The Edmonton Elks and Montreal Alouettes have arrived in Calgary ahead of Sunday’s 113th Grey Cup, with both teams preparing for the added attention and altered routines that come with playing for a championship.
The Elks left Commonwealth Stadium by bus Tuesday morning, beginning a week that will look considerably different from their normal game preparation.
Edmonton head coach Mark Kilam said the travel, media commitments and schedule changes will require players to adapt while keeping their focus on Sunday’s game.
“It’s a unique week,” Kilam said.
The Elks held a morning meeting Tuesday before speaking with media and leaving for Calgary, where more media availability awaited them after their arrival.
Kilam said the team would hold a short meeting Wednesday before returning to the practice field, with the focus on managing distractions while preparing to play.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo said players have to strike a balance between preparing for the game and enjoying the experience.
“You gotta walk this fine line between being prepared, and enjoying the week,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo is familiar with both the Grey Cup spotlight and Edmonton’s opponent. He won the championship with Montreal in 2023 and said he sought advice that year from veteran quarterbacks Ricky Ray and Travis Lulay about how to handle the buildup.
“You are going to get pulled in so many different directions, [there will be] a lot of media, there will be a lot more people focused on you, you [have] to find a way to stay in your routine as best you can,” Fajardo said.
“But you also can’t be focused on football 24/7. It’s very hard to get to the Grey Cup.”
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The Elks are making their first Grey Cup appearance since winning their last championship in 2015.
Edmonton finished first in the West Division with a 13-5 record after ending a five-year playoff drought. The Elks defeated the B.C. Lions 28-16 in Saturday’s West Division final.
Montreal finished first in the East with a league-best 14-4 record before defeating the crossover Winnipeg Blue Bombers 33-23 in the East Division final.
Alouettes head coach Jason Maas described Grey Cup week as the payoff from a season-long push toward a championship.
“It’s the excitement that the Grey Cup builds. It’s a year-long grind for us and it pays off and you get excited about the week and working towards a common goal for our organization,” Maas said.
For Montreal receiver Tyson Philpot, playing the championship in Calgary carries some added significance.
“[It’s] a cool feeling to know that I’m going to do a full circle moment and play my pro-championship in my college town,” Philpot said.
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Edmonton, meanwhile, is hoping the support it received during the West final follows the team south to Calgary.
More than 40,000 fans were on hand for Edmonton’s division final, with players describing getting chills from the crowd.
Kilam encouraged Elks fans to make the trip.
“So proud of Edmonton for showing up and so happy we could get it done for them,” he said. “We made it down here in two hours and a bit. It’s an easy drive, let’s go. Let’s pack this place and paint the city green and gold.”
Fajardo said he was also looking forward to hearing Edmonton’s travelling supporters on game day.
The Alouettes, meanwhile, are making their third trip to the Grey Cup in the last four years.
Edmonton and Montreal split their two-game regular-season series, with each team winning at home.
Both teams are scheduled to return to the practice field Wednesday as preparations continue for Sunday’s championship.
–with files from The Canadian Press
