2026 CFL Schedule released: Grey Cup rematch, Stadium shifts, and Thanksgiving showdowns set
The 2026 Canadian Football League season will kick off on Thursday, June 4, with a thrilling East Division rematch as the Montreal Alouettes visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, launching an 18-week campaign that culminates in the 113th Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on November 15.
Season openers and Grey Cup banner raising
Week 1 features three key matchups: Montreal at Hamilton on June 4, Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Calgary Stampeders on June 5, and Edmonton Elks at Ottawa Redblacks on June 6. The defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders open their season in Week 2 with a highly anticipated home game against the BC Lions on June 13, where they will raise their championship banner in a rematch of the 2025 West Final.
Pre-season in new markets and regular-season disruptions
Three pre-season games will be played outside of traditional CFL markets: Saskatchewan faces Winnipeg in Saskatoon on May 23, BC hosts Edmonton in Langford, BC on the same night, and Toronto Argonauts welcome Hamilton to Guelph, Ontario on May 29. Due to the FIFA World Cup taking place in Toronto, the Argonauts will play three “home” games in opponents’ stadiums during the first half of the season: against Saskatchewan in Regina on June 26, versus Winnipeg in Winnipeg on July 10, and against Hamilton in Hamilton on July 18.
Highlight matchups and tradition
The schedule is packed with can’t-miss games. The Touchdown Kelowna series continues with BC hosting Calgary on June 27 and Edmonton on July 4. Calgary will host the second annual Stampede Bowl against Toronto on July 2. Labour Day weekend features classic rivalries: BC at Montreal, Winnipeg at Saskatchewan (the Banjo Bowl rematch), Toronto at Hamilton, and Edmonton at Calgary. Canadian Thanksgiving weekend is highlighted by a Grey Cup rematch when Montreal hosts Saskatchewan on October 12.
Playoff road to Calgary
The regular season concludes on October 24. The playoffs begin on Halloween with the Division Semi-Finals, followed by the Division Finals on November 7. The 113th Grey Cup will be played at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on November 15. The league has also scheduled 23 early-start games (4 p.m. local or earlier) to make games more accessible for families and younger fans.
