Grey Cup Preview: everything you need to know about the event

By Luca Carolini

November 14, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

On the 16th of November, in Winnipeg, one of the most anticipated Canadian sport events will keep thousands of football fans on their toes: the 112th Grey Cup will be held at Princess Auto Stadium. For the third time in Canadian football history, the most important match of the season will see the Montreal Alouettes challenge the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a match both teams will be desperate to win. This is truly a date with history, because it is the last time the CFL game will be played with the current set of rules. Starting in 2026, the commissioner will implement some changes in order to make the sport slightly more similar to the NFL.

For the third time in Canadian football history, the most important match of the season will see the Montreal Alouettes challenge the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a match both teams will be desperate to win the Grey Cup

The Grey Cup is an important day in Canadian culture. Not only because in Canada they love football exactly as their Southern neighbours do, but because of the festival that lasts a week and finishes with the big game. This year, the theme of the festival will be Manitoban culture and the Anishinaabe will join in on the celebrations.

What do the bookmakers think?

 The main bookmakers covering the Grey Cup give the Saskatchewan Roughriders a slight advantage. However, the gap between the two teams is very small, suggesting that it will be a very evenly matched contest. For those who want to bet on the event, given the uncertainty of the final outcome, it might be useful to consult a list of offers analyzed here, so as to place the bet without risking any money. This certainly is a nice bonus, especially for the historians of the sport, who believe that the Alouettes will have their way in the game, as they did in 2009 and 2010, in their two previous finals against the Roughriders.

What shape are the Alouettes in?

The Alouettes feel they have one more win in them.

 Let’s see how fit are the two contenders. The Montreal Alouettes won the East Division after defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Crossover. They did it with a bit of luck and weren’t that convincing in the Division Final, but found a way all the same, and this is what matters most. The hero was José Maltos Dìaz, the kicker who scored the decisive kick with the wind blowing in his face and sent their teammates to the Grey Cup.

Dìaz said after that game that he usually trains that way, kicking against the wind, to sharpen his power and precision. The 45-yarder that gave the Als the East Division Cup was a beauty, especially because of the conditions it was kicked in: not only the wind, but also an environment with a sold-out Hamilton crowd supporting its Tiger-cats with all its might. After all, they love their team here as we have already written, in the past.

Davis Alexander, Montreal’s quarterback, felt like the main character in the movie 300, leading his teammates against the world and was extremely happy with the final outcome. Now he feels the Alouettes have one more win in them.

Can the Riders win the Grey Cup this year?

The guts shown by Rough Rider QB Trevor Harris are going to be a big factor in the game.

 The quick answer to the question is: Yes, they sure can. Saskatchewan has been the best team in CFL the whole season, despite all the injuries ravaging its receivers, because of the strategy put on the table by coach Corey Mace, the guts shown by QB Trevor Harris and all the back-ups stepping up big when asked. This offense seems pretty fit mere days before the final, but they will have to play against one of the most dominant defenders in the league, Montreal’s Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, the defensive end who is a natural born leader and tends to elevate the play of the whole unit when they are on the field. Should he and his partners slow the Riders’ pace, they may win it, maybe thanks to their great kicker, once again.

The Grey Cup is more than a game—it’s a national celebration. Fans from across Canada descend on Winnipeg, filling the city with music, food, and energy. Tailgates and fan zones offer a chance to meet players and sample local flavors, creating an electric pre-game atmosphere. For many, attending the Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where sport and culture collide. This year, Manitoban traditions take center stage, with Anishinaabe participation adding a meaningful cultural touch. On and off the field, the 112th Grey Cup promises to be an unforgettable showcase of Canadian football and heritage.

Montreal and Saskatchewan – will face each other for the Grey Cup on November 16th