For decades, pre-game parties outside Mosaic Stadium required a bit of a workaround. You kept your beverages hidden in red plastic cups. You watched for security, and you grilled your burgers while technically breaking a few outdated provincial liquor laws.
That era is over. In other updates, we also covered: The Hyperbole of Hype Why Comparing Cage Fighting to Apollo 11 Dilutes the True Economics of Modern Sports.
Saskatchewan has finally legalized tailgating, changing how fans experience game day in Regina. Thanks to the passage of the Tailgating Act, the province has updated its strict alcohol regulations. Now, Saskatchewan Roughriders fans can openly grill, chill, and crack open a cold beer right outside the stadium gates without looking over their shoulders.
It is a massive shift for a fan base already widely considered the most passionate in the Canadian Football League. Sky Sports has also covered this important issue in great detail.
The New Rules Of Game Day In Regina
Let's get into how this actually works. This isn't a free-for-all where you can park anywhere and start drinking. The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority worked alongside the Roughriders organization to create a controlled, highly structured environment.
The party takes place in a dedicated parking lot just south of the Brandt Centre. To park your vehicle there and set up your grill, you need a specific season-long tailgating pass. The Riders put these passes up for grabs earlier this year through a high-demand lottery system for season ticket holders. At $500 for the season, the passes weren't cheap, but they sold out almost instantly.
Each pass secures a pair of parking spots. One spot holds your vehicle; the other gives you the physical room to set up lawn chairs, tables, and barbecues.
You don't need a vehicle pass to participate in the fun. The entire tailgating footprint is wide open to pedestrians. You can walk right into the lot by foot, hang out with friends, and soak in the pre-game atmosphere.
What You Can And Cannot Do In The Lot
The provincial government wanted to model this experience after major North American sports venues while keeping things safe. SGI and local authorities stepped in to establish clear boundaries.
- Bring your own food and drinks: If you hold a tailgating pass, you can cook whatever you want and bring your own beer or spirits.
- No selling allowed: You cannot operate a rogue food truck or sell drinks to passersby. Everything must be for personal consumption.
- Pedestrian booze rules: Walking visitors can bring closed alcohol into the lot by foot, but you cannot walk around chugging a beer unless you are hanging out within a designated tailgating stall.
- Keep it in the zone: You cannot leave the designated parking lot with an open container. The moment you step onto the regular sidewalk or head toward the stadium gates, that drink needs to be gone.
- No smoking or vaping: City of Regina bylaws apply here. Cannabis and tobacco use are banned in these public outdoor event areas.
The lot opens exactly five hours before kickoff. For evening games, that means you have a massive window to establish your setup. However, do not show up late. The team locks down vehicle entry one hour before the game starts to protect pedestrians walking through the area.
Why The Timing Is Perfect For Rider Nation
This isn't just any regular season opener. The Roughriders are entering the season as the reigning Grey Cup champions. The energy in Regina is already at a boiling point, and the legalization of tailgating adds fuel to that fire.
Other CFL cities like Calgary and Edmonton have enjoyed legal parking lot parties for years. Saskatchewan fans have long argued that their fan base would do it better if given the chance.
Roughriders president and CEO Craig Reynolds noted that the team intentionally started with a manageable footprint for this first season. There are 200 vehicle setups total, accommodating roughly 400 parking spaces. If the crowd proves they can handle the responsibility this summer, the team plans to expand the boundaries and add more spots next year.
The financial reality of game days is also shifting. The team continues to offer pre-game beer gardens nearby, but the price of a pre-game happy hour beer rose from $5 to $6 this year due to escalating operational costs. Having the option to bring your own drinks to a private tailgate spot offers a welcome financial alternative for budget-conscious fans.
Your Plan For The Next Home Game
If you want to maximize your experience under the new rules, you need a strategy.
First, coordinate with your group early. If you and your friends both won the lottery and want to park next to each other, you must drive into the lot at the exact same time. Parking attendants fill the stalls sequentially from east to west. You cannot save a spot for a buddy who is stuck in traffic.
Second, figure out your transportation beforehand. The Riders encourage fans to utilize the free stadium transit shuttles or rideshares. If you do drive your own vehicle into the tailgating lot, the team allows you to leave your car parked overnight without penalty so you can find a safe ride home after the game.
Pack your cooler, prep your burger patties, and get to the Brandt Centre lot early. The gates open five hours before the game, and you can bet the smoke from the grills will be rising the minute the clock starts ticking.
