The 2026 CFL playoffs are here, with the road to the Grey Cup entering its most important stage.
The division finals will determine which two teams advance to the championship game, making every possession, turnover and special-teams play critical.
Division Finals – Saturday, November 7
Eastern Final: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Montreal Alouettes
3:00 PM
Percival Molson Memorial Stadium
Western Final: BC Lions at Edmonton Elks
6:30 PM
Commonwealth Stadium ·
Eastern Final: Winnipeg vs. Montreal
The matchup: Montreal finished the regular season 14–4 and earned home-field advantage.
Winnipeg arrives with momentum after a dramatic 25–22 victory over Toronto in the semifinal.
Key players
Montreal: Davis Alexander, Tyler Snead and Tyson Philpot.
Alexander has been one of the CFL’s most productive quarterbacks, and Montreal’s receiving attack presents a major challenge.
Winnipeg: Dru Brown, Brady Oliveira and Nic Demski.
Oliveira’s ability to control the ground game and Demski’s big-play ability will be important.
Three keys to victory
Winnipeg must protect its quarterback and establish Oliveira early.
Montreal needs to take advantage of its explosive passing game.
Turnovers could decide the contest, particularly if Winnipeg’s defence can pressure Alexander.
Major storyline: Zach Collaros’ availability remains a major question after his rib injury.
Brown delivered the winning touchdown against Toronto, but Montreal is a much tougher opponent.
Prediction: Montreal Alouettes 31, Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23.
Montreal’s home-field advantage and offensive balance make the Alouettes my pick to reach the Grey Cup.
Western Final: BC Lions vs. Edmonton Elks
The matchup: Edmonton finished first in the West at 13–5, while BC enters after an impressive comeback against Saskatchewan.
The Lions defeated the Roughriders 33–26 in the semifinal after trailing 17–3.
Nathan Rourke threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns, while Jevon Cottoy caught two touchdown passes
Key players
BC Lions: Nathan Rourke, Jevon Cottoy and Keon Hatcher Sr.
Edmonton Elks: Cody Fajardo, Justin Rankin and Austin Mack.
Three keys to victory
Edmonton must pressure Rourke and force mistakes.
BC needs to contain Rankin and limit Edmonton’s running attack.
The Elks must capitalize on turnovers and take advantage of playing at home.
Edmonton’s defence is a major factor.
The Elks forced 53 turnovers during the regular season and finished with a league-best plus-23 turnover differential.
BC’s offence will need to be disciplined.
Prediction: BC Lions 31,
Edmonton Elks 34.
Rourke’s recent form and the Lions’ offensive firepower give BC a slight edge, although Edmonton’s defence and home-field advantage make this a close contest.
Final Verdict
The Montreal Alouettes look like the strongest team remaining, but BC has the quarterback and offensive weapons to make a championship run. Winnipeg and Edmonton both have the ability to win
Next Up
113th Grey Cup
Sunday, November 15, 2026
McMahon Stadium · Calgary, Alberta
6:00 PM
TSN, CTV, RDS, Crave and CFL+
