Regina expecting economic boost from Rider playoff game

Regina will be getting a nice economic boost with the Saskatchewan Roughriders hosting its first playoff game since 2021.

The Green and White making the playoffs means Riders fans from across the province and other parts of Canada will be making their way to Mosaic Stadium to hopefully help their team book a trip to Winnipeg for the CFL West Final next week.

Sandra Jackle — president and CEO of the Regina Hotel Association — says for big games like this Saturday’s playoff game against the B.C. Lions, hotels will be in pretty high demand.

“It’s fantastic! We love having Rider playoff games, so we’re happy to welcome a whole bunch of people to Regina,” she explained.

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She said hotel occupancy tends to rise for Rider games, especially on a Saturday.

“We can see our (hotel) occupancy rise to around the 90 per cent level for Rider games like the big ones like Labour Day and especially something like a playoff game,” Jackle added.

It’s not only hotels that will be close to full for game day, buses taking people to and from the game are also booked and busy.

In Moose Jaw, Marcus Hovington owns the company Bad Intentions Bus and will be organizing his usual route to Regina for Riders games.

“There is a ton of excitement around our community,” Hovington said. “We actually sold-out every bus that we’ve done for almost the whole season this year given they’ve had a good year finally. People are excited for some playoff football and the weather is not bad.”

Hovington mentioned he usually runs two or three buses, but because of other engagements they had to contract out a charter to get to this weekend’s game.

He said there’s high demand for a bus ticket.

“It’s almost full within less than 24 hours of notice. It’s taken off and it’ll probably sell out,” he added.

In Saskatoon, Brad Urquhrt, owner of Bugsy’s in Lawson Heights, is welcoming the playoff game. He expects his bar to be full.

“We’ve been waiting a while and I think everyone is excited. We (usually) fill up about halfway, but I think this one will be full,” Urquhrt said.

“Anything that continues on gets people out to watch (helps business) out a lot. It would be nice if they made it to the Grey Cup because every bar will be packed in Saskatchewan.”

Kickoff on Saturday against the B.C. Lions is set for 4:30 p.m. from Mosaic Stadium.