Roughriders finally launch Grey Cup defense against Lions

The defending champion Saskatchewan Roughriders take the field for the first time in 2026 when they host the BC Lions on Saturday night in Regina, Sask.

The Roughriders will raise their fifth Grey Cup banner prior to the game against one of the teams they beat during their postseason run.

Trevor Harris threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to the since-departed Tommy Nield with 11 seconds left as Saskatchewan knocked off BC 24-21 in the West Division final. The Roughriders went on to beat the Montreal Alouettes for their first Grey Cup triumph since 2013.

This is the season opener for both squads after Week 1 byes.

The Roughriders are trying to put the 2025 title season behind them and place their focus on the current campaign.

"It doesn't have anything to do with this year, period," Saskatchewan coach Corey Mace said of the Grey Cup crown. "We're a new team. We've got to go out there and prove that we're still a good team."

Of course, defending a title isn't easy. But the Roughriders think they can make a run as well as improve on last season's CFL-best 12-6 regular-season record.

"The sky's the limit for this group," said Harris, who was MVP of the Grey Cup. "We've just got to make sure that we're pressing on the gas pedal every day."

Harris, 40, passed for 4,549 yards and 24 touchdowns against 11 interceptions during the regular season last year.

BC quarterback Nathan Rourke set career highs of 5,290 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while winning CFL Most Outstanding Player honors. The passing yardage was a CFL record for a Canadian-born quarterback.

Rourke found it odd to have a bye in Week 1 and he's itching to get on the field against the Roughriders.

"It was a bit strange," Rourke said. "Other games were going on, so you want to get going. Especially with a game like this, we're excited to play a team of the caliber as Saskatchewan."

The Lions (11-7 last season) know it will be a tough opening test.

"It's going to be a physical game," BC coach Buck Pierce said. "They'll have that place rocking. We need to focus on the things we can control."

Both teams feature running backs coming off career-best campaigns.

A.J. Ouellette of the Roughriders finished second in the CFL with his career-high 1,222 rushing yards. He had a career-best eight rushing scores.

BC's James Butler recorded a career-best 1,213 rushing yards and a career-high 11 rushing touchdowns. He was third in the CFL in rushing yardage and tied for the TD lead.

Counting the postseason, Saskatchewan has won five of the past six meetings.

--Field Level Media