The Saskatchewan Roughriders have revealed their 2023 home game theme day experiences, highlighted as always by the Labour Day Weekend Classic against Winnipeg.
That game will be played Sunday, September 3 at Mosaic Stadium. Fan favourites that are returning are Family Day, Lights Out, Legends Night and Country Roots. Among the new theme experiences are Home Opener – Dad’s Night Out and Throwback Thursday. The regular-season home opener is Friday, June 16th against the Blue Bombers, two days before Father’s Day. The full list of home game theme experiences for this season follows below in a news release from the Riders.
Meanwhile, the Green and White followed that up by announcing the signing of Canadian receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker to a two-year contract extension. Schaffer-Baker posted career highs of 68 receptions for 960 yards and five touchdowns in 2022. He was Saskatchewan’s nominee for Most Oustanding Canadian last season and Most Outstanding Rookie in 2021. Following is the official news release from the Roughriders…..
DATE: April 12, 2023
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR23-041
RIDERS’ MOST OUTSTANDING CANADIAN KIAN SCHAFFER-BAKER SIGNS TWO-YEAR EXTENSION
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed National receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker to a two-year contract extension.
Schaffer-Baker (6’4-205) extends his stay in Riderville through 2025 after coming off a sensational sophomore season in Green and White. The 24-year-old set new career highs across the board with 68 catches for 960 yards and five touchdowns. A dynamic player with the ball in his hands, Schaffer-Baker earned an eye-popping 412 yards after catch and finished the season 11th in the CFL and second out of all Canadian wideouts in receiving yards. The Mississauga native recorded five catches for 170 yards and a touchdown in a Week 12 victory over the B.C. Lions and three catches for 110 yards in Week 17 against the Blue Bombers. Additionally, Schaffer-Baker had three more games with 90+ receiving yards. The 24-year-old also contributed to the run game, taking 13 handoffs for 74 yards. He was the Roughriders’ nominee for Most Outstanding Canadian in 2022 and Most Outstanding Rookie in 2021.
Schaffer-Baker was selected by the Roughriders in the fourth round, 30th overall, of the 2020 CFL Draft and first drew into the line-up in Week 3 of the 2021 season. He played all 12 of the remaining regular season games and caught 45 receptions for 550 yards, tallied two touchdowns and held a 13.6 yards per catch average. He added another 43 yards and one touchdown in the post-season.
Prior to the Riders, the fan favourite receiver spent four collegiate seasons at the University of Guelph. He played 28 games as a Gryphon recording 95 receptions for 1,544 yards and eight touchdowns. He impressed at the 2019 East-West Bowl where he led all receivers with five catches for 126 yards and a touchdown.
DATE: April 12, 2023
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR23-041
ROUGHRIDERS LAUNCH 2023 THEME DAY EXPERIENCES
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are excited to announce the launch of ten exciting, can’t-miss theme games for the 2023 season. Each home game will bring the fans a unique experience that can only be found at Mosaic Stadium, THE place to watch Roughrider football in 2023.
This year’s themes include a mix of fun, new themes like “Home Opener – Dad’s Night Out” and “Throwback Thursday” while bringing back fan favourites like Family Day, Lights Out, Legends Night, and Country Roots.
“We can’t wait to bring Rider Nation back to Mosaic Stadium for the 2023 season,” said Chief Brand Officer Anthony Partipilo. “From the moment they step on the footprint, fans can expect fun-for-the-whole-family pre and post-game activities, exhilarating halftime shows, and exclusive giveaways. Each game promises its own special experience you won’t want to miss!”
We celebrate kicking off the season at our Home Opener – Dad’s Night Out, presented by Ruffles on Friday, June 16th. With Father’s Day falling on the same weekend, it’s the perfect place to celebrate early with dad-themed contests, a free Rider cap giveaway (first 5,000 dads), in-game promotions and a rockin’ halftime performance from Canadian music legend Kim Mitchell. Tickets to the Home Opener will go on sale starting on Monday, April 24th, and it is sure to be a night to remember!
Come check out Throwback Thursday, presented by Brandt (July 6), a new theme that will turn the clock back at Mosaic Stadium for a night! Rock your favourite retro Riders gear and complete the look by grabbing Free Retro Rider Sunglasses at the gate (first 5,000 fans)! The team will sport their retro uniforms and with a full retro feel taking over game day, you might feel like you’re back at Historic Mosaic Stadium for a night!
There is no other game quite like the fan favourite Lights Out Game, presented by NexGen Energy (Friday, September 15) as the visually mesmerizing spectacle on the prairies returns to light up Mosaic Stadium for a night!
Legends Night – 2013 Grey Cup Anniversary, presented by Purolator (Saturday, October 7) returns to celebrate the heroes of our past! We honour the newest inductees of the Sasktel Plaza of Honour as well as the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 Grey Cup Championship Team! The first 5,000 fans will receive a free 2013 Grey Cup Replica Ring! You don’t want to miss your chance to obtain a cool piece of Rider history!
Our regular season home schedule concludes with the 13th Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Capital Automotive Group (Saturday, October 21). This special night is when we show you, the fans, how much you mean to us. With tons of giveaways (including a brand-new vehicle!!!), and a player autograph session on the field after the game, it’s our way of saying ‘Thank You’ for all you do for us.
The fun-filled Coors Light Party in the Park is back and starts three hours before kick-off. Party in the Park will be taken up a notch this season and be fully incorporated in the game theme and will have live bands getting you amped up for some football.
The Club is also happy to announce that our 2023 Ticket Packages are on sale now with something for every fan!
It starts with the return of the ever-popular Family Pack for $99.00, the easiest way to bring a family of four to the game. Families wanting a next-level game day experience can look no further than the Ultimate Family Pack for $269.00 – which provides tickets to two home games along with parking and pre-game sideline passes!
Other ticket packs include the Night Out Pack and the Touchdown Pack, with each pack bringing an exciting and elevated experience. Along with a game ticket, the packages can include pre-game sideline passes, food and beverage vouchers, and parking.
These packages offer fans the first shot at tickets to all games (excluding Labour Day) before single game tickets go on sale on May 5th. Large group packages and special offers are also available now by contacting the Rider Ticket Office at tickets@saskriders.com.
2023 Game Day Themes
Saturday, May 27 at 5:00 p.m. – Community Culture Night
- Join us as the Riders celebrate the diverse cultural backgrounds of our province. Community Culture Night includes multicultural performances at Coors Light Party in the Park, on-field pre-game and a special halftime show. Following the game, fans will be allowed on the field to celebrate the return of football!
Friday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. – Home Opener – Dad’s Night Out, Presented by Ruffles
- Celebrating the season Home Opener Dads of Rider Nation on Father’s Day Weekend with fun filled dad-themed entertainment. Canadian Rock Legend Kim Mitchell headlines the first Rider Concert Series of the season! The first 5,000 Dads through the gate will get a FREE Riders Cap! Local rockers Wonderland take the stage at Coors Light Party in the Park, followed by a pre-game performance from Rider Flo Dance Crew presented by Engelheim. Tickets go on sale April 24th.
Thursday, July 6 at 7:00 p.m. – Throwback Thursday, Presented by Brandt
- The Riders are throwing it back with our retro uniforms and a full retro feel all over Mosaic Stadium! Throwback Rock N’ Rollers Vinyl Society performs at Coors Light Party in the Park and the Riders Pep Band will play Pre-Game. The first 5,000 fans will receive a free pair of Retro Rider Sunglasses, courtesy of Brandt! An old-school rock and roll band, sure to knock your socks off, will take the stage at halftime for the Rider Concert Series.
Saturday, July 15 at 5:00 p.m. – kisiskâciwan Game, Presented by SIGA
- Celebrating the diverse and beautiful Indigenous cultures in Saskatchewan! This game includes special on-field performances from Indigenous performers during pre-game and halftime along with the band Detour taking the stage at Coors Light Party in the Park. Fans are welcome on the field following the game!
Sunday, August 6 at 5:00 p.m. – Country Roots Night, Presented by Young’s Equipment
- Dust off your boots and cowboy hats for Country Roots! The first 5,000 fans will receive a free country-style bandana courtesy of Young’s Equipment. Rider Flo Dance Crew presented by Engelheim returns to Mosaic Stadium and we’ll have a special country themed on-field entertainment at halftime!
Sunday, August 20 at 5:00 p.m. – Family Day
- Bring the whole family for fun activities including face painters, inflatables and popular character appearances at Coors Light Party in the Park. Free Plush Gainer Dolls to the first 5,000 children upon entry! The Junior Cheer program will perform at halftime and fans will be invited on the field after the game.
Sunday, September 3 at 5:00 p.m. – 58th Labour Day Classic, Presented by Mosaic
- It’s the game no Rider fan wants to miss – the Labour Day Classic against the rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Canadian Armed Forces join the Roughriders for a flyover during the National Anthem! The Gecko Band Vallarta will get Rider Nation pumped up at Coors Light Party in the Park and the popular Labour Day Watermelon Eating Contest also makes its return. Saskatoon rockers The Steadies will perform at halftime for the Rider Concert Series.
Friday, September 15 at 7:30 p.m. – Lights Out, Presented by NexGen Energy
- The visually spectacular night starts at Coors Light Party in the Park with a DJ Battle between DJ Tolley T and a special guest DJ! The whole stadium will be glowing with light-up giveaway items, adding to the atmosphere all game long. Be in your seat for Rider Flo Dance Crew presented by Engelheim and the pre-game show before everyone’s favourite – Bring ‘Em Out! And don’t go too far at halftime as we’ll have a special Lights Out Halftime show!
Saturday, October 7 at 5:00 p.m. – Legends Night – 2013 Grey Cup Anniversary, Presented by Purolator
- This is the night where Rider Nation celebrates the SaskTel Plaza of Honour and our 2013 Grey Cup Champions. Local cover band Grimstone performs at Coors Light Party in the Park and the first 5,000 fans will receive a free replica 2013 Championship Ring! It’s also our Purolator Tackle Hunger game – so bring a non-perishable food item to be collected at the gate.
Saturday, October 21 at 2:00 p.m. – 13th Fan Appreciation, Presented by Capital Automotive Group
- This special game is just for the 13th Man. We show our appreciation to the best fans in the CFL with lots of giveaways (we seriously can’t stress how much we are giving away), surprises and interactive fun. Coors Light Party in the Park will have live music courtesy of EPIC and Rider Flo Dance Crew presented by Engelheim will perform pre-game. One lucky fan will go home with a brand-new vehicle at halftime courtesy of the Capitalville Pick#6 giveaway, brought to you by Capital Automotive Group! We will also celebrate the Cameco Touchdown for Dreams and fans will be invited on the field for a post-game autograph session.
