for tailgating inspiration
