Grey Cup 2026: Festival Schedule and Tickets
The 113th Grey Cup lands in Calgary on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Five days of concerts, team parties, a rodeo, and a street festival run alongside it at Stampede Park and other venues around the city. This guide covers which days to book off, where to sit, how to get between venues, and what a November afternoon outdoors does to you.
What Is the 2026 Grey Cup Festival Schedule?
The Cenovus Energy 2026 Grey Cup Festival is scheduled at Stampede Park from November 11 to 14, followed by the 113th Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium on Sunday, November 15. Grey Cup 2026 kickoff is currently scheduled for 5:00 p.m. MT. For anyone asking when is the Grey Cup or where is the gray cup this year, the confirmed host city is Calgary; event details remain subject to official updates.
Grey Cup Festival Kick-Off and Opening Events on November 11
Wednesday welcomes the storied silver trophy to Cowtown with local marching bands, community elders, and league dignitaries. Families can explore interactive football exhibits across Stampede Park, test their arm at skills challenges, and line up for photos with the Grey Cup before the evening welcome ceremonies light up the grounds.
Street Festival and Thursday Night Concert on November 12
By Thursday the week is in full swing. The outdoor Street Festival opens along the promenade with pancake breakfasts, a licensed beer garden and live music. Regional indie acts rotate through the outdoor stages all afternoon. The music then carries on into Thursday evening’s concert, where a Canadian rock or country headliner turns the Big Four Roadhouse into a dance hall.
CFL Legends Luncheon and Team Parties on November 13
Friday shines a spotlight on Canadian football history at the annual CFL Legends Luncheon, where Hall of Fame icons share behind-the-scenes stories from decades past. By late afternoon the team parties open across the BMO Centre, with Riderville, the Spirit of Edmonton and the Down East Kitchen Party each hosting their own room. Expect live fiddle music and fight songs, with fans from opposite ends of the country comparing notes.
Rodeo, Cheer Extravaganza and Closing Concert on November 14
Calgary’s cowboy heritage takes centre stage on Saturday, with an invitational indoor rodeo that brings elite bull riding, saddle bronc and bareback events under one roof. Alongside the western action, cheer and dance squads from every CFL club perform synchronized acrobatic routines at the Cheer Extravaganza. The night finishes with the festival’s closing concert, featuring top touring headliners.
Game Day Tailgate and the 113th Grey Cup on November 15
The 113th Grey Cup is scheduled for Sunday, November 15 at McMahon Stadium, with kickoff at 5:00 p.m. MT. The CFL has announced Riley Green for the halftime show, Sarah McLachlan for the national anthem, Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor for a pre-game performance, and James Barker Band for the kickoff show. Tailgate timing, entry procedures and programming may change, so confirm the official event page before travelling.
How Can You Buy Grey Cup 2026 Tickets?
Start with the CFL’s own channels and follow their link to the authorized seller since that’s the surest way to know your seats are real. Read the current terms before you pay. Sale dates, purchase limits, seating tiers and package availability can change.
Visit the Official Grey Cup Ticketing Website
The official festival portal is greycupfestival.ca, and the CFL currently directs game-ticket buyers to Ticketmaster. The Calgary Stampeders ticket office provides accessible-ticketing assistance. Use the official links, review current terms and verify the seller before paying.
Check Ticket Availability and Purchase Limits
Organizers typically cap the number of tickets per transaction to keep a reseller from clearing out a section. Season-ticket holders for the host Calgary Stampeders and the CFL’s other member clubs get their own pre-sale window. The remaining seats go on sale to the general public after that.
Choose Your Preferred Ticket Type and Seating
McMahon Stadium sells tickets to the game in several pricing tiers.
Ticket Category | Typical Location | Atmosphere & Benefits |
|---|---|---|
Club & Premium Suites | Midfield indoor/covered boxes | Heated lounges, private hospitality, premium catering, and clear views from midfield |
Sideline Reserved | Lower & Upper bowls (between 20-yard lines) | Clear, unobstructed view of the play and the sidelines |
End Zone Seats | North & South end zone bleachers | Raucous, high-energy seats right near the touchdown celebrations |
Festival + Game Bundles | Select bowl seating + concert entry passes | Convenient single checkout covering both major concerts and game admission |
How Can You Plan Your Trip to the 2026 Grey Cup in Calgary?
Grey Cup week pulls visitors in from across the country. The two things worth settling before you arrive are where you’re sleeping and how you’re getting between Stampede Park and McMahon Stadium. Keep an eye on the official Grey Cup Festival website for schedule and ticket updates.
If the trip includes an unserviced campsite or RV stop, a power station can provide off-grid charging within its rated capacity and operating limits.
Book Accommodation Near Grey Cup Festival Venues
A room in downtown Calgary, the Beltline or next to Stampede Park keeps the festival events and the evening team parties within walking distance. Downtown hotels book up quickly. If they’re full, look along the CTrain Red Line, where staying near the University of Calgary or Brentwood puts you on a direct train to Banff Trail Station, right by McMahon Stadium.
Visitors combining the event with camping in Kananaskis should confirm seasonal campground operations, road access and services before booking.
Prepare for Calgary's November Weather
Calgary’s mid-November conditions can change quickly, with cold, wind or snow possible during an outdoor game. Check the current Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast before departure and pack adaptable layers: a thermal base, wind- and water-resistant outerwear, insulated footwear, gloves and a warm toque. Follow any weather or travel alerts issued closer to game day.
A portable power station can support compatible phones, cameras and small travel devices when capacity and output are matched to the planned loads.
If a snowfall warning is issued for Calgary, review the current alert, road conditions and transit notices before leaving for an outdoor event.
Plan Transportation and Parking Between Event Venues
Game-day traffic, parking restrictions and transit service may differ from regular operations. The Red Line serves both the Stampede Park area and Banff Trail Station near McMahon Stadium, but riders should confirm Calgary Transit service changes and the official stadium transportation plan before travelling:
To Stampede Park (Festival & Team Rooms): Take the Red Line to Victoria Park/Stampede or Erlton/Stampede station.
To McMahon Stadium (Game Day): Take the Red Line straight to Banff Trail Station, steps from the stadium gates across Crowchild Trail.
Calgary Transit puts on extra shuttle buses and more frequent trains to keep game-day crowds moving.
Prepare Portable Power for Your Trip to Calgary
Driving to Calgary and staying at an unserviced site requires a charging plan for phones, cameras and lights. Compare each device’s wattage and expected runtime before departure. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic Portable Power Station provides 1,024Wh of capacity for compatible mobile electronics and selected compact travel devices, subject to the unit’s output and operating limits.
An RV trip may involve higher daily loads from compatible fridges, coffee makers and other travel devices. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus (2048Wh) + 800W Alternator Charger combines a 2,048Wh base capacity with supported vehicle charging while driving. Actual runtime and charging performance vary with appliance wattage, vehicle compatibility, usage and environmental conditions, so calculate expected demand before departure.
What Should You Know Before Attending the Grey Cup 2026?
Event rules vary from one venue to the next and from one activity to another. Check the official guidance for the events you plan to attend, particularly if you are bringing children or need accessibility support.
Check Age Restrictions for Festival Events
Family activities, the TELUS Family Zone, the Suncor Street Festival, and McMahon Stadium bowl seating welcome visitors of all ages. The licensed evening venues are a different matter — Riderville and the official festival cabarets operate under AGLC liquor laws, which restrict entry to guests aged 18 and older. So bring valid government-issued photo ID.
Review Stadium Security and Bag Policies
Bag sizes, permitted items and screening procedures can change for a major event. Review the current McMahon Stadium and Grey Cup game-day policies before packing; the draft’s examples below require publication-day verification:
Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and measure no larger than 12" x 6" x 12".
Small clutch bags roughly the size of an adult hand (up to 4.5" x 6.5") do not have to be clear.
Prohibited items include outside alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, professional cameras with detachable telephoto lenses, mechanical noisemakers, and weapons of any type.
Check Accessibility Services at Event Venues
Accessibility services, companion seating and transportation assistance differ by venue and event. Contact the Calgary Stampeders ticket office for accessible game tickets and review the current Stampede Park and Grey Cup accessibility information before arrival.
Conclusion
Most of what people remember about Grey Cup week happens outside the game: the tailgate in the east lot, the party rooms where fans from every province argue about football, the street festival in between. That’s the part you can plan for — tickets from the verified seller, layers you can shed if a Chinook rolls in, transit and power sorted before you need either. None of it is hard, but it’s all easier to sort out now than on the morning of the 15th. Book the days off and pack the toque. The rest of the week takes care of itself.
FAQs
How Much Do You Get If You Win the Grey Cup?
Under the CFL collective bargaining agreement, players on the winning team receive approximately $16,000 to $20,000 each in playoff bonus money, while members of the runner-up team take home roughly half that amount.
How Many Quarters Are in a Grey Cup Game?
A Grey Cup game has four 15-minute quarters — 60 minutes of regulation playing time under CFL rules, with the halftime show in the middle and the Grey Cup presented once the clock runs out.
Which Teams Are in the Grey Cup?
The two finalists are the winners of the CFL East Final and West Final, so most years the matchup is East against West. The CFL’s Crossover Rule is the exception, letting a fourth-place club qualify for the other division’s playoffs and potentially reach the Grey Cup.
Why Do They Call It the Grey Cup?
It is named after Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey, who was Governor General of Canada when he donated the silver trophy in 1909 for the senior amateur football championship of Canada.