The Edmonton Elks are one victory away from ending an 11-year championship drought, with their sights set squarely on Sunday's Grey Cup final against the Montreal Alouettes in Calgary.
After missing the playoffs every year since 2015, the Elks have engineered a stunning turnaround this season. Edmonton's starting quarterback Cody Fajardo made their championship ambitions clear from Day 1 of training camp — and now those words could become reality.
"We want to win a Grey Cup — and this roster is good enough to win a Grey Cup," Fajardo, 34, told reporters at the start of the 2026 season. The two-time CFL champion emphasized the organization's singular focus: capturing the title, not simply making an appearance.
The Elks have delivered on that promise with Canada's best defence and top rushing offence during the regular season. Their first winning campaign since 2017 has transformed the franchise from perennial basement-dweller to legitimate championship contender.
Montreal Seeks Redemption After Heartbreaking Loss
Standing between Edmonton and glory is a hungry Montreal Alouettes squad determined to complete unfinished business. The Alouettes lost last year's Grey Cup final to Saskatchewan on a heartbreaking last-second play that was deflected away in the end zone.
"This time, it's important to bring the Cup home," Alouettes linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku told reporters. "The mindset is definitely a bit different, but I'm excited; I'm a little more focused than I was last year."
Montreal enters Sunday's matchup as the CFL's top regular-season team in the East Division, powered by a suffocating defence and explosive passing attack. The Alouettes are hunting their second championship in four seasons, and the sting of last year's loss has only sharpened their hunger.
Quarterback Davis Alexander expressed calm confidence heading into the contest: "We're here. We're ready for this opportunity."
Calgary Hosts Championship Clash
The 113th Grey Cup final will kick off Sunday night at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, pitting two of the CFL's most compelling storylines against each other. Edmonton's remarkable resurrection as a powerhouse will face Montreal's quest for redemption and back-to-back titles.
For Elks fans who endured nearly a decade of disappointment, Sunday represents the culmination of a season that defied expectations and reignited hope in the team.
This article is based on reporting from CBC Calgary.