Edmonton Elks clinch CFL playoff spot for first time since 2019

Photo courtesy: Edmonton Elks

The Edmonton Elks are headed to the CFL playoffs for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Green and Gold officially clinched a postseason berth with a 53-16 victory over the rival Calgary Stampeders on Saturday afternoon at Commonwealth Stadium. It marked their 10th win of the 2026 season, which makes it mathematically impossible for them to finish lower than fourth in the West Division, which would also result in a crossover spot this year.

Cody Fajardo made easy work of the Stampeders, completing 14-of-21 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns before giving way to backup Taylor Powell in garbage time. Joe Robustelli caught two touchdown passes, while Josh Cephus and Zach Mathis each had one of their own. Nick Anderson and Tyrell Ford snagged interceptions, and defensive lineman Silas Hubert blocked a punt for a touchdown.

“It felt really good. Three-phase win. This place was rocking tonight too,” said head coach Mark Kilam. “This place is gonna be a hard place to play in the playoffs.”

“It’s hard to beat a team twice in a row. It’s hard in this game. It’s a battle of attrition. They were losing guys early. We were losing guys. Just really proud of our football team for focusing on the task at hand and going out and putting a three-phase performance out there.”

Edmonton are the second team to punch their ticket to the playoffs this season, joining the Montreal Alouettes.

The Elks last qualified for the postseason in 2019, when they finished 8-10 and earned a crossover berth. They defeated Montreal in the East Semi-Final that year, but fell to Hamilton the following week. Head coach Jason Maas was fired after the team was eliminated.

The Double E have struggled mightily in the intervening years, going through five head coaches (Scott Milanovich, Jaime Elizondo, Chris Jones, Jarious Jackson, and Mark Kilam), four general managers (Brock Sunderland, Chris Jones, Geroy Simon, and Ed Hervey), three presidents (Chris Presson, Victor Cui, and Chris Morris), changing their name, and becoming privately owned for the first time in history.

Entering this season, the team had gone 25-61 over the previous five years. They currently sit alone atop the West Division, which, if it holds, would be their first first-place finish since 2015. That year was also the last time that Edmonton won the Grey Cup.

The Elks (10-3) will return to action on Saturday, September 19, when they visit the Toronto Argonauts (7-6).