113th Grey Cup

Host city selection and venue

The decision to award the 113th Grey Cup to Calgary followed a competitive bidding process that also involved the Edmonton Elks. In September 2024, reports indicated both the Elks and the Calgary Stampeders were actively seeking to host the 2026 championship game. The Edmonton bid was contingent on planned renovations to Commonwealth Stadium, while Calgary's proposal centred on its existing facility, McMahon Stadium. The CFL made the official announcement on November 8, 2024, confirming Calgary as the successful host city. The stadium's selection for 2026 continues a tradition of using established CFL venues with significant capacity and fan infrastructure for the league's premier event.

Scheduling and date significance

The 113th Grey Cup is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 2026. This date aligns with the league's recent pattern, as it will be the fifth consecutive season the championship is played on the third Sunday of November. The date was confirmed as part of the host city announcement in November 2024. A notable aspect of this scheduling is that November 15, 2026, will be the earliest calendar date on which a Grey Cup championship game has ever been played. While the latest CFL Collective Bargaining Agreement provided the league with the option to move the season start date forward by up to 30 days, the decision was made to maintain the traditional late autumn timeline for the championship finale. The consistency of the third Sunday in November for five straight years provides predictability for fans, teams, and broadcast partners in planning for the event.

Pre-game and halftime entertainment

The 113th Grey Cup will feature a notable lineup of pre-game and halftime entertainment events designed to appeal to a broad audience. Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan is scheduled to perform the national anthem prior to the opening kickoff. The anthem performance will be followed by a ceremonial flyover conducted by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds aerial demonstration team. This flyover is planned to be the final public performance for the Snowbirds before the retirement of that specific aircraft and demonstration program, adding a unique ceremonial element to the pre-game festivities. For the halftime show, the CFL has secured American country music artist Riley Green as the featured performer. These entertainment elements are designed to complement the championship sporting event with significant cultural and patriotic presentations, creating a full spectacle around the game itself.

Broadcast and media coverage

The television broadcast rights for the 113th Grey Cup in Canada will be shared across multiple Bell Media properties, ensuring wide national coverage. The game will be televised simultaneously on the CTV network and on the TSN specialty channels. It will also be available for streaming on the Crave platform. French-language coverage will be provided by the RDS network. This multi-platform approach guarantees that fans across the country will have several options to watch the championship game live. The broadcast consortium has a long history of covering the CFL's premier event, bringing the game into millions of Canadian homes. The extensive coverage typically includes pre-game shows, expert analysis, and post-game celebrations, making it a full-day broadcast event for Canadian football fans.

Historical context of Calgary as host

Calgary has established itself as a recurring and successful host city for the Grey Cup throughout the modern era of the CFL. The 2026 game will be the city's sixth time hosting, a total that highlights its strong connection to the league and the event. Previous Grey Cups held in Calgary have often been remembered for competitive games, large crowds, and the city's enthusiastic embrace of the accompanying festival. The most recent Calgary-hosted Grey Cup in 2019 saw the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, ending a long championship drought. Hosting duties provide a significant economic and cultural boost to the city, with the week-long festival leading up to the game featuring concerts, parties, and other fan events. The return to McMahon Stadium continues a tradition of hosting the game in venues with deep CFL histories and strong local fan support.

Key Grey Cup games hosted in Calgary include the 113th Grey Cup. This game will be played on November 15, 2026, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. It will be the sixth time that Calgary has hosted the Grey Cup. The most recent Grey Cup hosted in Calgary was in 2019.

The 2026 game will add a new chapter to this history. It will be played on November 15, 2026, which will be the earliest calendar date for a Grey Cup game. The game is scheduled for the third Sunday of November for the fifth consecutive season. The game will be played at the outdoor McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

The competing teams and path to the game

The participants for the 113th Grey Cup will be determined through the 2026 CFL regular season and playoff structure. The league's nine teams will compete for playoff berths in the East and West Divisions throughout the summer and autumn. The playoff format culminates in the East and West Division Finals, with the winners of those games earning the right to play for the championship in Calgary. The Stampeders have a strong historical record in the championship game, having won multiple titles in different eras. The identity of the competing teams will not be known until the conclusion of the playoff matches in November 2026, adding to the anticipation for the event. The possibility of the Stampeders playing in the game creates a compelling storyline for local fans and the league, and their performance throughout the 2026 season will be closely watched.

Event significance and fan experience

The Grey Cup is more than a single football game. It is a week-long national festival that culminates in the championship contest. The 113th edition in Calgary will feature a full schedule of ancillary events, including the Grey Cup Festival with concerts, fan zones, and community activities throughout the host city. These events are designed to engage fans who travel from across Canada to attend the game and participate in the celebrations. The economic impact of the Grey Cup on Calgary is typically measured in tens of millions of dollars from visitor spending, hotel bookings, and local business revenue. The game itself is a central cultural moment in Canadian sports, drawing one of the largest annual television audiences in the country. The combination of sporting competition, national tradition, and civic celebration makes the Grey Cup a unique event on the Canadian calendar, and its return to Calgary in 2026 is expected to generate significant local and national interest.

Questions about 113th Grey Cup

When and where is the 113th Grey Cup?

The 113th Grey Cup is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 2026. The game will be played at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. This will be the sixth time Calgary has hosted the CFL championship game. The most recent Grey Cup in Calgary was held in 2019.

How can I watch the 113th Grey Cup on TV?

In Canada, the game will be broadcast nationally on the CTV network and on TSN channels. It will also be available for streaming on the Crave platform. French-language coverage will be provided by RDS. This multi-network approach ensures comprehensive coverage across the country.

Who is performing at the 113th Grey Cup?

Singer songwriter Sarah McLachlan will perform the national anthem and American country singer Riley Green will perform during the halftime show. The Snowbirds will also perform their final flyover before its retirement. These performances are part of the entertainment lineup for the championship game. The event will be televised nationally in Canada on CTV, TSN, Crave, and RDS. This provides a wide audience for these featured artists. The combination of musical and aerial performances is traditional for the Grey Cup.

Why is the 2026 Grey Cup date significant?

The November 15, 2026 date is significant because it will be the earliest a Grey Cup championship game has been played in a calendar year. This game will be played on the third Sunday of November for the fifth consecutive season. The date was confirmed in the host city announcement by the league. While the Collective Bargaining Agreement allowed for moving the season start, the league maintained this scheduling pattern. This consistency in scheduling helps maintain traditional timing for the championship event.

How was Calgary chosen as the host city?

Calgary was chosen as the host city through an official announcement on November 8, 2024. Prior to this, in September 2024, it was reported that the Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders were both bidding to host the Grey Cup game in 2026. The Edmonton Elks were specifically seeking to renovate Commonwealth Stadium as part of their bid. The decision resulted in Calgary hosting for the sixth time, with the most recent prior hosting being in 2019. This selection process involved competition between two Alberta based CFL franchises.

Which team is the host for the 113th Grey Cup?

The host for the 113th Grey Cup is the city of Calgary, with the game to be played at McMahon Stadium. The Calgary Stampeders, based at McMahon Stadium, were one of the teams bidding to host the game. The opposing team in the championship will be determined by the 2026 CFL season playoffs. This game will decide the Canadian Football League championship for the 2026 season. It represents the sixth time Calgary has hosted the Grey Cup final.

Sources and further reading

• 113th Grey Cup (Wikipedia)
• 113th Grey Cup (visitcalgary.com)
• Tickets Now On Sale For 2026 Grey Cup Festival (stampeders.com)
• 2026 Grey Cup Festival and 113th ... (calgary.ca)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-18.