CFL schedule makers have given the Winnipeg Blue Bombers a few extra weeks to complete Investors Group Field by having the team on the road for the first several games of the 2012 season.
The new 33,500-seat football stadium at the University of Manitoba is facing construction delays and was set to open by the start of the regular playing season in a couple months. The team is hoping its home will be ready to play in by either the start of the season or shortly thereafter.
The league released the playing schedule on Friday, which will see the Blue Bombers open their season June 29 in Vancouver against the BC Lions — the same team that defeated them in last year’s Grey Cup. The Blue and Gold will play four road games to start the season and won’t play at home until July 26 when they host the Edmonton Eskimos.
The Blue Bombers home schedule will feature three Friday night games, two Thursday night games, three Saturday games and the Manitoba Lotteries Banjo Bowl on Sunday, September 9 against the archrival Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The complete schedule is available at BlueBombers.com.
