Established
1930
City
Winnipeg
League History
1958 – Present / Canadian Football League
Team History
1930 - Present / Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Nickname
Blue Bombers - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been a part of the Canadian Football League since 1930 and are one of the oldest teams in professional football. Their name has become synonymous with success, having won 10 Grey Cups - more than any other team in CFL history. But where did their nickname come from?
The story behind how they got their name is an interesting one that dates back to 1935 when two local newspapers were running a contest for fans to choose a new moniker for the team. The winning entry was “Blue Bombers,” which Jack Haney submitted because he thought it sounded powerful and represented strength and courage - qualities he wanted his favorite team to embody on the field.
Since then, not only has "Blue Bombers" become firmly entrenched as Winnipeg's official football team nickname but also an important symbol of pride throughout Manitoba province. It also pays homage to Canada's proud military aviation heritage since World War I when Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flew biplanes called Avro 504Ks, nicknamed "blue bombers."
In addition to its historical roots, today, “Blue Bombers” carries even greater significance due in large part owing its strong connection with fans all over Canada who proudly wear blue jerseys or hats adorned with this iconic logo every time they cheer on their beloved hometown heroes at Investors Group Field or follow them on television during away games against rival teams like Saskatchewan Roughriders or Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
No matter what happens during each season, though, there is no denying that when you hear someone say, “Go Blue Bomber!” They are expressing support for not just a sports franchise but rather something much bigger –a deep sense of community spirit shared by passionate supporters across our great nation.
Championship
Grey Cup 10
1990. 1988, 1984, 1962, 1961, 1959, 1958, 1941, 1939, 1935
Stadium
2013 - Present / Investors Group Field
1953 - 2012 / Canad Inns Stadium
1935 - 1952 / Osborne Stadium
Owner
1930 - Present / Community - Widely Held
- 1930
- 1935 to 1941
- 1958 to 1962
- 1984 to 1990
-
Blue Bombers Team Formation
The Blue Bombers were founded in 1930 as the Winnipeg Football Club, which has always been the organization’s legal name. Unlike most other professional teams in the four most popular North American team sports (but much more common in soccer, especially in Europe) the official legal name Winnipeg Football Club continues to see significant everyday use alongside its nickname, particularly in local media and ... -
Grey Cup Champs 1935 – 1941
Grey Cup 1935 The 23rd Grey Cup was played on December 7, 1935, at Hamilton Amateur Athletic Association Grounds, with 6,405 fans in attendance. It marked the first time that a team from west of Ontario won the cup. The Winnipeg ‘Pegs defeated the Hamilton Tigers 18 to 12. Grey Cup 1939 The 27th Grey Cup was played on December 9, 1939, before 11,738 fans at Lansdowne Park at Ottawa. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the Ottawa ... -
Grey Cup Champs 1958 to 1962
Grey Cup 1958 The 46th Grey Cup was the championship game of the 1958 season of the Canadian Football League on November 29, 1958. The game was played in Vancouver’s Empire Stadium before a crowd of 36,567. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 35-28. This was the first Grey Cup game to be played under the aegis of the newly formed (and present-day) Canadian Football League. Grey Cup 1959 The 47th Grey ... -
Grey Cup Champs 1984 to 1990
Grey Cup 1984 The 72nd Grey Cup was the 1984 Canadian Football League championship game, played at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Blue Bombers dominated the Tiger-Cats in a 47-17 victory. Grey Cup 1988 The 76th Grey Cup was the 1988 Canadian Football League championship game that was played at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, between the BC Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are one of Canadian Football League (CFL) 's most storied teams. Founded in 1930, they have been a staple of CFL football for over 90 years and have earned an impressive 11 Grey Cup championships. The team has also produced legendary players, such as Hall-of-Famers Milt Stegall, Joe Poplawski, Ken Ploen, and Chris Walby, who contributed significantly to the franchise's success during their respective playing days.
Throughout its long history, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers organization has seen many highs and lows on both sides of victory. Still, no matter what happens, they remain competitive year after year, thanks to solid ownership groups that continue investing heavily into building a winning team with a quality coaching staff and talented rosters full of homegrown talent from Manitoba and other parts of Canada. As evidenced by their recent Grey Cup appearance in 2019, where they narrowly lost out on becoming champions once again, it’s clear that this is still very much a club capable of competing at the highest levels within the league despite being around for nearly a century now!
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will forever be remembered not only for its championship pedigree but also because it represents so much more than just football – it stands symbolically proud amongst fans across Canada who proudly cheer them on every game day regardless of win or lose! These passionate supporters combined with rich tradition make this beloved franchise a special place any sports fan should experience at least once in a lifetime - Go Bomber Go!!
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history