Introduction
The Grey Cup is more than just the championship finale of the Canadian Football League. For many fans, it has become a deeply rooted tradition, a yearly migration, and a celebration of community that transcends team loyalties. Even supporters whose clubs have long been eliminated from contention travel great distances to join the festivities, unite with fellow football lovers, and immerse themselves in the shared culture of the sport.
This year is no different. As thousands make their way to Winnipeg for the 112th Grey Cup, the spirit of camaraderie and togetherness has proven once again to be a defining element of the event. While the on-field battle will be between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Montreal Alouettes at Princess Auto Stadium, the stands and streets are filled with fans from across the nation, many of whom are simply there to celebrate the sport, the spectacle, and the uniquely Canadian pulse of the CFL championship weekend.
The Championship Matchup
Saskatchewan vs. Montreal Takes Centre Stage
On Sunday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Montreal Alouettes will compete for football supremacy in a matchup that brings together two franchises with passionate fan bases and a storied history in the league. The Roughriders, with some of the most devoted supporters in Canadian sports, are expected to enjoy substantial crowd backing as they travel from the Prairies to Winnipeg. Meanwhile, Montreal enters the championship hoping to once again leave their mark on the CFL’s legacy.
While these two organizations prepare for their final showdown, it is clear that Grey Cup week is no longer solely about who is on the field. For countless fans from across Canada, the celebration begins long before kickoff and includes street festivals, concerts, community gatherings, cooking competitions, and opportunities to engage with long-time friends encountered only once a year — during Grey Cup weekend.
Fans Supporting the Spirit of the Game
Devoted Supporters Make the Trip Even Without Their Teams
Many in attendance at this year’s Grey Cup do not have a direct rooting interest in the outcome. Their teams may have already exited the playoffs, but that has done little to diminish their enthusiasm. Among them is Hamilton Tiger-Cats superfan Sheree Bashak, a well-known presence at championship games over the last decade.
A One-of-a-Kind Tradition
Bashak has been attending Grey Cup festivities since 2014 and has returned every year with handcrafted, eye-catching attire. This year, she once again dressed as the namesake trophy itself — in a full custom costume topped with a giant foil hat featuring handles, designed to resemble the Grey Cup in all its glory. Her husband, Steve, completed the duo’s playful look by sporting an inflatable football outfit, creating a visual spectacle that matched the celebratory mood of the surrounding festival.
The couple joined thousands of other fans taking part in Friday’s outdoor street party in Winnipeg, where the atmosphere was festive, welcoming, and electric. Vendors lined the streets, live music filled the air, and supporters of every franchise shared in the collective energy that defines Grey Cup week.
Bashak noted that one key motivation brings her back every year: the sense of togetherness.
“It’s community and fun and love, and we need more of that in the world,” she said, reflecting on how the championship has become more of a cultural event than a simple sports outcome.
A Costume Full of Meaning
Her signature fan costume features more than just the metallic hat. Bashak completes the ensemble with personalized earrings, each representing Grey Cup history and the teams competing this season. One earring features a green-uniformed player symbolizing Rider Nation, while the other depicts a blue-jerseyed player with a white “M,” honoring the Alouettes. These custom touches allow Bashak to embody the full spirit of the event — supporting the sport as a whole rather than exclusively backing her own team.
Yet despite her creativity and inclusiveness, she admits that her emotional allegiance on Grey Cup Sunday leans slightly toward the Roughriders. Still recovering from Hamilton’s playoff loss to Montreal just a week earlier, she jokes that she is not yet ready to cheer for the Alouettes, who delivered the knockout blow to her beloved Tiger-Cats.
“I think I’m going Saskatchewan, because I’m still crying over our Ticat loss against Montreal last week,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t know if my heart can bring me to cheer for them.”
Grey Cup as a Generational Tradition
A Family Bond Spanning Decades
For some fans, attending the Grey Cup is not just an annual outing — it is a cherished family tradition that spans generations. Barry Ryan, a Toronto resident, has been making the trip with his son Kevin for 25 years. What began as a father-son adventure slowly evolved into a three-generation bonding experience, as Barry’s grandson, James Salverda, joined the tradition more than a decade ago.
Living in Winnipeg, James has welcomed his family to town for this year’s festivities, symbolizing the unique way the championship brings people together from every corner of the country.
Expanding the Legacy
This year’s Grey Cup holds even more meaning for the Ryan family, as Kevin’s daughter will be joining the group for the first time. Four generations united in their love of the game and their commitment to making memories at the country’s premier football showcase illustrates just how powerful and personal the Grey Cup experience can be.
Stories like theirs reflect the event’s status as more than just a sporting competition — it is a gathering place for shared experiences, new memories, and emotional connections that endure long after the final whistle.
More Than Football: A Week of Celebration
A Festival Atmosphere
Beyond the gridiron, Grey Cup festivities offer fans a range of entertainment options that extend throughout the city. Winnipeg has transformed its downtown into a celebratory hub, with live music, nightlife events, culinary competitions, and public gatherings showcasing local culture and Canadian traditions. Whether fans come to cheer, socialize, dance, or simply soak in the atmosphere, the hosting city embraces visitors with open arms.
Grey Cup week festivals have grown steadily over the years, becoming a marquee attraction independent of the championship itself. Supporters who make the pilgrimage often say that even if their team is not competing, the weekend remains unforgettable because of the people, the traditions, and the vibrant environment that surrounds it.
The Heart of the Grey Cup Experience
Why Fans Return Year After Year
Whether dressing up in elaborate costumes, sharing stories with strangers who soon become friends, or watching family connections deepen across generations, fans agree that the Grey Cup experience reflects the essence of Canadian sports culture. The event celebrates inclusivity, passion, regional pride, and unity, even among rivals.
It is one of the few national events where the community spirit outweighs the competitive divide. Fans who sit in different sections, wear different colours, and support different teams still raise their voices together — celebrating not just the championship, but the identity of Canadian football itself.
Conclusion
As the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes prepare for their final clash on Sunday, thousands of supporters have already declared victory through the relationships and memories forged during Grey Cup week. The event has once again proven that its greatest value lies not only in the scoreline, but in the sense of community it inspires year after year.
From families who have turned the championship into a lifelong tradition, to spirited fans who travel the country in full costume, to everyday supporters simply seeking to participate in an uplifting Canadian experience, the Grey Cup remains a symbol of national pride, shared passion, and collective celebration. And whether their teams take home the trophy or not, many will already be counting the days until they meet again next year — ready to return to the heart of Canadian football, and to the community that makes the Grey Cup truly unforgettable.
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