Those wanting to go a Riders game at Mosaic Stadium are going to have to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or provide a negative test result starting with the team’s home game Friday, September 17 against Toronto.

While other teams had already said this would be done in their stadium either because of a mandate from their provincial government or the team itself, the Riders and Edmonton Elks were the only teams to not establish a policy until Monday’s announcement with the Elks doing the same thing.

President and CEO Craig Reynolds says many are for the move and many are against it so he doesn’t know what type of impact this will have.

“We’re hopeful that for some folks who may have made the decision to stay home that this will change their mind.” Reynolds said. ‘We also know there are some who now will be staying away so time will tell.”

Fans under the age of 12, who are currently unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, will be exempt from the vaccination requirement. A negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of the start of the game will also be accepted for partially vaccinated adults or those who may be unable to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons.

The organization will be working on the logistics of how to accept proof of vaccination while working closely with the SHA, REAL and provincial health officials.  Details are currently not available as to how that will be done as the process is just beginning, but will be shared once the plans have been finalized.