Winnipeg looks to go 2-0 at home Thursday night, but Hamilton needs a bounce-back win to stay relevant early.
This Week's CFL Schedule
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
| When | Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 8:30 PM ET |
| Where | Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg |
| TV | TSN | CBS Sports Network |
| Stream | Watch live on CFL+ |
| Line | Winnipeg -3 | O/U 51 |
Both teams are looking for separation early in the 2026 season, but they're coming at it from opposite directions. Winnipeg gutted out a two-point win over Calgary in Week 1 — a 30-28 grinder that showed the Bombers have enough to win close games even when they're not at their sharpest. Hamilton, meanwhile, dropped a heartbreaker to Montreal, falling 30-27 in a game they had every chance to win. The Tiger-Cats won't want to fall to 0-2 this early, but Winnipeg at home is a tough ask.
Bo Levi Mitchell was sharp in the loss — 34-of-39 for 307 yards — and Hamilton receiver Kiondre Smith hauled in six catches for 75 yards. The offense can move the ball. The problem is the Ticats couldn't get the stop they needed when it mattered most. On the other side, Zach Collaros went 17-of-28 for 233 yards and a touchdown, and Brady Oliveira ran for 113 yards and a score on 15 carries. That ground game is the engine. If Winnipeg can keep Oliveira rolling, Hamilton's defense is going to be in for a long night.
Players to Watch:
- Brady Oliveira (Winnipeg, RB) — Led all CFL rushers in Week 1 with 113 yards and a TD; the Bombers' offense runs through him.
- Bo Levi Mitchell (Hamilton, QB) — Completed 34-of-39 passes in Week 1 — that efficiency has to translate into a W sooner or later.
- Kiondre Smith (Hamilton, WR) — Six catches for 75 yards in the opener makes him Mitchell's go-to target; watch for him early and often.
- Zach Collaros (Winnipeg, QB) — Managed the game well enough in Week 1, but Winnipeg needs him to be more explosive here against a desperate Hamilton defense.
Injury Watch:
- Wynton McManis (Hamilton, LB) — Out (Knee); his single-game injury designation was extended, a real blow to Hamilton's linebacker corps.
- Jaiden Woodbey (Winnipeg, LB) — Out; transferred to six-game injured list, meaning he'll miss significant time.
- Jaylen Smith (Winnipeg, LB) — Out; placed on single-game injury list Wednesday, thinning Winnipeg's linebacker depth further.
- De'Shaan Dixon (Winnipeg, DL) — Out (Hamstring); the defensive lineman on the six-game IR hurts Winnipeg's pass rush.
- Nic Demski (Winnipeg, WR) — Questionable (Ankle); if he can't go, Collaros loses one of his most trusted weapons.
- Major Williams (Winnipeg, DB) — Questionable (Hip); worth monitoring given Hamilton's receivers showed they can get open.
Pick: Winnipeg 28-24. The Bombers have too much at home with Oliveira in the backfield — Hamilton covers but Winnipeg wins it in the fourth, and the total sneaks under 51 in a defensive second half given both teams' linebacker injuries.
CFL Standings
| Team | W | L | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Elks | 1 | 0 | 29 | 21 |
| Montreal Alouettes | 1 | 0 | 30 | 27 |
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 1 | 0 | 30 | 28 |
| Ottawa Redblacks | 0 | 1 | 21 | 29 |
| Calgary Stampeders | 0 | 1 | 28 | 30 |
| Hamilton Tiger-Cats | 0 | 1 | 27 | 30 |
Quick Hits
- Hamilton activated DB Devodric Bynum from the practice roster on June 10, a depth move that takes on added importance with the Ticats' secondary already stretched thin heading into Winnipeg.
- Winnipeg has placed five players on the six-game injured list since June 4 — including Jaiden Woodbey, De'Shaan Dixon, and Cam Allen — and activated Charles-Elliot Bouliane from the practice roster to help fill the linebacker void Thursday night.
- Fantasy tip: Brady Oliveira is a must-start — top rushing total in the league after Week 1 and facing a Hamilton front that couldn't stop the run consistently against Montreal.
- Brandon Banks officially retired as a Hamilton Tiger-Cat on June 4, closing the book on one of the most beloved careers in franchise history — the Ticats will be playing with that as motivation all season long.
Standings | Full Schedule | League Leaders
Who wins this week? Drop your picks in the comments.