Edmonton and Montreal Meet for the Grey Cup for a 12th Time

Calgary hosted its first Grey Cup in 1975. Edmonton and Montreal played it without scoring a touchdown. With 45 seconds left at McMahon Stadium, Montreal lined up for a 19-yard field goal that would have put the Alouettes ahead. Don Sweet’s kick went wide after a bobbled snap. Montreal got a single point, and Edmonton won 9–8.

More than half a century later, the clubs are back at McMahon for the 113th Grey Cup on Nov. 15. It is their 12th meeting for the trophy and the first since 2005. Edmonton won eight of the first 11. Montreal broke Edmonton’s early sweep in 1974 and ended a 25-year title drought with another win over Edmonton in 2002.

Three Straight for Frank Ivy’s Edmonton

The first meeting also turned on a single point. At Toronto’s Varsity Stadium in 1954, Montreal led 25–14 midway through the fourth quarter. Edmonton cut the deficit to five with a converted touchdown. A touchdown was worth five points then. When Montreal’s Chuck Hunsinger tried a lateral that went loose, Jackie Parker picked it up and ran 90 yards to tie the game. Bob Dean’s convert gave Edmonton a 26–25 victory, according to the CFL’s archive.

Frank Ivy coached Edmonton to wins over Montreal in each of the next two title games. The 1955 rematch was at Vancouver’s Empire Stadium, the first Grey Cup played in Western Canada. Edmonton won 34–19 there, then returned to Toronto in 1956 and won 50–27.

Five Meetings in Six Seasons

Montreal’s first Grey Cup win over Edmonton came in 1974, when Marv Levy’s Alouettes won 20–7 in Vancouver. Sonny Wade replaced Jimmy Jones and was named the game’s MVP. Sweet supplied all 12 of Montreal’s second-half points on field goals. The rematch in Calgary a year later began a stretch in which the clubs met in four of five Grey Cups.

Montreal won the 1977 rematch 41–6 at Olympic Stadium. The game became known as the Ice Bowl. In a Canadian Football Hall of Fame interview, Levy recalled learning that his players had used staples in their shoes for traction. The Hall credits defender Tony Proudfoot with the idea. Wade threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns, and Sweet kicked six field goals.

Edmonton reversed the result the following year. Dave Cutler kicked four field goals in a 20–13 win at Toronto’s Exhibition Stadium. It was the first of five consecutive Grey Cups for Hugh Campbell’s Edmonton teams. The second came in Montreal in 1979, when Warren Moon and Tom Wilkinson each threw a touchdown pass in a 17–9 win.

Calvillo and Ray Bring the Matchup Back

Montreal’s last title win over Edmonton came in 2002, on Edmonton’s home field. Anthony Calvillo connected with Pat Woodcock for a 99-yard touchdown. With Montreal ahead 18–16 in the closing seconds, Jeremaine Copeland returned Edmonton’s onside kick for another touchdown. The 25–16 win ended Montreal’s 25-year Grey Cup drought.

Edmonton answered 34–22 in Regina in 2003, with Ricky Ray throwing both of his touchdown passes to game MVP Jason Tucker. At BC Place in 2005, the clubs played the first Grey Cup to use alternating possessions in overtime. Each side scored a touchdown on its first possession. Sean Fleming kicked a field goal on Edmonton’s second, and the defense kept Montreal from answering. The 38–35 finish remained the clubs’ last meeting for the championship until this year.

All 11 Edmonton–Montreal Grey Cup Results

Montreal coach Jason Maas won the 2003 and 2005 titles as an Edmonton player. Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo threw the winning touchdown for Montreal in the 2023 Grey Cup. He now faces the club he helped win its most recent championship.

See the 2026 Grey Cup watch guide for the Canadian TV listings, free U.S. stream and halftime lineup.

Sources and notes. Results and sites are from the CFL record book and league archives. Photograph licensed CC BY 2.0.