Roughriders release 2017 schedule, open season against Durant

It’ll be the Riders versus the Blue Bombers to open the new Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

The CFL unveiled the 2017 schedule on its website Tuesday morning and it has Winnipeg travelling to Regina for the first pre-season game on June 10.

The Roughriders first regular season game, however, will likely be the one everyone will be anticipating as the green and white travel to Montreal to play Darian Durant and the Alouettes.

Durant was traded to the Alouettes last month after he and the Riders were unable to reach a deal to keep him in Saskatchewan. A week later, he inked a two-year deal with the Als.

On Canada Day – week 2 – the Bombers are back in Regina for the first game of the regular season at the new Mosaic Stadium.

The Riders play Hamilton at home in week 3 before their first of two bye weeks. The second bye week is in August.

The annual Labour Day Classic will be played Sept. 3 at 2 p.m., followed by the so-called Banjo Bowl in Winnipeg.

Durant fans will have to wait until nearly the end of the CFL season to see him back in Saskatchewan. The Alouettes play at new Mosaic on Oct. 27.

The Riders close the season against the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday, Nov. 4, at home.

The Grey Cup is slated for Sunday, Nov. 26.

FULL RIDER SCHEDULE:

• PRESEASON WEEK 1 – WPG @ SSK  – June 10, 7 p.m. 
• PRESEASON WEEK 2 – SSK @ BC – June 16, 8 p.m.
• WEEK 1 – SSK @ MON – June 22, 5:30 p.m.
• WEEK 2 – WPG @ SSK (home opener) – July 1, 7 p.m.
• WEEK 3 – HAM @ SSK – July 8, 8 p.m.
• WEEK 4 – BYE
• WEEK 5 – SSK @ CAL – July 22, 7 p.m.
• WEEK 6 – TOR @ SSK  – July 29, 4:30 p.m.
• WEEK 7 – SSK @ BC – Aug. 5, 5 p.m.
• WEEK 8 – BC @ SSK – Aug 13, 6 p.m.
• WEEK 9 – BYE
• WEEK 10 – SSK @ EDM Aug. 25 7:30 p.m.
• WEEK 11 – WPG @ SSK – Sept. 3, 2 p.m.
• WEEK 12 – SSK @ WPG – Sept. 9, 1 p.m.
• WEEK 13 – SSK @ HAM – Sept. 15, 5 p.m.
• WEEK 14 – CGY @ SSK – Sept. 24, 2 p.m.
• WEEK 15 – SSK @ OTT – Sept. 29, 5 p.m.
• WEEK 16 – SSK @ TOR – Oct. 7, 2 p.m.
• WEEK 17 – OTT @ SSK – Oct. 13, 8 p.m.
• WEEK 18 – SSK @ CGY – Oct. 20, 7 p.m.
• WEEK 19 – MTL @ SSK – Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.
• WEEK 20 – EDM @ SSK – Nov. 4, 5 p.m.