Blue Bombers post $7M operating profit in 2024, raking in a total of $54.7M

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers posted a $7-million operating profit last season, the CFL club announced Wednesday.

"It's just the testament of our fans and the strong work of our team to just build a great game-day experience," said Wade Miller, president and CEO of the club, a non-profit corporation.

Total expenses for the year were $47.7 million, with revenues of $54.7 million, says the 2024 annual report released Wednesday.

The team recorded five sellouts in its nine regular season contests at Princess Auto Stadium, which has a capacity of 32,343. Average attendance for the year was more than 31,000, Miller said.

That success follows 2023, when the team scored a $5.7 million profit.

"It's just been another great, fantastic year. And on the field, obviously it helps when you're a successful winning team," Miller said.

Winnipeg finished atop the West Division standings for a fourth straight year in 2024 with an 11-7 record, and now sports a regular-season record of 51-17 since the 2021 season.

The team has appeared in five consecutive Grey Cup championship games (2020 season was cancelled due to the pandemic). The Bombers won the first two but have lost three straight.

The club's strong financial position has allowed it to make upgrades to its stadium. In 2024, $7.1 million was spent on several projects, such as the replacement of the stadium turf and field wall, renovation of the Bomber Store and installation of a new LED ribbon board that wraps around the inside of the facility.

At the Bomber Store, some banners were replaced and two new grab-and-go concession locations were added.

Outside the stadium, the club improved the tailgate plaza area by adding a permanent stage, a new barbecue shack, permanent power and enhanced lighting for safety.

"We're the stewards of Princess Auto Stadium and look after it and take care of all the repairs and maintenance and capital improvements," Miller said.

The Bombers entered into an agreement with the Manitoba government and Triple B Stadium in 2021 that established a capital fund dedicated to long-term stadium improvements.

The latest profits will go into that capital fund, with the club planning this year to upgrade the HVAC system, create a new players' lounge and add more contactless security screening devices at the gates.

The stadium itself is owned by Triple B, which is a consortium that includes the Bombers, the province, the City of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba.