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Banjo Bowl
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| First meeting | September 12, 2004 Blue Bombers 27, Roughriders 24 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | September 6, 2025 Blue Bombers 13, Roughriders 21 |
| Next meeting | September 12, 2026 |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 21 |
| All-time series | Blue Bombers lead, 13–8 |
| Largest victory | Roughriders: 55–10 (2009) Blue Bombers: 51–6 (2023) |
| Smallest victory | Roughriders: 25–24 (2012) Blue Bombers: 27–24 (2004) |
| Longest win streak | Blue Bombers: 5 (2019–2024) |
| Current win streak | Roughriders: 1 (2025–present) |
The Banjo Bowl is the annual rematch game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) after the Labour Day Classic. While the traditional Labour Day Classic game is always played on the Sunday before Labour Day at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan (previously held at Taylor Field), there is usually a rematch on the following weekend between these two rival prairie teams at Princess Auto Stadium (previously held at Canad Inns Stadium) in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
History
[edit]From 1982 to 2003 consecutively, Saskatchewan hosted Winnipeg in the Labour Day Classic. This game was always held in Regina on the Sunday before Labour Day Monday. Some of these Labour Day Classic games were part of a home-and-home series. In 1984 and 1988, Winnipeg hosted Saskatchewan in the game before the Labour Day Classic. In 1986, 1991 to 1995, and 1998, Winnipeg hosted Saskatchewan in the game after the Labour Day Classic.
Dave Ritchie, Winnipeg's head coach from 1999 to 2004, would ask, "Why can’t we play [the Labour Day Classic] game in Winnipeg once in awhile?"[1] Ritchie knew the visitors should have a clear disadvantage playing in a jacked-up, jam-packed stadium, and felt that Winnipeg should benefit once in a while.[1] At one time, there were discussions about occasionally letting Winnipeg enjoy the home-field advantage and perhaps alternating year by year the site of the Labour Day Classic.[1] Every year starting in 2004, Saskatchewan has hosted the Labour Day Classic and Winnipeg has hosted the Labour Day Rematch. As of the 2025 season, Winnipeg leads the series 13–8.
As on Labour Day weekend when many Winnipeg fans visit Regina to support the Bombers, many Saskatchewan fans visit Winnipeg the following weekend to support the Roughriders. Many come, tongue-in-cheek, with banjos.
Despite not being an official event, the Canadian Football League website promotes the game by referring to it as "Banjo Bowl" in some of its online coverage[2] as does the league's official television broadcaster, TSN.[3] In 2013, the Premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall, joined in the spirit of the event by posting a video on his YouTube channel making reference to the rivalry and the Banjo Bowl game.[4] The Roughriders themselves have avoided the use of the title "Banjo Bowl" in official communications, referring to the game as the "Labour Day rematch".[5]
Name
[edit]The "Banjo Bowl" moniker was coined by Blue Bombers board member David Asper in early 2004, inspired by an infamous comment made by Bombers placekicker Troy Westwood in the week prior to a 2003 Western Division Semi-final game between the two teams. Westwood was quoted in the media as saying that people from Regina were "a bunch of banjo-pickin' inbreds", which was a reference to the scene and song "Dueling Banjos" from the movie Deliverance.[6][7] He later sardonically apologized for those comments, saying that "the vast majority of the people in Saskatchewan have no idea how to play the banjo."[8] This further fuelled the Winnipeg–Saskatchewan football rivalry and has made the rematch game even more of an event. The game has been sold out every year since 2005.
Results
[edit]| Year | Date | Winner | Score | Venue | Attendance | TV | Roughriders QB | Blue Bombers QB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | September 12 | Blue Bombers | 27–24[9] | Canad Inns Stadium | 27,160 | Sportsnet | Henry Burris | Kevin Glenn | |
| 2005 | September 10 | Roughriders | 19–17[10] | Canad Inns Stadium | 29,653 | CBC | Marcus Crandell | Kevin Glenn | |
| 2006 | September 10 | Blue Bombers | 27–23[11] | Canad Inns Stadium | 30,026 | TSN | Kerry Joseph | Kevin Glenn | |
| 2007 | September 9 | Blue Bombers | 34–15[12] | Canad Inns Stadium | 29,783 | TSN | Kerry Joseph | Kevin Glenn | |
| 2008 | September 7 | Roughriders | 34–31[13] | Canad Inns Stadium | 29,770 | TSN | Michael Bishop | Kevin Glenn | |
| 2009 | September 13 | Roughriders | 55–10[14] | Canad Inns Stadium | 29,533 | TSN | Darian Durant | Michael Bishop | |
| 2010 | September 12 | Blue Bombers | 31–2[15] | Canad Inns Stadium | 29,533 | TSN | Darian Durant | Steven Jyles | |
| 2011 | September 11 | Roughriders | 45–23[16] | Canad Inns Stadium | 30,518 | TSN | Darian Durant | Buck Pierce | |
| 2012 | September 9 | Roughriders | 25–24[17] | Canad Inns Stadium | 30,077 | TSN | Darian Durant | Joey Elliott | |
| 2013 | September 8 | Blue Bombers | 25–13[18] | Investors Group Field | 33,500 | TSN | Darian Durant | Justin Goltz | |
| 2014 | September 7 | Roughriders | 30–24[19] | Investors Group Field | 33,234 | TSN | Darian Durant | Drew Willy | |
| 2015 | September 12 | Blue Bombers | 22–7[20] | Investors Group Field | 35,156 | TSN | Brett Smith | Matt Nichols | |
| 2016 | September 10 | Blue Bombers | 17–10[21] | Investors Group Field | 33,234 | TSN | Darian Durant | Matt Nichols | |
| 2017 | September 9 | Blue Bombers | 48–28[22] | Investors Group Field | 33,134 | TSN | Kevin Glenn | Matt Nichols | |
| 2018 | September 8 | Roughriders | 32–27[23] | Investors Group Field | 33,134 | TSN | Zach Collaros | Matt Nichols | |
| 2019 | September 7 | Blue Bombers | 35–10[24] | IG Field | 33,134 | TSN | Cody Fajardo | Chris Streveler | |
| 2020 | Not played due to COVID-19 | ||||||||
| 2021 | September 11 | Blue Bombers | 33–9[25] | IG Field | 33,234 | TSN | Cody Fajardo | Zach Collaros | |
| 2022 | September 10 | Blue Bombers | 54–20[26] | IG Field | 33,234 | TSN | Cody Fajardo | Zach Collaros | |
| 2023 | September 9 | Blue Bombers | 51–6[27] | IG Field | 32,343 | TSN | Jake Dolegala | Zach Collaros | |
| 2024 | September 7 | Blue Bombers | 26–21[28] | Princess Auto Stadium | 32,343 | CTV[29] | Trevor Harris | Zach Collaros | |
| 2025 | September 6 | Roughriders | 21–13[30] | Princess Auto Stadium | 32,343 | TSN | Trevor Harris | Zach Collaros | |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Darrell Davis: Labour Day Classic is part feud, part tradition for Riders, Bombers".
- ^ "Preview: Bombers, Riders Set for 'Banjo Bowl' in Winnipeg". cfl.ca. September 7, 2013. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ TSN story Archived December 16, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Premier picks on Bombers prior to Banjo Bowl". CBC News. September 6, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Riders looking to squash 'Banjo Bowl' name for Labour Day rematch with Winnipeg". CTV News Regina. 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ "Virtual Saskatchewan - Riders and Bombers in first Banjo Bowl". www.virtualsk.com. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ Penton, Kirk (September 9, 2006). "Evolution of the Banjo Bowl". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Jones, Terry (September 2, 2007). "Labour Pains". Calgary Sun. p. S11.
- ^ "Riders Unable to Pluck Victory from Bombers Sep.12/04". riderville.com. September 12, 2004. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Roughriders 19, Blue Bombers 17 | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League". Archived from the original on 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
- ^ "Bombers Find Right Tune to Capture Banjo Bowl". cfl.ca. September 11, 2006. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Blue Bombers 34, Roughriders 15". cfl.ca. September 9, 2007. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Riders' 17-point Comeback Stuns Bombers". cfl.ca. September 7, 2008. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Sunday Sep. 9, 2007: Saskatchewan @ Winnipeg Recap". CFL.ca. Archived from the original on 2009-09-15.
- ^ "Riders Out of Tune in Bombers Banjo Bowl Win". cfl.ca. September 12, 2010. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Riders dispatch Bombers in Banjo Bowl | CBC Sports". CBC News. 2011-09-12. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18.
- ^ "Green Sweep" Riders Shock Bombers, Win Banjo Bowl". cfl.ca. September 9, 2012. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Bombers Strum Their Way to Banjo Bowl Victory". cfl.ca. September 8, 2013. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Heavy Price: Riders Win Banjo Bowl, Lose Durant". cfl.ca. September 7, 2014. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Back at Ya: Nichols Strong-arms Bombers in Rematch". cfl.ca. November 29, 2015. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Strumming along: Bombers win Banjo Bowl, lose Harris to injury". cfl.ca. September 10, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Roughriders Winnipeg Blue Bombers game stats". cfl.ca. September 9, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
- ^ "Riders defeat Bombers in wild Banjo Bowl for fourth straight win". cfl.ca. September 8, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ "Strummin' Along: Monster first half powers Bombers to Banjo Bowl victory". cfl.ca. September 7, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ "Bombers defeat Riders for a second-straight Banjo Bowl title". cfl.ca. September 11, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ "BOMBERS DOMINATE IN WIN OVER RIDERS IN LABOUR DAY REMATCH". cfl.ca. September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
- ^ "Bombers defeat Riders for a fourth straight Banjo Bowl title". cfl.ca. September 9, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ "Bombers get best of Riders again in Labour Day rematch". Canadian Football League. September 7, 2024.
- ^ "The Biggest Game On The Biggest Stage: 111th Grey Cup set to shine on CTV". CFL.ca. 2024-06-06. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ "Roughriders take down Bombers to win Banjo Bowl". Canadian Football League. September 6, 2025.
Banjo Bowl
View on GrokipediaOverview
Format and Significance
The Banjo Bowl is the annual post-Labour Day rematch between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL), serving as the Winnipeg counterpart to the Labour Day Classic and forming a key part of the league's late-season schedule.[1] This Prairie rivalry game is typically held the weekend following the Labour Day Classic in early September at the Blue Bombers' home stadium in Winnipeg, completing a home-and-home series that underscores the intense regional competition between the two teams.[5] The matchup has been a fixture since 2004, amplifying the longstanding animosity between the clubs, which dates back to their first encounter in 1936.[6] The inaugural official Banjo Bowl took place on September 12, 2004, at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg, where the Blue Bombers secured a narrow victory over the Roughriders.[5] Established as a deliberate effort to create a signature event for Blue Bombers fans, akin to prominent college football rivalries, the game quickly became a highlight of the CFL calendar by capitalizing on the post-holiday timing to sustain momentum from the Labour Day contest.[1] No Banjo Bowl was played in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the cancellation of the entire CFL season that year.[1] As one of the CFL's most anticipated and fiercely contested games, the Banjo Bowl often draws crowds exceeding 30,000 fans, reflecting its status as a major draw in a league where average attendance hovers around 22,000 per game.[7][8] The event's intensity frequently influences West Division playoff seeding, with outcomes directly affecting team records and postseason positioning in a tightly contested conference.[9] As of 2025, 21 Banjo Bowl games have been played, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of CFL tradition and fan engagement.[5]Venue and Attendance
The Banjo Bowl is primarily hosted at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a modern outdoor facility with a seating capacity of 32,343 spectators.[10] The stadium opened in 2013 as Investors Group Field following construction that began in 2010, marking a significant upgrade from the previous venue and serving as the home for all Banjo Bowl games since that time. Prior to 2013, the event was held at the aging Canad Inns Stadium from its inception in 2004 through the 2012 season, before the site was demolished to make way for urban development. The naming rights evolved with Investors Group Field rebranded to IG Field in 2019 and then to Princess Auto Stadium in 2024, reflecting corporate sponsorship changes while maintaining its role as a hub for Canadian football on the University of Manitoba campus.[10][11][12] Attendance for the Banjo Bowl has consistently sold out annually since 2005, averaging over 32,000 fans per game and underscoring the event's status as one of the Canadian Football League's most anticipated matchups. The record crowd of 35,156 was set in 2015, the second-largest home attendance in Winnipeg Blue Bombers history at the time. While the rivalry's intense draw ensures robust turnout irrespective of the teams' records, factors such as early September weather—ranging from mild to chilly conditions—can affect overall fan comfort and participation in outdoor activities, though it has not prevented sellouts.[13][14] Game-day logistics at Princess Auto Stadium emphasize fan engagement, including tailgating in "The Lot," a popular adjacent parking area where supporters set up grills, games, and social gatherings hours before kickoff to build excitement for the contest.[15]History
Inception and Naming
The Banjo Bowl originated from a controversial radio comment made by Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood in 2003, ahead of the Labour Day Classic against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Westwood referred to Roughriders fans as a "bunch of banjo-pickin' inbreds," mocking Saskatchewan as a rural, backwater province.[1][5][16] This remark ignited widespread backlash from Saskatchewan fans and media, intensifying the longstanding Prairie rivalry between the two teams.[17] Following the 2003 Labour Day Classic and the ensuing playoff matchup, Blue Bombers board member David Asper proposed embracing the controversy by naming the 2004 home rematch against the Roughriders the "Banjo Bowl," suggesting it to team president Lyle Bauer and marketing director Jerry Maslowsky as a way to capitalize on the publicity and boost attendance.[5][1] Asper's idea drew inspiration from high-profile U.S. college football rivalries like the Iron Bowl, aiming to create a signature event that highlighted the heated competition.[18] The name was adopted to turn the insult into marketable energy, positioning the game as Winnipeg's counterpoint to the Roughriders' Labour Day Classic in Regina.[19] The inaugural Banjo Bowl was officially designated for September 12, 2004, at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg, marking the first time the rematch was branded under this moniker.[5] Initial marketing efforts focused on banjo-themed promotions to amplify the rivalry's fun yet fierce tone, including a weekend of events such as the Banjo Bowl Social with prize draws and trivia, a Family Fun Day featuring autographs and mascot appearances, and pre-game performances by the banjo-playing band White Hot Chilly Pickers.[20] Merchandise like Banjo Bowl t-shirts and posters was sold, with proceeds benefiting the United Way, while the game itself included a halftime outhouse-building contest sponsored by Windsor Plywood to tie into the rural caricature.[20] These elements helped establish the event as a cultural highlight of the interprovincial feud.[2]Key Milestones
The Banjo Bowl's early years were marked by Saskatchewan Roughriders dominance, securing three victories in the first six editions from 2005 to 2010, which helped establish the rivalry's intensity on the prairies.[5] This period included a decisive 55-10 rout in 2009, where the Roughriders capitalized on eight Winnipeg turnovers to defend their title emphatically.[21] These wins underscored Saskatchewan's edge in the series during a time when both teams were rebuilding, contributing to sold-out crowds and growing fan engagement since 2005.[22] The rivalry faced significant disruptions in 2020 when the entire CFL season, including the Banjo Bowl, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the first absence of the game since its inception.[1] The 2021 season resumed amid ongoing health protocols, with a shortened schedule starting in August and several games rescheduled due to outbreaks, including cross-division matchups that altered divisional standings and playoff paths for both prairie teams.[7] Despite these challenges, the Banjo Bowl returned on September 11, 2021, with Winnipeg prevailing 33-9 in front of a limited crowd, highlighting the event's resilience.[5] Momentum shifted decisively toward the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2019 to 2024, as they captured a five-game winning streak in the Banjo Bowl, bolstering their West Division campaigns.[3] This run included clinching playoff berths during the rivalry game, such as in 2023 when a dominant 51-6 victory over Saskatchewan secured postseason entry and set a sellout attendance mark of 32,343 at Princess Auto Stadium.[23] The streak ended in 2025 with Saskatchewan's 21-13 upset win, snapping Winnipeg's hold and reaffirming the Roughriders' competitiveness.[4] These pivotal Banjo Bowl outcomes have influenced broader playoff trajectories, notably propelling Winnipeg to Grey Cup appearances in 2019 after a 35-10 win that aided their 13-5 regular-season finish and West Division title, and in 2023 following the 51-6 blowout that capped a 14-4 campaign en route to the conference final.[24]Results and Records
All-Time Series Summary
The Banjo Bowl series between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders has been played 21 times since its inception in 2004, with the Blue Bombers leading the all-time record 13-8 following the 2025 contest.[3] All games in the series have taken place at what is now Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg (formerly Canad Inns Stadium until 2013, Investors Group Field from 2013 to 2019, and IG Field from 2019 to 2024), resulting in no away victories or neutral-site outcomes to factor into the aggregated statistics.[5][25] The highest combined scoring total in a Banjo Bowl game is 74 points, achieved in 2022 when the Blue Bombers defeated the Roughriders 54-20. The largest margins of victory stand at 45 points each, recorded by the Roughriders in their 55-10 win in 2009 and by the Blue Bombers in a 51-6 blowout during the 2023 edition.[23][5] The Blue Bombers hold the longest win streak in series history with five consecutive victories from 2019 to 2024, while the Roughriders' longest streak is two games, achieved in 2008–2009 and 2011–2012.[3][5] Of the 21 games, seven have carried direct implications for West Division standings, often serving as pivotal contests in the playoff race.[1]Year-by-Year Results
The Banjo Bowl has been held annually since 2004, except for 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]| Year | Date | Score | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | September 12 | Winnipeg 27–24 Saskatchewan | 27,160 | Inaugural Banjo Bowl; Winnipeg clinched a playoff spot.[5] |
| 2005 | September 10 | Saskatchewan 19–17 Winnipeg | 29,653 | Saskatchewan completed a Labour Day/Banjo Bowl sweep.[5] |
| 2006 | September 10 | Winnipeg 27–23 Saskatchewan | 30,026 | - |
| 2007 | September 9 | Winnipeg 34–15 Saskatchewan | 29,783 | - |
| 2008 | September 7 | Saskatchewan 34–31 Winnipeg | 29,770 | Saskatchewan mounted a 17-point fourth-quarter comeback.[5] |
| 2009 | September 13 | Saskatchewan 55–10 Winnipeg | 29,533 | Saskatchewan scored 31 points off turnovers.[5] |
| 2010 | September 12 | Winnipeg 31–2 Saskatchewan | 29,833 | - |
| 2011 | September 11 | Saskatchewan 45–23 Winnipeg | 30,518 | Saskatchewan scored 28 points off turnovers.[5] |
| 2012 | September 9 | Saskatchewan 25–24 Winnipeg | 30,077 | Saskatchewan won on a last-second field goal.[5] |
| 2013 | September 8 | Winnipeg 25–13 Saskatchewan | 33,500 | First game at Investors Group Field.[5] |
| 2014 | September 7 | Saskatchewan 30–24 Winnipeg | 33,134 | First game at IG Field (now Princess Auto Stadium). |
| 2015 | September 12 | Winnipeg 22–7 Saskatchewan | 35,156 | Winnipeg extended a winning streak.[5][26] |
| 2016 | September 10 | Winnipeg 17–10 Saskatchewan | 33,134 | Winnipeg's sixth straight win.[5] |
| 2017 | September 9 | Winnipeg 48–28 Saskatchewan | 33,124 | - |
| 2018 | September 8 | Saskatchewan 32–27 Winnipeg | 33,134 | Saskatchewan scored 23 points off interceptions.[5] |
| 2019 | September 7 | Winnipeg 35–10 Saskatchewan | 33,134 | - |
| 2020 | - | Cancelled | - | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.[1] |
| 2021 | September 11 | Winnipeg 33–9 Saskatchewan | 33,234 | First Banjo Bowl post-COVID; limited capacity initially but full by game time.[5][7] |
| 2022 | September 10 | Winnipeg 54–20 Saskatchewan | 33,234 | - |
| 2023 | September 19 | Winnipeg 51–6 Saskatchewan | 33,234 | Winnipeg clinched playoffs.[5][23] |
| 2024 | September 7 | Winnipeg 26–21 Saskatchewan | 33,234 | Winnipeg's fifth straight win; sold out.[5][27] |
| 2025 | September 6 | Saskatchewan 21–13 Winnipeg | 33,234 | Saskatchewan ended Winnipeg's streak.[3][4] |
