Riders open 2024 season on the road, CFL returns to balanced schedule

Saskatchewan Roughriders fans can start to plan their vacations — the 2024 CFL schedule is out.

The league unveiled its schedule Thursday, with the season set to culminate in the 111th Grey Cup game in Vancouver on Nov. 17.

The league returned to a balanced schedule for the upcoming season, meaning every team will play each of the others at least twice – one home and one away. This is the first time the CFL has used this type of schedule since 2019.

Saskatchewan will play two pre-season games, hosting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 20 and then visiting the Edmonton Elks on May 25.

The Green and White will open its regular season on the road against the Elks on June 8.

Riders fans will get their first chance to see new head coach Corey Mace in a regular-season contest in Regina on June 23, when Saskatchewan hosts the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The highly anticipated return of Cody Fajardo to Saskatchewan will take place on Aug. 16, when the Riders play host to the Montreal Alouettes.

The former Riders pivot won the 2023 Grey Cup with Montreal, but didn’t play his former team once last season. He missed the only contest between the two teams due to an injury.

The Bombers will visit Regina twice in the regular season, first on July 19 and then the annual Labour Day Classic on Sept. 1. Saskatchewan’s only visit to Winnipeg will be for the Banjo Bowl on Sept. 7.

The Elks are the only other team Saskatchewan will play three times – the season opener, in Regina on Aug. 3 and then at Commonwealth Stadium on Oct. 5.

Saskatchewan will play regular-season games on a Thursday four times this season (weeks 5, 8, 10, 12), on a Friday three times (weeks 7, 11, 16), on a Saturday eight times (weeks 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21), and on a Sunday three times (weeks 2, 3, 13).

Saskatchewan’s bye weeks will be Week 4, Week 15 and Week 20 – the second-last week of the regular season.