Win, lose or tie, there will be a draw.
The lucky number for what will ideally be a precedent-setting 50/50 prize will be announced upon the conclusion of Sunday’s CFL game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
“We are really hoping to break the record,” said Cindy Fuchs, executive director of the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation.
“The record for the largest 50/50 in Rider history in a regular-season or playoff game — well over $500,000 — was set last year at the Labour Day Classic. The winners took home $269,000 (which was split evenly between four people who teamed up to buy the ticket).
“We’re really hoping to crack $600,000 this year. We’re doing everything we can to talk about that, because it would be so cool to have a sellout, a $600,000 pot and a Rider win.”
Half the proceeds from each Roughrider Foundation 50/50 draw — presented by ISC — support amateur football across the province.
Although tickets will be sold until the end of Sunday’s game, the early-bird deadline — Thurs., Aug. 29 at 5 p.m. — is looming.
Everyone who purchases a ticket before Thursday’s late-afternoon deadline will be eligible to win an all-inclusive Hawaiian vacation or $9,000 cash.
As well, a $10 add-on option is available for people who fancy the notion of winning a Roughriders-themed golf cart.
Tickets can be purchased online (https://www.riders5050.ca/) or in person at the game.
“You don’t have to be at the game to win,” Fuchs noted.
Representatives of the University of Regina Rams will be scouring the stands and selling tickets on Sunday.
“The Rams selling tickets is a great bonus for us,” Fuchs said. “They usually have 45 to 50 volunteers. This weekend, they’ll probably have 60 volunteers selling tickets for the 50/50.
“They do a fantastic job.”
The Rams and their principal Canada West rival — the University of Saskatchewan Huskies — are among the organizations that benefit from the 50/50 draw.
Money generated from this initiative also assists teams in the Prairie Football Conference (Saskatoon Hilltops, Regina Thunder) and Western Women’s Canadian Football League (Regina Riot, Saskatoon Valkyries).
“The 50-50 supports all the elite teams and also Football Saskatchewan,” Fuchs said. “So if your child plays flag football or any type of football, we’re supporting that football fee. It goes through Football Sask.
“It also supports KidSport. Every child who wants to play football will get a chance to play, because we fund them. There are about 63 kids who use KidSport for football fees in the province, which is great.”
The list of beneficiaries also includes the Northern Saskatchewan Football League. NSFL players and coaches will participate in a late-September camp that is to be held at Mosaic Stadium, leading up to the Roughriders’ Sept. 28 home game against the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
Prices for the 50/50 draw are $20 (five tickets), $50 (20), $100 (50) and $200 (200). Tickets are available only in Saskatchewan.
The winning ticket number will be announced on the website and SaskTel MaxTron. The owner(s) of the winning ticket will be contacted — and congratulated — directly.
“That is a phone call I really enjoy making,” Fuchs concluded.
