CALGARY — The CFL’s championship game is coming back to Calgary in 2026 — an announcement that has raised renewed questions over what is to be done with the city’s aging McMahon Stadium.
"The 2026 Grey Cup has been awarded to the Calgary Stampeders, to the City of Calgary and to the province of Alberta," CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie told a news conference Friday.
"We’re looking forward to one of the great Grey Cup parties of all time."
The 113th Grey Cup is set for Nov. 15, 2026 at the Stampeders’ McMahon Stadium home.
It would be the sixth time the city has hosted, with the last in 2019.
This year’s cup goes Nov. 17 in Vancouver. The Montreal Alouettes play the Toronto Argonauts this weekend and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Saskatchewan Roughriders to determine the finalists.
Next year’s championship game is set for Winnipeg.
McMahon Stadium is 64 years old and Ambrosie has previously referred to the facility as "terrible" and has said it needs to replaced.
Ambrosie said work is underway.
"There's infield turf being laid. That's where the game is played. The league is satisfied that the Stampeders and the city will work together to do make the most of this facility," Ambrosie said.
"I'm not going to back away from the fact that the city needs a new stadium or the CFL needs a new stadium. It's an old, old stadium … and it doesn't have much of the modern features that newer stadiums have."
McMahon, which is owned by the University of Calgary and operated by the McMahon Stadium Society, was built in 1960.
It has been expanded and renovated several times over the years and has a seating capacity of 35,400.
Ambrosie said he has a soft spot for McMahon after playing first for the Stampeders, followed by Toronto and Edmonton.
"Frankly, I love it. I won a Grey Cup here. This stadium will always have a special place in my heart. They are going to do everything they can to make it as shiny and hospitable as they can."
Stampeders president Jay McNeil said he remains hopeful a new stadium will eventually be built now that a deal for a new NHL arena for the Calgary Flames was settled.
"McMahon Stadium presents some challenges. McMahon Stadium's different today than it was in 2018," McNeil told reporters.
"We've made investments. The CFL is very comfortable we're going to deliver what they want."
McNeil said there are plans to create more space in the concourse area and washrooms but declined to say what other changes might be coming before 2026.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said having the Grey Cup will boost the local economy.
"It's actually a game changer for Calgary in many ways," she said.
"This is putting us on the map yet again as a city that has an amazing visitor economy and a city that can welcome anybody and make them feel at home."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press
