This was the 11th time that the city of Hamilton hosted the Grey Cup, with the previous coming in 1996, and the first to be played at the new Tim Hortons Field.

[13] Litigation over the construction of Tim Hortons Field was settled on May 31, 2018, which had prevented the Tiger-Cats from bidding on a Grey Cup game prior to then.

[15] Under Ontario public health orders, Tim Hortons Field could operate at full capacity, but all attendees aged 12 and over were required to present proof of vaccination for COVID-19.

[20] The Blue Bombers finished a dominant season with the best record in the CFL at 11–3 with two of their losses occurring after already clinching first place in the West Division.

[24] The team also allowed just six total points scored in the fourth quarter in the first twelve games of the season.

[27] Despite perennial All-Star running back Andrew Harris missing half of the regular season due to injury, the Blue Bombers finished second in rushing offence in the league, led behind the team's four Division All-Stars on the offensive line.

[18] Due to the reduced 14 game schedule, Winnipeg and Hamilton met just once during the 2021 regular season, this being the traditional Grey Cup rematch in Week 1.

[19] The Blue Bombers allowed a touchdown on Hamilton's opening drive, but shut out the Tiger-Cats for the rest of the game and won 19–6 at IG Field.

[31] Winnipeg won the coin toss, but elected to defer, choosing to play with the wind at their backs in the first and the fourth quarters.

[31] Hamilton replied in the second quarter with a field goal and a twelve-yard touchdown just before halftime, giving them a 10–7 lead.

[32] In overtime, Winnipeg drove down the field and Collaros threw a 13-yard touchdown, and made the two-point conversion to make it 33–25.

Then, on Hamilton's ensuing possession, Winnipeg linebacker Kyrie Wilson intercepted a deflected pass from Masoli, ending the game.

[31] Winnipeg became the first team to win back-to-back Grey Cups since the Montreal Alouettes in 2009–2010 (and the first West Division team to do so since the Edmonton Eskimos won five straight from 1978 to 1982), and Winnipeg won back-to-back Grey Cups for the first time since 1961–62.

Outside of North America, the Grey Cup was carried by ESPN International and its affiliated networks to 74 countries.

[35] The highest rated officials during the 2021 CFL season from their respective positions were selected for the game and announced on December 9.