Roughriders host Redblacks in season opener as CFL releases 2025 schedule

The 2025 CFL season is set to kick off in Regina with a matchup between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Ottawa Redblacks on June 5 at Mosaic Stadium. Both teams are coming off successful playoff runs last season and will be looking to build on their momentum as they aim for the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg on Nov. 16.

Ottawa ended a four-season playoff drought in 2024 and is determined to take another step forward after falling to the Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts in the East Division semifinal. Meanwhile, the Roughriders returned to the playoffs after a two-year absence and secured a victory over the B.C. Lions in the Western Division semifinal before being defeated by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the division final.

Defending Grey Cup champions Toronto will begin their title defense with a game against the 2023 champions, Montreal, on June 6. Calgary will host Hamilton, and B.C. will entertain Edmonton in a doubleheader on June 7 to cap off Week 1. Winnipeg will start their season with a bye week before facing the Lions at home on June 12.

A notable highlight of the schedule is the Stampede Bowl, where the Stampeders will host the Blue Bombers on July 3, a day before the Calgary Stampede kicks off. Additionally, the 2025 schedule will feature 23 games kicking off at 4 p.m. or earlier, marking a 44% increase from the previous year. The league has also made efforts to ensure fair scheduling, with no teams facing a four-day turnaround and a limit of two five-day turnarounds per team. Teams will also not play an opponent coming off a bye week more than three times.

The regular season will conclude on Oct. 25 with the Roughriders hosting the Lions, making it the first season where Saskatchewan will host both the season opener and finale. The playoffs are set to begin on Nov. 1 with the East and West semifinals, followed by the division finals on Nov. 8 and the Grey Cup on Nov. 16.

Key dates to mark on the calendar include the traditional Labour Day weekend rivalry games, with Saskatchewan facing off against Winnipeg on Aug. 31, Hamilton hosting Toronto, and Calgary taking on Edmonton on Sept. 1. With an exciting lineup of games and a focus on fair scheduling, the 2025 CFL season promises to be one filled with thrilling matchups and intense competition.