ManitobaFootball fans in Winnipeg have mixed feelings about the headlining performer at this year’s Grey Cup, which will be played in the Manitoba capital in less than a month. Over 90% of Grey Cup tickets have been sold, but halftime act could make impact beyond the turfGavin Axelrod · CBC News · Posted: Oct 20, 2025 6:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 9 hours agoRapper mgk, formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly, will headline the halftime show at the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg on Nov. 16. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)Football fans in Winnipeg have mixed feelings about the headlining act at this year’s Grey Cup, which will be played in the Manitoba capital in less than a month. American musician mgk, will perform at halftime of the 112th Grey Cup, which is set for Nov. 16 at Winnipeg’s Princess Auto Stadium.Some football fans in the city said they would have rather seen a Canadian musician get the headlining spot, while others said even if it’s not their vibe, it may help the league expand its audience and reach different demographics. “This is the Canadian Football League, there’s distinctive rules to the play, it represents a Canadian vibe,” said Brian Cooper, who is a CFL fan from B.C., but was in town for the Blue Bombers game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Oct. 17. “Having a Canadian artist would have been a win,” he said. The league made the halftime show announcement last week and also said Canadian rock band Our Lady Peace will play during the kickoff show, while Catie St. Germain, who is from Manitoba, will sing Canada’s national anthem. The halftime performer, who used to be known as Machine Gun Kelly, has released seven studio albums. His 2020 album called, Tickets to my Downfall, is certified double platinum in the United States.Mgk’s 2022 album Mainstream Sellout was also nominated for the 2023 Grammy award for Best Rock Album, a release from the CFL said. His most recent album, called Lost Americana, was released this past August. New fansCooper said while mgk’s music may not appeal to him, his performance might serve as a way for the league to bring in new fans. He also said people may have wanted to see a Canadian artist in the big game at a time when Canada’s relationship with the U.S. is tense.Some frustration about a U.S.-born artist performing in the Grey Cup halftime show may also potentially stem from the CFL’s recent announcement about forthcoming rule changes, which some fans have called an “Americanization” of the game, he said. “Maybe on the heels of that people aren’t happy, and I understand why,” he said. Other football fans in Winnipeg said they were initially surprised or disappointed by the announcement that mgk would be performing at the Grey Cup halftime show, but were happy about the inclusion of Our Lady Peace for the kickoff show. “I was really thinking they were going to have a Canadian band or singer, I thought that’s what they were going to go with,” said Blue Bombers season ticket holder Jason King.CFL ‘very serious’ about growing its brand Bringing in performers like mgk — and even acts like the Jonas Brothers and Green Day for recent Grey Cup halftime performances — shows the league is taking a “very serious” approach to growing its brand and realizing “what the different avenues are to do that,” said Justin Dunk, a reporter and insider for 3DownNation, which specializes in coverage of the CFL. While mgk might not be a known name to some of the CFL fans who “skew to the older age,” he is “definitely a known name among the younger crowd that the CFL arguably has lost,” said Dunk.“The hardcore CFL fans are going to watch the Grey Cup because of the football, almost regardless,” said Dunk. “This and last year’s halftime act with the Jonas Brothers, are designed to bring in a new, different audience that might just tune in for the halftime show, potentially stick around for the third quarter and might go ‘hey this football’s actually entertaining’ and potentially turn into new CFL fans.”The CFL said when the Jonas Brothers headlined the Grey Cup halftime show in 2024, their performance drew an average audience of 4.25 million viewers. Dunk also said big name acts can have an impact beyond television ratings.“It draws in outside media that perhaps wouldn’t cover the Canadian Football League, or might not even cover the Grey Cup, as big as the game is.” The Jonas Brothers perform during the halftime show at the 2024 Grey Cup at BC Place on Nov. 17, 2024. (Rich Lam/Getty Images)He also said he empathizes with fans who wanted to see a Canadian act headline the big game, but said there will be one “when it’s appropriate.” He said fans have already pointed to Tate McRae being a “natural fit” for the Grey Cup in 2026, which will be hosted in her hometown of Calgary. “But she’s a bigtime international act that’s going to take a lot of dollars and effort to get her there,” he said.Meanwhile, the Grey Cup game itself has already been announced as having more than 90 per cent of its tickets sold, but some fans say there’s value in bringing in mgk for the big game.“A lot of people are going to enjoy it, a lot of people are going to have fun,” said Alyce Hnatiuk.Alyce Hnatiuk, left, and her daughter, Stephanie O’Brien, right are lifelong CFL fans. (Gavin Axelrod/CBC)Her daughter Stephanie O’Brien said it’s “huge” for the league to try and reach fans it may not always resonate with. “Bring in a different demographic of people,” she said. “I think mgk is kind of geared to maybe the younger crowd. Get more people … to watch the CFL, I think it’s awesome.” ABOUT THE AUTHORGavin Axelrod is a journalist for CBC Manitoba. He has previously spent time at CBC Toronto and the Winnipeg Free Press. gavin.axelrod@cbc.ca With files from The Canadian Press
Winnipeg has mixed reaction to Grey Cup halftime act, but some see value in mgk performing
