Calgary is about to host the biggest party in Canadian football. The 113th Grey Cup. The CFL’s championship game. Comes to McMahon Stadium on November 15, 2026, with a full festival taking over Stampede Park in the days before it. If you’re planning to be in the city for it (or wondering whether to build a trip around it), here’s what’s confirmed so far and how to plan around it.
Quick Answer / Travel Snapshot
| What it is | The 113th Grey Cup – the CFL’s championship game — plus the Cenovus Energy Grey Cup Festival |
| Game date & venue | Sunday, November 15, 2026, at McMahon Stadium (1817 Crowchild Trail NW) |
| Festival dates & venue | November 11–14, 2026, at Stampede Park – free family programming and live entertainment leading up to game day |
| Tickets | Game tickets via Ticketmaster; festival details via the official Grey Cup Festival site. Confirm current availability before booking travel |
| Calgary’s hosting history | This is the sixth time Calgary has hosted the Grey Cup |
| Where to base yourself | Downtown or 17th Avenue SW, both within easy reach of Stampede Park and McMahon Stadium |
What Is the Grey Cup, and Why Does It Matter in Calgary?
The Grey Cup is the championship game of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Canada’s equivalent of the Super Bowl, and one of the country’s oldest continuously awarded sports trophies. It moves to a different host city most years, and 2026 marks the sixth time Calgary has been chosen, following a long tradition of the city throwing itself into Grey Cup week with tailgates, concerts, and a genuinely city-wide atmosphere rather than just a single stadium event.
Festival Schedule: What Happens and Where
The Cenovus Energy Grey Cup Festival runs November 11–14, 2026 at Stampede Park, with free family-friendly programming and live entertainment building up to the championship game. The game itself the 113th Grey Cup is played at McMahon Stadium on November 15. Beyond the official festival grounds, expect the kind of citywide tailgate energy Calgary is known for during Grey Cup week, with 17th Avenue SW being one of the go-to strips for pre- and post-game entertainment and dining.
Exact hour-by-hour programming for the festival hadn’t been fully published at the time of writing for the full entertainment lineup, check the official Grey Cup Festival site closer to the date.
Grey Cup week isn’t really about one stadium. It’s the one week a year Calgary turns the whole downtown into a party.
Getting Tickets
Game tickets are sold through Ticketmaster. Festival programming at Stampede Park is largely free, family-friendly entertainment, separate from the ticketed championship game. Given this is a single-day national sporting event in a city that also has strong November hotel demand from other events, it’s worth locking in tickets and travel plans well ahead rather than waiting until game week.
Where to Stay
Downtown Calgary and the Beltline/17th Avenue SW area put you within easy reach of both Stampede Park (festival) and McMahon Stadium (game day, a short CTrain or drive northwest of downtown). Hotel rates and availability tighten up considerably during Grey Cup week, similar to what happens during Stampede in July — book as early as you can once your dates are firm.
Getting Around During Grey Cup Week
Calgary’s downtown core is compact and walkable, and the CTrain (Calgary’s light rail) is a straightforward way to get between downtown, the Beltline, and McMahon Stadium without worrying about game-day parking or road closures. If you’re not familiar with the city, plan on public transit or rideshare for the game itself rather than driving and parking near the stadium.
Practical Travel Tips
- November in Calgary is genuinely cold – pack for winter (layers, a proper coat, warm footwear), especially if you’ll be outdoors for festival events or tailgating.
- Book flights and hotels as soon as your dates are confirmed; a single-day national sporting event puts a real squeeze on both.
- Check the official Grey Cup Festival site closer to November for the confirmed day-by-day festival schedule, since detailed programming is typically released closer to the event.
- If you’re combining this trip with other Calgary sightseeing, see our guide to the best things to do in Calgary for what to fill the rest of your visit with.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting too long to book accommodation. Grey Cup week fills up hotels citywide, not just near the stadium.
- Underestimating November weather. This isn’t Stampede-in-July Calgary — expect genuinely cold temperatures and dress accordingly.
- Assuming the festival and the game are the same ticket. The Stampede Park festival programming and the McMahon Stadium championship game are separate, with different access.
Our Verdict
If you’re a CFL fan, or just want to experience Calgary at its most festive outside of Stampede season, Grey Cup week is worth building a trip around — this is only the sixth time the city has hosted it. Book your accommodation and game tickets early, dress for real winter weather, and use the free festival programming at Stampede Park to fill the days before the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Grey Cup in Calgary?
The championship game is Sunday, November 15, 2026, at McMahon Stadium. The Cenovus Energy Grey Cup Festival runs November 11–14 at Stampede Park.
Where can I buy tickets?
Game tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Check the official Grey Cup Festival website for festival programming and any additional ticketed events.
Is this the first time Calgary has hosted the Grey Cup?
No. This is the sixth time Calgary has hosted the Grey Cup.
What should I pack?
Winter gear. Mid-November in Calgary is cold, and much of the festival atmosphere happens outdoors, so plan for layers, a warm coat, and proper footwear.
Final Thoughts
Whether or not football is the main draw, Grey Cup week gives you a rare look at Calgary in full celebration mode during a season the city doesn’t usually get travel-blog attention for. Book early, dress warm, and pair it with a few days of regular Calgary sightseeing to make the most of the trip.
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