The Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League use a primary logo built around a stylized green “S” flanked by wheat stalks, a mark that dates to 1985 and was refined in 2016. The team, based in Regina, Saskatchewan, is widely known by the nickname “the Green and White,” reflecting its long-standing colour scheme.
Design and History
The Roughriders’ current primary logo was originally developed in 1985 and remained essentially unchanged for over 30 years. In March 2016, the club unveiled an updated version with four main modifications: the white inside line was eliminated, the three inside horizontal lines were changed from staggered to straight, the tail of the “S” was shortened to balance with the top, and silver was replaced with white. At the time, the club said the goal was to evolve the logo to become more vibrant with a distinct focus on green and white, while maintaining the iconic image. The update coincided with a new jersey partnership with adidas and the team’s upcoming move to new Mosaic Stadium. The new logo was implemented where possible in 2016, with full implementation targeted for 2017. [1] [2]
Green and white have been the team’s primary colours since 1948, when the club adopted a green-themed appearance. Prior to that, the Roughriders had used purple and “old gold” (1910), blue and white (1911), and red and black (1912 to 1947). [3] The 1985 logo itself added black and silver accents to the green and white, a look that lasted until the 2016 refresh removed the silver. [4]
In September 2024, the Roughriders introduced a separate Indigenous logo designed by Chris Chipak of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation (Treaty 6), commissioned as an act of truth and reconciliation. The design features imagery inspired by the Treaty 4 flag and was worn on helmets for a special kisiskâciwan game. [5] [6] A full-colour variation of this Indigenous logo was unveiled in June 2025, also designed by Chipak. [7]
Meaning and Symbolism
The wheat imagery in the Roughriders’ identity carries documented regional symbolism. In the 2024 “Rider Nation” alternate uniform, the club explained that the wheat spike found in the middle of the “S” is a symbol of Saskatchewan and its people, topped by a 13th kernel representing the “13th man” or 13th player, a reference to the team’s fans. [8] [9]
For the Indigenous logo unveiled in 2024, the club stated that the Rider green found in the bottom part of the “S” represents the tenacity of the people of Saskatchewan. [9] In the full-colour version released in 2025, green (grass), blue (river) and yellow (sun) represent the Treaty promise: “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the river flows.” [10]
Typography and Design
The primary logo is built around a stylized italic “S” with wheat stalks running through the design. The 2016 update removed the white inside liner, straightened the three horizontal lines within the “S,” shortened the tail so it balances with the top of the letter, and replaced silver with white, leaving a cleaner two-colour green and white mark. [1] [11]
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