Riders to learn fate of bid for Grey Cup Thursday

The winning bid for the 2020 Grey Cup game is to be revealed Thursday.

The CFL announced in a media release Friday that its Grey Cup committee has reviewed the three bids and the final decision rests with the board of governors.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes are bidding to host the CFL’s marquee event.

“We want to thank all three organizations for first-class bids, any one of which would continue to take the Grey Cup game and festival to new heights,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a prepared statement.

The Riders were the first team to announce their interest in bidding for the 2020 Grey Cup game and festival.

Regina has been the site of Grey Cup games in 1995, 2003 and 2013. No Grey Cup has been played in new Mosaic Stadium.

Saskatchewan’s bid includes the game and festival being held at Evraz Place, the first time those events would be conducted at one site. The Riders also tied the 110th anniversary of their franchise into the bid.

“We want to thank the CFL and the Grey Cup committee for their diligence throughout the bid process,” Riders president and CEO Craig Reynolds said in a prepared statement. “We feel like we put forth a strong and compelling bid to host the 2020 Grey Cup in our 110th anniversary year where we will be able to showcase Mosaic Stadium and Saskatchewan’s incredible hospitality.”

Hamilton hasn’t hosted the Grey Cup game since 1999. It was last played in Montreal in 2008.

The 2019 Grey Cup game is to be played in Calgary on Nov. 24.