CFL Unveils 2026 Season Schedule

The Canadian Football League (CFL) has announced its schedule for the 2026 season, set to kick off on June 4. This year’s campaign features a thrilling rematch of the 2025 Eastern Final between the Montreal Alouettes and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The season will culminate in the 113th Grey Cup on November 15, held at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

2026 CFL Season Schedule Highlights

The 2026 CFL regular season includes 23 games, all starting at or before 4:00 p.m. local time. This timing encourages families to enjoy the afternoon games together. CTV will broadcast select Saturday matchups, making them accessible to audiences across Canada. In the U.S., CBS Sports Network will feature select games, while fans can stream all matches through CFL+, available live and on-demand. Viewers outside North America can also access the full season on CFL+.

Pre-Season Games

The CFL is introducing three pre-season games outside traditional markets, aimed at strengthening fan connections:

• Saskatoon: The Roughriders host the Blue Bombers on May 23 at Griffiths Stadium, marking a return since 1991.
• Langford: The Lions will face the Elks at Starlight Stadium for the second consecutive year.
• Guelph: The Argonauts will prepare at the University of Guelph, facing the Tiger-Cats on May 29.

Key Matches in Week 1

The opening week of the season will feature three exciting matchups:

• Thursday, June 4: Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Friday, June 5: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Calgary Stampeders, 9:00 p.m. ET
• Saturday, June 6: Edmonton Elks at Ottawa Redblacks, 7:00 p.m. ET

Special Events and Holidays

The CFL season will include several unique events and holiday games:

• Touchdown Kelowna: Scheduled from June 27 to July 4, featuring games at Save-On-Foods Field.
• Stampede Bowl: Calgary will host the Argonauts on July 2, coinciding with the Calgary Stampede.
• Labour Day Weekend: Notable matchups include BC at Montreal and a rematch of the Grey Cup champion Roughriders against the Alouettes on October 12.

Playoff and Grey Cup Details

The regular season concludes on October 24. The playoffs begin on October 31, leading up to:

The 2026 CFL season promises excitement and numerous opportunities for fans to engage with their favorite teams. Stay tuned to El-Balad for updates and coverage throughout the season.