And so it begins for another year of Edmonton Elks football. A lot has changed since late last year with their 75th season in the CFL. For the first time since their inception in 1949, the Edmonton Elks have now transferred from community ownership to that of Larry Thompson.

The local Edmontonian quickly established a front office and football operations leading up to the 2025 CFL season. To add to this, the City of Edmonton is a buzz right now for the second year in a row. They are in the Stanley Cup Finals vs. the Florida Panthers. Edmonton fans take pride in their sports, and the Oilers run deep in the DNA and fabric of their city.

The Edmonton Elks can be part of a proud fanbase that has been waiting for championships to return. And what better time could this be for the Elks if they reverse their fortunes from the past and transition into a winning culture.

The Elks will now focus their attention on heading out to the West Coast to square off with the BC Lions.  

Game Details

Date / Location:  Saturday, June 7th, 2025 / BC Place Stadium / Vancouver, British Columbia

Kickoff Time:  10:00 pm EST

Channel:  TSN / TSN+ / CFL+ / CBS Sports Network

Weather Forecast: 21 Degrees Celsius. Sunny.

Odds

Spread:  BC Lions – 5.5 (-115) / Edmonton Elks + 5.5 (-105)

Money line:  BC Lions – 265 / Edmonton Elks + 215

Over / Under:  Over 49.5 (- 105) / Under (49.5 (-115)

Via FanDuel Sportsbook

Edmonton Elks Depth Chart

BC Lions Depth Chart

Injury Report:  Edmonton Elks

The Elks will be without the services of DL Noah Curtis (Knee), TE Skyler Griffith (Knee), LB Oliver Muembi (Achilles), and OL Brett Boyko (Hamstring). Unfortunately for Noah Curtis, Skyler Griffith, and Oliver Muembi, all are listed on the 6-game injury list to start off the 2025 CFL season. Brett Boyko is currently listed as questionable.

Injury Report:  BC Lions

The BC Lions do enter week 1 with a fair bit of their roster on the injury list. LB Adam Acclair (Shoulder) will be out for this game, DL Tre Crawford (Leg) will be out for this game, OL David Foucault (Leg) will be out for this game, LB Maxime Rouyer (Hip) will be out for this game, LB Josh Woods (Knee) will be out for this game.

Players to Watch:  Edmonton Elks

Tyrell Ford:  The Elks pulled out one of the best steals in free agency by signing DB / CB Tyrell Ford.  It made it a lot easier for his decision knowing he would be with his brother Tre Ford with the Green and Gold.  After being cut from the Green Bay Packers during his NFL stint, he reported to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who held his rights in 2024.  When he suited up for the Blue Bombers, he made his mark instantly. He was one of the cornerstones in Winnipeg with 7 interceptions and 51 tackles.  The CFL quickly took notice of Tyrell Ford’s talents with his speed, athleticism, and vision for the field.  He can be a game-changer vs. the BC Lions.

Justin Rankin:  When he arrived in Edmonton last season, Justin Rankin made a strong presence on the offence. He played only 11 games in 2024. In his 11 games, he ran for 765 yards, followed by 5 touchdowns. He is a powerful running back who can control the clock and keep a defence on the field. If he gets in a rhythm, he can wear down your defence. There is no doubt that he will pass the 1,000 rushing mark this season.

Nathan Rourke:  He has struggled when coming back to the BC Lions after his two-year stint being bounced around practice squads from the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Giants, and the Atlanta Falcons through the NFL. The Nathan Rourke that we saw in 2022 was not the same in his return to the Lions. He will have a bounce-back year. The Elks know all too well that in 2022, he single-handedly shredded the Edmonton secondary at will with his passing abilities.

Micah Awe:  He is never the one linebacker that fans think about when fans name their top linebackers in the CFL.  He is a linebacker who has not produced a lot of quarterback sacks in his career.  But the one that a lot of football fans will say about Micah Awe is that he is one of the hardest hitters in the CFL.  He can change the momentum of a game with his textbook hits.

Keys to an Edmonton Victory

Run the ball

It was too little, too late last season in trying to secure a final playoff spot. The Elks also had the highest average amongst points scored, along with the best yards per game average in the running game. The Elks can make a lot of noise in this game with the duo-threat of Justin Rankin and Javon Leake.

Win the line of scrimmage battle

This works on both sides of the ball. The offensive line is better this year than it was last year.  The defensive line was a complete overhaul and is in the conversation of one of the best in the CFL in 2024. 

Prediction

The oddsmakers will be leaning towards the BC Lions, as it makes total sense. What owner Amar Doman has done with the BC Lions since he bought the team has created a winning culture.  It does not hurt at all to see more than 50,000 tickets sold when you have Snoop Dog performing a concert prior to kickoff.  

Things feel different now in Edmonton. No matter how you look at it, the Lions’ offensive line will have their hands full in attempting to hold off DL Jake Ceresna, DL Robbie Smith, DL Brandon Barlow, and DL Jared Brinkman.   

Final Score

Edmonton Elks:  28

BC Lions:  24

For the first time in what feels like a very long time, the Edmonton Elks will win their season opener.

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