The 2026 CFL season kicks off Saturday as Winnipeg heads to McMahon Stadium to take on a banged-up Calgary squad.
This Week's CFL Schedule
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Calgary Stampeders
| When | Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 1:00 AM ET |
| Where | McMahon Stadium, Calgary |
| TV | TSN (Canada) | CBS Sports Network (U.S.) |
| Line | Winnipeg -2 | O/U 48 |
Week 1 of the 2026 CFL season gets underway in Calgary, and there's plenty to unpack before the opening kickoff. Winnipeg comes in as a two-point favourite, but don't sleep on the Stampeders at home — Calgary went 3-1 against the Bombers last season after an 0-6 stretch in the head-to-head series, so there's real momentum in their favour entering this one. The injury reports on both sides are ugly enough to keep this game interesting, and the O/U of 48 feels right given the question marks on both rosters heading into Week 1.
The biggest storyline for Calgary: veteran kicker René Paredes has been transferred to the six-game injury list (groin), and the Stamps have elevated practice roster kicker Jude McAtamney to fill the void. That's a significant shake-up — Paredes is one of the most reliable kickers in CFL history, and an unproven replacement at the position could cost Calgary points in a close game. Winnipeg also has its share of walking wounded, including multiple defensive backs on the injury list, which could open things up for Vernon Adams Jr. and the Calgary passing game if he's sharp.
On the Winnipeg side, Zach Collaros needs just 17 passing yards to reach 36,000 for his career — a milestone he'll almost certainly hit in the first quarter. Brady Oliveira is four carries away from 1,000 for his career, and his next 100-yard rushing game would tie Jon Cornish for second-most by a Canadian. Those are the kinds of storylines that make Week 1 feel like more than just football — there's legacy on the line.
Players to Watch:
- Zach Collaros (Winnipeg, QB) — Needs just 17 passing yards to hit 36,000 for his career; at 89-54 all-time, he's the steadiest hand in the CFL right now.
- Brady Oliveira (Winnipeg, RB) — Four carries from 1,000 career rushes, and 62 yards from moving into fifth on Winnipeg's all-time rushing list past Gerry James (5,541); he's the engine of this offence.
- Vernon Adams Jr. (Calgary, QB) — One win away from his 50th career victory; with Winnipeg's secondary banged up, he has a real shot to put up numbers in the opener.
- Nic Demski (Winnipeg, WR) — The active CFL leader in receptions, six catches shy of 500 for his career; he'll be a safety valve for Collaros all game.
- Dedrick Mills (Calgary, RB) — Coming off a career-high 1,409 rushing yards last season (5.6 yards per carry); if Calgary's O-line holds up, he can control the clock and keep Winnipeg's defence honest.
Injury Watch: Calgary's Reggie Begelton (WR, knee, out) and Sheldon Arnold (DB, ankle, out) are significant losses — Begelton is one of their top receiving threats. Rene Paredes (K, groin, questionable/six-game IR) is replaced by Jude McAtamney. Winnipeg is without Cam Allen (DB, knee), Ethan Ball (DB, thigh), Lane Novak (LB, knee), and Jovan Santos-Knox (LB, ankle) — all out — gutting their linebacker and secondary depth. Major Williams (DB) is questionable.
Pick: Winnipeg 27-23. Calgary's kicker situation is too much of a wildcard, and Oliveira will grind out the win on the ground despite the Stamps' home-field edge.
CFL Standings
| Team | W | L | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal Alouettes | 1 | 0 | 30 | 27 |
| Hamilton Tiger-Cats | 0 | 1 | 27 | 30 |
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| Calgary Stampeders | 0 | 0 | — | — |
Quick Hits
- McAtamney steps in for Paredes: Calgary elevated Jude McAtamney from the practice roster after René Paredes was placed on the six-game injury list — a tough break for the Stamps heading into a tight opener.
- Winnipeg's defence is thin: With Cam Allen, Ethan Ball, Lane Novak, and Jovan Santos-Knox all ruled out, the Bombers are starting Week 1 shorthanded on both sides of the linebacker and secondary depth chart.
- Fantasy tip: Brady Oliveira is a must-start in Week 1 — he's four carries from a career milestone and should see heavy volume with Calgary's secondary capable of being exploited through the air too, keeping the run game honest.
- Collaros closing in on history: At 143 career starts and 89-54, Zach Collaros sits at a .622 winning percentage — he's 17 passing yards away from 36,000 for his career and should hit that mark on the first drive.
Standings | Full Schedule | League Leaders
Who wins this week? Drop your picks in the comments.