Alouettes vs Elks in the 113th Grey Cup is a clash of styles. Montreal (14-4) has the CFL’s best passing attack and the league MOP at quarterback. Edmonton (13-5) has the stingiest defence and the most takeaways in the league. They split two meetings this season, and tonight at McMahon Stadium in Calgary only one of them gets to lift the trophy.
Kickoff is 6:00 PM ET (4:00 PM MT). Forget the noise. These are the five things that will decide who wins the Grey Cup.
Alouettes vs Elks: The 5 Keys at a Glance
| Key | Edge |
|---|---|
| 1. Elks takeaways vs Als ball security | Even |
| 2. Philpot and Snead vs the Elks secondary | Montreal |
| 3. Edmonton’s pass rush vs Montreal’s line | Montreal |
| 4. Edmonton’s run game and clock control | Edmonton |
| 5. Red zone finishing and the kicking game | Even |
1. Can the CFL’s Best Ball Hawks Rattle Davis Alexander?
This is the matchup that decides the game. Edmonton led the CFL with 42 takeaways and 27 interceptions and finished with a league best +23 turnover margin. Montreal turned the ball over only 23 times all year, the fewest in the league, and Alexander threw just 4 interceptions in 527 attempts.
- Watch: Tyrell Ford (7 interceptions, tied for the league lead) and JJ Ross (5 picks, one returned for a touchdown).
- Why it matters: Edmonton does not need to outscore Montreal in a shootout. One or two short fields can swing the game.
- Our read: If Edmonton wins the turnover battle by two, the Elks win the Grey Cup. If it is even, Montreal’s offence usually pulls away.
2. Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead vs the Elks Secondary
No receiver duo in the CFL comes close. Philpot set a Canadian single season record with 1,809 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, and Snead added 1,474 yards and 13 more. Together they caught 219 passes for 3,283 yards.
Philpot has already hurt Edmonton twice, with 120 yards in June and 10 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns in August. He is also a former University of Calgary Dinos receiver, so tonight is a homecoming at the stadium where he played university football.
Edge: Montreal. Edmonton allowed fewer points than anyone, but it has not found an answer for Philpot yet.
3. Edmonton’s Pass Rush vs Montreal’s Offensive Line
Montreal allowed only 19 sacks this season, the fewest in the CFL, and Alexander went down just 15 times. That protection is why he could throw for 5,257 yards with a 122.7 passer rating, the third best in league history.
Edmonton brings real heat. Malik Carney had 11 sacks and four forced fumbles, and Noah Taylor added 10. If they can hurry Alexander on early downs, the turnover chances in Key 1 go up fast.
Edge: Montreal, but this is the matchup most likely to flip the game.
4. Can the Elks Run the Ball and Keep Alexander on the Sideline?
Edmonton had the CFL’s top rushing attack at 127.6 yards per game. Justin Rankin ran for 1,170 yards at 5.7 yards a carry with nine touchdowns and a league best 11 runs of 20 yards or more. Cody Fajardo added 517 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns, the most yards by any quarterback.
- The plan: Long drives, third and short conversions and field goals at worst. Every minute Edmonton holds the ball is a minute Alexander does not.
- The Montreal side: The Als allowed 90.9 rushing yards per game. Their linebackers, led by Geoffrey Cantin-Arku (89 tackles) and Tyrice Beverette (6 sacks), have to win on first down.
- The revenge angle: Fajardo won the 2023 Grey Cup and MVP with Montreal before the trade, and Als head coach Jason Maas once coached Edmonton. Both know the other side well.
Edge: Edmonton.
5. Red Zone Finishing and the Kicking Game
| Stat | Alouettes | Elks |
|---|---|---|
| Goal to go touchdown rate | 85.0% (34 of 40) | 74.4% (32 of 43) |
| Kicker | Jose Maltos Dias | Vincent Blanchard |
| Field goals | 40 of 43 (93.0%) | 55 of 59 (93.2%) |
| Longest field goal | 50 yards | 57 yards |
Montreal turns red zone trips into touchdowns better than anyone. Edmonton settles for field goals more often, but Blanchard led the CFL in made kicks and can score from midfield range. In a close game, Montreal needs touchdowns and Edmonton can live on threes.
Edge: Even. Montreal finishes better, Edmonton kicks better.
X Factors to Watch Tonight
- Montreal: Charleston Rambo, who had 117 receiving yards in the East Final while defences focused on Philpot and Snead.
- Edmonton: Austin Mack, with 1,254 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, and a 2023 Grey Cup ring with Montreal.
- Conditions: A dry, mild day in Calgary with a high near 12°C. Good weather favours the passing game.
Want the story behind Edmonton’s season? Read how the Elks went from 19-1 long shots to the Grey Cup. Want the odds and our score pick? Read our Grey Cup 2026 prediction. Find channels on how to watch Grey Cup 2026, catch the Snowbirds final flight before kickoff, and follow the live score on our 113th Grey Cup page.
Alouettes vs Elks FAQ
When is Alouettes vs Elks in the Grey Cup?
Sunday, November 15, 2026, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary. Kickoff is 6:00 PM ET (4:00 PM MT).
Who won the Alouettes vs Elks games this season?
They split. Edmonton won 32-29 in overtime on June 20, and Montreal won 48-30 on August 8.
What is the biggest key to the 113th Grey Cup?
Turnovers. Edmonton led the CFL with 42 takeaways, while Montreal turned it over only 23 times, the fewest in the league.
Who are the best players in Alouettes vs Elks?
Montreal has MOP Davis Alexander and receivers Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead. Edmonton has Cody Fajardo, Justin Rankin, Austin Mack and Tyrell Ford.
Which team has the better defence?
Edmonton. The Elks allowed a league low 24.3 points per game and had the most interceptions and takeaways in the CFL.
Which team has the better offence?
Montreal. The Als led the CFL in total offence and touchdowns, averaging 34.7 points per game.
How many times have the Alouettes and Elks met in the Grey Cup?
This is their 12th Grey Cup meeting, the most of any matchup. Edmonton won eight of the first 11.
Where can I watch Alouettes vs Elks?
In Canada on TSN, CTV, Crave and RDS. In the USA and the rest of the world, free on CFL+.
The Bottom Line
Alouettes vs Elks comes down to whether Edmonton’s defence can take the ball away from a Montreal offence that almost never gives it up. If the Elks win the turnover battle and control the clock with Rankin and Fajardo, the long shot run ends with a 15th Grey Cup. If Alexander stays clean and keeps finding Philpot and Snead, Montreal lifts its ninth.
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