Regina Riot lose season opener to Saskatoon Valkyries

With many new athletes and staff part of the Regina Riot this year, the team says it's are excited for the season ahead. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News)

The Regina Riot lost to the Saskatoon Valkyries in its season opener at Leibel Field.

The defending champion Valkyries beat the Riot 15-7.

Though a disappointing result for the Riot, General Manager Aimee Kowalski was anxious to get the ball rolling on the 2026 Western Women’s Canadian Football League season.

“We’re excited to get out here to showcase our athletes and our new coaching staff,” Kowalski said before the game. “It’s always a great rivalry when Saskatoon comes down to play.”

The Riot were established in 2011.

“We got a pretty athletic crew. Lots of new athletes, lots of our old core athletes as well, and bringing in a new coaching crew with some new schemes and excited to see where they perform,” she said.

As fans filled the bleachers on Sunday, Kowalski encouraged people to come out and support the team for the rest of the season.

“These women out here playing are awesome. They don’t just play football, they’re moms, they’re students, they’re people that work and in different professions,” she shared.

“They really focus on the season when it comes to end of April to end of June and they really deserve to have some fans in the stands and people out there cheering for them.”

In partnership with the Saskatchewan Ovarian Cancer Survivors Group, the Regina Riot will also be fundraising to support cancer research through its 50/50 ticket sales held throughout the season.