Football fans from across Canada in Vancouver for Grey Cup celebrate 'glory and beauty of the CFL'

When Winnipeggers Barbara and Sylvia Main travelled to Vancouver for their first Grey Cup in 1990, there was no zip line.

Butbeing back on the West Coast for this weekend's Grey Cup matchbrings a sense of nostalgia for themother-daughter duo.

"It is where we first startedfirst mother-daughter Grey Cup ... so it is kind of sentimental for us to be back here again together enjoying the Grey Cup," daughter Sylvia said on Friday. "We're ready for the Bombers to bring [another] one home."

The Mains are among the football fans from across the country who have converged onVancouver, eager tobuild relationships and strengthen their camaraderie with like-minded fans who are passionate about theCanadian Football League.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts are vying to win the 111th Grey Cup on Sunday. Winnipeg and Toronto fans, along with thoserepresenting the league's other seven teams, have taken in activities at the Grey Cup Festival, including concerts, parties, adrone show and a zip line that runs downthe harbour.

B.C.'s tourism ministry says it expects the festivities to bring in 30,000 out-of-province fans and drive an economic boost of $125 million.

The Mains, who have been Bombers season-ticket holders since 1987,have been in the stands together at an estimated 20 Grey Cup games over the past 35 years, including each of Winnipeg's last three triumphs.

In that 1990 game theysaw, Winnipeg, led by the CFL's top defence, crushed Edmonton 50-11for the Bombers' 10th Grey Cup title. But Bombers fans had to waituntil 2019for Winnipegto layclaim to the CFL's holy grail again, before earning a repeatchampionship victory in 2021after the pandemic cancelled the 2020 season.

Over the decades of games, the Mains say they'veforgedmany friendships a big reason they've attended so many Grey Cups.

"We've met so many amazing fans across the league. This is our time to get together with fans again just to celebrate the CFL and our friendship, and hopefully cheer on our team when they're in the Grey Cup," Sylvia said.

They've already invited some friends to come to their tailgate party at next year's Grey Cup, which will be played at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.

40th Grey Cup for Winnipegger

Hans Stasiukwon't have to travel to next year's game either, but this year's editionis a milestone for the Winnipegger Sunday will be his 40th Grey Cup game.

"When my dad started taking me back in 1980 I enjoyed it, but I never thought I would get to this stage of 40 Grey Cups," he told CBC News onFriday, calling it "a wonderful feeling."

Stasiuk said he loves getting the opportunity to reconnect with the same people year after year, including CFLHall of FamerWally Buono.

"Every Grey Cup I bump into Wally Buono, and I saw him [Friday] and I said, 'You know Wally, it's not the same if I don't see you at a Grey Cup,'" Stasiuk said.

"People are just so friendly. I've never really met one person in 40 years at Grey Cups that wasn't nice."

Like Stasiuk and the Mains, Montreal's Dino Mazzoneplansto be in Winnipegfor the 2025 Grey Cup.

He's been to six Grey Cups, dating back to the late 1970s, when he went with his dad.

Hewas so convinced his beloved Alouettes were going todefendthe title they won last year against the Bombers that he booked his hotel room for this year's Grey Cup one week after the last game.

"It was a little disappointing, but we're proud CFL fans, and I'll still go to a CFL game every year," Mazzone said. "The Grey Cup for me is a part of my life now."

Without the Alouettes in the game, after the team's loss inthe East final to the Argos, he'll be rooting hard forthe Bombers on Sunday.

"I'm a big fan of[Bombers running back] Brady Oliveirathe most outstanding Canadian and the most outstanding player," he said."I think they are going to definitely beat Toronto this year."

Regardless of who's playing, Mazzonewishes more Canadians would come out and experience Grey Cup week.

"The people have been amazing, and all these Canadians from across the country just really being nice with each other, enjoying our culture and our camaraderie and our love for this game," he said.

"It's been a beautiful thing, and I think that's the glory and beauty of the CFL."

Toronto fans confident

Toronto fans in Vancouver this week, meanwhile, say they're confident in their team.

The Argonauts lost starting quarterback and 2023 CFL most outstanding player Chad Kelly to a leg injury in the East final, but fan David Brown said he has faith in backup Nick Arbuckle.

"[I'm] very optimistic, feeling very strong about it. Arbuckle's got this," Brown said.

"We have a very strong team right through and through. I mean, the loss with Kelly is a big, big, big loss for this team, but they're going to do this for Chad."

Fan Glenn Stevenson understands why Winnipeg is considered thefavourite to win, but cautions against underestimating Arbuckle and the underdog Argos.

"I think it's going to be much closer than people expect. I think Arbuckle's ready. He's got a good strong arm. He knows the offence. He's going to do extremely well," Stevenson said.

Toronto was also the underdog in 2022, when the team earned a24-23 Grey Cup victory over the Bombers on a last-minute blocked field goal, preventing a Winnipeg three-peat.

Regardless of Sunday's result, Stevenson is savouring his 14th Grey Cup week with CFL fans from across Canada.

"It's great because even though fans are coming from across the country cheering for different teams it's always very friendly," he said."It's a great time, great atmosphere."

Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans converge on Vancouver ahead of 111th Grey Cup

2 days ago

Duration 3:25

The excitement continues in Vancouver, where Winnipeg Blue Bombers fans have landed ahead of Sunday's big Grey Cup match up against the Toronto Argonauts.