Ottawa Redblacks

Franchise history and return to Ottawa

The Ottawa Redblacks were born from a prolonged effort to restore Canadian Football League football to the nation's capital after two previous franchises ceased operations. The original Ottawa Rough Riders, a founding CFL member, folded in 1996 after 120 years, and their successor, the Ottawa Renegades, lasted only from 2002 to 2005. In March 2008, a new ownership group led by Jeff Hunt was awarded a conditional franchise with the intent to begin play in 2010. This timeline was repeatedly delayed due to significant structural issues with Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne Park, which required the demolition and reconstruction of its south stands. Legal challenges and municipal debates over the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park further postponed the team's debut. After a series of city council votes, the final approval for the stadium project was secured in October 2012, clearing the way for construction on what would become TD Place Stadium. The franchise paid a reported seven million dollar fee to the CFL and had a condition to host a Grey Cup game included in its ownership agreement, though the planned 2014 hosting was postponed.

Football operations began in earnest in 2013 with the hiring of the franchise's first general manager, Marcel Desjardins, and its first head coach, Rick Campbell. The team built its initial roster through a special 2013 CFL draft of NCAA junior redshirts and a December 2013 expansion draft where they selected 24 players from the eight existing CFL clubs. This process set the foundation for the team's inaugural season in 2014. The CFL considers the Redblacks, along with the Rough Riders and Renegades, as a single football entity dating back to 1876, with two periods of non participation from 1997 to 2001 and 2006 to 2013.

On-field performance and Grey Cup victory

The Redblacks played their first regular season game on July 3, 2014, losing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, but earned their first victory two weeks later at their home opener against the Toronto Argonauts. As is common for expansion teams, they struggled throughout their debut season, finishing with a league worst 2 16 record. A dramatic turnaround occurred in their second season in 2015, as key offensive additions helped the team finish with a 12 6 record and first place in the East Division. They advanced to the Grey Cup that year but lost a close game to the Edmonton Eskimos. The 2016 season saw the Redblacks post a modest 8 9 1 record yet still win the East Division due to a weak conference.

There, they upset the heavily favoured Calgary Stampeders 39 33 in overtime to win the franchise's first championship. This victory marked the first Grey Cup for an Ottawa based team in 40 years, ending a long drought for the city. The team remained competitive in the following years, winning another East Division title in 2018 and appearing in the Grey Cup again, where they lost to the Calgary Stampeders. This period from 2015 to 2018 established the Redblacks as consistent contenders, winning three division titles in four years.

Recent struggles and leadership changes

The team's fortunes declined sharply in 2019 following the departure of several key offensive players in free agency and instability at the quarterback position. The Redblacks started the season 2 0 but then lost 15 of their next 16 games to finish with a 3 15 record, the worst in the CFL. After the season, head coach Rick Campbell and the organization mutually agreed to part ways. The team hired Paul LaPolice, former head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, as his replacement in December 2019. The struggles continued in the subsequent seasons, and after the team was eliminated from playoff contention in 2021 with a 2 9 record, general manager Marcel Desjardins was fired on October 25, 2021. As of 2026, the team's leadership consists of head coach Paul LaPolice, while the general manager position remains vacant following Desjardins' departure.

The 2026 season, as indicated by recent records, presented significant challenges for the franchise. The team was reported to have a record of 0 wins and 16 losses during that campaign, placing them fourth in the East Division. Despite this difficult period, the organization has continued its operations, with preseason games and a full schedule planned for 2026, indicating an ongoing effort to rebuild and return to competitiveness in the CFL. The team's 2026 schedule included a week 12 road game against the Montreal Alouettes, and the club promoted group ticket packages and new uniform reveals to engage its fan base during this rebuilding phase.

Identity, name and branding

The team's identity was the subject of considerable public discussion during its formation. Initially, the ownership group, led by Jeff Hunt, sought to revive the historic Rough Riders name and successfully acquired the associated intellectual property from previous owner Horn Chen. However, due to objections from the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL, who shared a similar name, the Ottawa group decided against using it. In December 2012, the CFL opened a public voting process for the new team name on a dedicated website. After a period of speculation and focus group testing that included names like Rush, Nationals, and Voyageurs, the team confirmed on June 8, 2013, that it would be known as the Ottawa Redblacks, stylized as REDBLACKS.

On the same day, the team unveiled its logo and colours. The logo features an italicized block 'R' with artistic ink traps, inspired by the 'R' used by the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1975 to 1991, set within a red outline and a black saw blade shape. The team's colour scheme is red, black, and white. The home uniforms are predominantly black with white numbers and red trim, while the road uniforms are white with red numbers. In 2026, the team revealed a new white uniform design, described as a bold expression of the club's identity that celebrates the city's football history, as part of ongoing efforts to refresh the team's brand and connect with fans.

Stadium, mascot and game day experience

The Ottawa Redblacks play their home games at TD Place Stadium, located within the redeveloped Lansdowne Park in Ottawa. The stadium, originally known as Frank Clair Stadium, underwent extensive renovations to become a modern venue, with construction completed in time for the 2014 season. The stadium's north and south stands were rebuilt as part of a larger urban redevelopment project that included commercial and residential spaces. The team's mascot is a lumberjack named Big Joe, originally revealed as Big Joe Mufferaw in March 2014 in reference to a local folk legend. After some public criticism, the name was shortened to Big Joe, or Grand Jos in French, and the character serves as a central figure in game day festivities and community events.

The game day atmosphere is enhanced by the Ottawa Redblacks Cheer and Dance Team, which debuted at the first home game in 2014. The team is coed, consisting of separate squads for cheerleaders and dancers, and performs during games, at halftimes, and at community events throughout the Ottawa region. The program also includes a junior program for children aged six to sixteen. The organization offers various ticket packages, including group deals and premium experiences, to engage fans and build community support for the team. These game day elements are part of a broader strategy to create an energetic and engaging fan experience at TD Place Stadium, which the team refers to as The Stadium at TD Place in its 2026 communications.

Rivalries and community honours

The Redblacks have developed several rivalries within the CFL. Their primary traditional rivalry, based on geography, is with the Montreal Alouettes, a matchup often featured in the Labour Day Classic. They also have divisional rivalries with the Hamilton Tiger Cats and the Toronto Argonauts as fellow East Division members. Despite being in different divisions, the Calgary Stampeders have emerged as a significant rival due to their memorable meetings in the 2016 and 2018 Grey Cup games. The team honours the history of football in Ottawa through its Wall of Honour at TD Place Stadium. At their first home game in 2014, the Redblacks announced they would retire all ten jersey numbers previously retired by the Ottawa Rough Riders, and these numbers are displayed on the wall.

The club has stated it will not retire additional numbers in the future due to jersey number availability constraints for players. The Wall of Honour has since been expanded to include other notable figures, such as quarterback Henry Burris, who was added in 2017, and legendary lineman Kaye Vaughan, added in 2019. A committee from the CFL Ottawa Alumni Association continues to select former Ottawa players for future inclusion, connecting the new franchise's legacy to the city's rich football past. This honour system, along with the team's active community engagement, helps solidify the Redblacks' place within the long tradition of professional football in the nation's capital.

Questions about Ottawa Redblacks

When did the Ottawa Redblacks start playing?

The Ottawa Redblacks began play in the 2014 Canadian Football League season. Their first regular season game was on July 3, 2014, on the road against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, which they lost 36 28. They earned their first franchise victory at their home opener on July 18, 2014, defeating the Toronto Argonauts 18 17. The team was officially awarded a conditional franchise in 2008, but stadium construction delays and legal hurdles pushed their debut back several years from the original target of 2010.

Why are they called the Redblacks and not the Rough Riders?

The ownership group initially wanted to revive the historic Rough Riders name and even acquired the trademarks from the previous owner. However, they chose not to use it primarily due to objections from the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the other CFL team with a very similar name. After a public voting process and focus group testing, the name Redblacks was selected from a shortlist that included Rush and Voyageurs. The name is a reference to the team's primary colours of red, black, and white, and its French equivalent is Rouge et Noir.

Who is the head coach of the Ottawa Redblacks?

As of 2026, the head coach of the Ottawa Redblacks is Paul LaPolice. He was hired on December 7, 2019, becoming the second head coach in franchise history after the team and its first coach, Rick Campbell, mutually agreed to part ways following the 2019 season. LaPolice previously served as the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2010 to 2012. His hiring came during a period of rebuilding for the team following several difficult seasons.

Where do the Redblacks play their home games?

The Ottawa Redblacks play their home games at TD Place Stadium, located at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa. The stadium was originally known as Frank Clair Stadium but was completely renovated as part of the Lansdowne Park redevelopment project. The south stands were demolished due to structural issues, and the entire facility was rebuilt, with construction completed in time for the 2014 CFL season. The stadium is a central component of a larger mixed use urban development that includes shops, restaurants, and residential buildings.

What was the Redblacks' record in the 2026 CFL season?

According to recent records, the Ottawa Redblacks finished the 2026 CFL season with a record of 0 wins and 16 losses. This result placed them fourth in the East Division. The 2026 season represented a significant competitive challenge for the franchise, continuing a period of struggle that began after their last Grey Cup appearance in 2018. Despite this record, the team continued its operations with a full schedule and preseason games, as the organization works to rebuild its roster and return to playoff contention in future seasons.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.